WW 26th January 2022

 

The Bells the Bells! Wednesday must be practice night everywhere.
We heard them in Calstock, now a single doleful bell tolled as we walked up through the fields to the Church and what a beautiful Church it is and what nice people bell ringers are. A bit short tonight to ring all six bells. Where were you when you’re needed Phil and Jane? Practicing elsewhere I guess.
We carried on over the first style to cross the fields to the wonderful old lane of many granite styles. The pixies were out moving things in the dark again so there was a bit of wandering about
Before we emerged out onto the Moor. With the compass set due east we eventually found the Pit. Not much of a pit but a pleasant place to stop for a coffee and be serenaded by the Bells of Sampford Spiney. Then following the railway line to find the snow track above Horseyeatt. Missed at first, those pesky pixies had been at it again.
On down through Welltown and along the Black Brook back to Walkhampton. The pub was rammed, quiz night apparently as well as bowls in the village hall!  It all happens on a Wednesday evening in Walkhampton. So we went to the ever open and comfortable Dousland.
Quote of the evening “I married you, not a dog”??.  Nice to know as I can sometimes be a bit of a bitch!
 
Stella

TWW 25th January 2022

 

We started in Bellever Forest but there wasn’t much forest left - huge swathes of trees have been felled and it seemed very naked.  We crossed the clapper bridge then turned down a lane towards Pizwell.  At Pizwell Farm we were delighted to see some proper little pink piggies who were very happy to see us but were a little shy and not really up for ear scratches.  Carrying on from the farm we crossed stepping stones and Jane did good on her New Year’s resolution by virtually bounding over the stones without any fear at all.  A plod over Cator Common to the road and tension was building with the walkers who were getting very thirsty indeed and in need of tea!  Just a few minutes more and we were at Cator Bridge and had a pleasant sit by the stream.  Repairs to the bridge are being undertaken and scaffolding has been set up on one side providing a great platform for Jon and Raz to sit and sup their tea.  Unusually Cator Bridge has rectangular openings which are quite different from the curved openings on other bridges on Dartmoor - it was pointed out that it was probably originally a clapper bridge which was then built up.  After tea we carried on over Bellever Bridge and then up to Bellever Tor for lunch.  It was bitingly cold so lunch was brief.  Instead of walking back to the car via the forest track we went via Lakehead Hill and Krapps Ring where we saw cairn circles and cists and hut circles.   All in all, around a 7 miles walk.  No sunshine but no rain and no wind - result!   

Walking today:  Peter C, Charlie, Phil & Jane, Raz, Jon, Brenda, Anne and Dianne.

WW 19th January 2022

 

What a truly magical evening.

As we arrived in the car park the Wolf Moon was gently rising by Little Staple. It was rather shy at first but still gave us plenty of light to follow the track to Little on to Middle and up to Great. A small wibble and on to Roos - always a fine spot for a cuppa with views afar. Round the track and by the mine to Beckamoor Dip. And then, as we threaded our way through the thufurs up to Cox, the skies cleared and all the stars shone out. Particularly impressive was Orion, along the belt to Aldebaran and to the totally wonderful Seven Sisters. No need for torches to slowly wend our way back to the cars.

On to the ever reliable Whitty - but it was shut. Never mind The Market Inn will oblige, but it was shut as well - just what is going on? So more on to the Spoons - open as ever. For a most pleasant pint of Ruddles for 99p. Now just why are those other pubs shut? A mystery to me ...

TWW 18th January 2022

 

From the Fox and Hounds, up the track to Nodden Gate.  Then northwards, along the King Wall, to the King Wall Cross.  After a quick look at the cross, we changed course and headed up, up, up, to the top of Great Nodden.  After a break to enjoy the views, and a team photo, we headed north to pick up the course of the tramway to “the points”.  Here was an ideal place to get out of the cooling breeze and stop for a brew.  Suitably refreshed, we headed on across Lake Down to pick up a path down to the Lake Viaduct.  On reaching the viaduct, we were met with the sad sight of a flock of sheep six of which were dead, possibly killed by dogs.  A quick phone call to notify the livestock protection officer before we continued along the Granite Way to Bridestowe Station.  A short stroll up the road, and we were back at our starting point, and lunch. (And for those who missed out, the chips were excellent J !)

 Phil

TWW 11th January 2022

 

Dark mists surrounded nine keen walkers at Leeden Tors carpark.

It was mild, not windy, and not really raining. But it was really misty. Again !!

After a few minutes of murky plod we crossed the road at Goad Stone pool and the very depleted stone row.

As we ascended the shoulder of land between Sharpitor and Peek Hill an element of light began to clear our view. Past the DPA stone and onward to the shortish longhouse. Then up to Peek Hill and remnants of RAF Sharpitor and the fascinating ROC bunker.

Now down to the beautiful (OS map unmarked) Lowery Tor to have a cuppa and watch the mists dissolving over Burrator Reservoir.

Next down the windy path into the quarries of Lowery Stent. Here a couple of sett makers benches  found and then more as Team TWW got their eyes in to the tell tale piles of chipped granite. Maybe 7 or 8 benches discovered. To be explored further another day.

Through the lovely mossy oaks to join the leat and old meadows of Lowery Farm. Following the leat on to Stanlake and its complex walls of history from Bronze Age to 1930's.

Team TWW again coming up trumps to find the Stanlake secret stone row incorporated into the main boundary wall near Black Tor.

Up to Black Tor for lunch and stunning views as sun emerges gilding far horizons of English Channel. 

Last leg of journey across to Leedon Tors and back down to a now mist free carpark.

Anne

WW 5th January 2022

 

A short walk around the woods of Morwellham on a clear evening for a change.

We set off along the track to Newquay. No not that one, it was a New Quay built to take the extra 30,000 tons of copper ore from the local mines that couldn’t be handled by the Quay at Morwellham. The little electric train which takes visitors into the George and Charlotte mine, not used since the beginning of Covid looked sad and abandoned maybe not to be used again. We explored the lime kilns and abandoned building of what was once a thriving industrial village with a pub and blacksmiths shop. Back through the woods and along my favourite little path through cut out rock covered in moss and lichens and past huge old oak trees and badger sets. Then a little illegal exploring to look at the reservoir which now holds water from the diverted Tavistock Canal to feed the hydroelectric plant below. Back under the barbed wire to regain the path along the canal built in 1817 to bring the barges of ore and lime to look at where it emerges from the 1.75 mile tunnel under Morwell down. Those Victorians engineers knew a thing or two.

A pleasant splodge through soggy leaves and the twinkling Christmas lights of Morwellham soon came into view and back to number 10 for mulled wine and nibbles. A lovely evening wander and chat with your mates, what could be better.

Stella

TWW 4th January 2022

 Absolutely! Now that was a chill wind blowing in from the north. Still everyone had all the gear so off we set from the Scout Hut. Up to Whittenknowles to the threshing floor and on to seek the terrace of longhouses. Over the leat and across the Thrushelcombe Brook to the largest of menhirs at Drizzlecombe. Bending round above the Plym took us steadily out of the wind to find a nice spot by Plym Steps for a cuppa as the sun gently made its presence felt. Round and under to Evil Combe and up to pop out on the track. A wee bit of twiddling found the track up to Eylesbarrow with views afar. From where the wonderful PCWW stones led us back to the cars. 

We certainly had the best of the day and a very nice wintery start to our walks for 2022.