However three intrepid souls (mad old fools) joined me and ‘im in a force 70 Gale and driving rain to attempt the Two Moors Way circuit.
A quick photo by the cross in case there was not another opportunity and off we set on a backwards route on account of the weather. The paths had turned into streams or sticky, slippy mud as we headed up past Birch and on to be greeted at the road crossing by our lovely ladies of the moor. I was envious of their waterproof leather coats and long eyelashes. On up we slogged buffeted by the wind to reach the wall and at last to turn our backs on the wind as we headed to Shapley. Coffee time saw us in a hut circle which offered a little shelter.
Then……..the magic of the Moor happened. It stopped raining ………the sun came out! just as Phil had predicted.
On down through Shapley car park to meet the lovely old sunken road to Lettaford with its wonderful array of old tree roots where surely fairies live. We again picked up the Two Moors way through Jurston to Lingcombe. For sale when we were here last time now being gutted and rebuilt by a local lad from Horrabridge. A two to three year project we were told but nice to know it will be lived in by the owner unlike other houses we had passed. On reaching Hurston we followed the footpath back onto the open Moor. We again picked up the Two Moors way avoiding the boggy valley below and back to the cars, surprisingly still only ours in the car park.
You really should have been there. Not half as bad as expected in fact rather pleasant to have a proper Dartmoor walk with proper Dartmoor weather.
Maybe we’re not as mad after all.
Stella