WW 23rd February 2022

 

Goodness me they are taking a lot of timber from Burrator.

Out from Norsworthy Bridge on quite a pleasant evening to wander up the track to Raddick Lane. Out and across to Crazywell and on to the cross. Newleycombe Cross soon peeped out and round the leat to Hutchinson's. Over to Seward's and back along to seek out the Hingston row. Over Down, Little Down, Snappers and Middleworth tors. A nice quiet, cool evening to be out and about. The moor seems to be resting getting ready for Spring to spring.

TwosdayWW 22.2.22

 

With the storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin having finally departed, we might have thought we could safely consign the waterproofs to the rucksack this Tuesday.  Not a bit of it.  The weather was clearly in the mood for some fun at our expense.  We had barely left the car park at the Fox and Hounds, heading towards Doe Tor, before the first drops arrived, borne in on a freshening wind.   True, the amounts were not great, but they made their presence felt.   By the time we had crossed the Wallabrook, visibility was not good and the wind was blowing hard.  It was just as well that there was no firing today, because had there been, flags would have been invisible beyond tens of metres.   Upwards we went, to suddenly find  Sharp Tor looming out of the mist above us - a welcome sight because we could find shelter in the lee of a big rock for a cuppa.   What followed was a character - building plod of a kilometre or so across the expanse of sodden tussock grass, with the gale force wind and rain buffeting every step.  Of wild life of any sort there was no sign up here - much too sensible for that!  In due course Dick’s Well was reached and we started our descent, increasingly sustained by the thought of triple-cooked chips, for which the Fox and Hounds is justly famed - by us at any rate.     On down past Arms Tor, where we emerged from the clouds, across the ford and on to the pub.  By now, calm reigned.  The sun suddenly and briefly put in an appearance.  Were we being mocked by the weather?   It seemed so.  But no - it was simply another typical Dartmoor day - thoroughly enjoyable!

PeterC

WW 16th February 2022

 

Another night of murk, mizzle and mud. Never mind

Three of us met up, me, 'er and one other. We didn't have clue where we were going, but nevertheless we followed a rocky track until we came up against a raging torrent of unknown river. In true pioneering style we took a leap of faith yelling "go for it" in unison, and landed safely on the other side.

Onwards and upwards to the tallest tor without any effort what so ever, (if only) only of course to run down again like three young gazelles. I don't know how we do it!!

Suddenly the fab moon showed itself between the swirling clouds and showed us the way to the pub that is always open, warm and very cheap beer on sale. Perfect!

We put the world and ourselves to rights until it was time to go home.

We were out the door and zoomed off in different directions to our warm comfy homes.

All good fun!

PS

Dear Mr Coupland, sir, Can we do a zoom walk every Wednesday evening.

Please, please.

Brenda

TWW 15th February 2022

 

What I thought was going to be a simple walk today when planned in bright sunshine turned into a 'proper' Dartmoor with visibility down to 50m and less at times meaning no handy navigational points for our navigationally challenged leader - me!

Starting in driving rain from the RV at Cox Tor car park we set towards the base of Little Staple then upward topping Middle and Great Staple towards Roos Tor with the rain and limited visibility our constant companions. 

Now came the tricky bit after our hot drink stop on Roos, finding the right path to our next landmark, the standing stone within sight of White Tor. On my sunny planning walk, no problem, the path was as clear as day. Not today though! However, it did allow us to explore the bog hinterland of the upper reaches of the River Walkham, there wasn't a dry foot in sight by the time we followed the range marker posts to reach the standing stone thanks to some outstanding eyesight within our group -, not me, one of whom even spotted a departing mouse from our footsteps! Also spotted was a large hare, that disappeared into the mist in the blink of an eye.

From the stone, we headed up to the top of White Tor for our picnic, thankfully eaten without rain, but still no view due to the ever-present mist.

Picnic over, down to Stephen's Grave, and onward to the three small stream crossings at Wedlake. Safely across and past Wedlake we were now flagging a bit so it was decided to skirt around Cox Tor instead of going over the top. This change of route was to prove very beneficial for one of our group - I'll leave you wondering on that point for another day!

Back to the cars with no rain and improving views, we all felt we had had a proper walk today!

Charlie

WW 9th February 2022

 

MUD and MORPHING

Mud mud, glorious mud

Nothing like it for cooling the blood

Follow me, follow

Down in Bellever Forest

And there we shall wallow in mud, glorious mud.

Well what a mess greeted us as we walked the hairy hand path going towards Lakehead Hill. Plenty of the above and all the debris left from the tree clearings.

Following the track by the tree line looking for signs of carved animals. None to be found, gone to ground! On on then round the southern backend of the ever/over popular Bellever Tor, only to climb up it and settle down to gaze into the darkness with our beverage of choice.

Ahead, on the horizon, was a huge dark tor like mound surrounded by an even larger dark orange glow. It morphed from Leather Tor to the Snowdon Horseshoe. Mesmerising! And no, there was nothing in our tea! 'Twas the magic of Bellever!!

Down towards the forest proper, past the bench, thoughtfully placed, and on to the track towards the mud and debris.

Raz, being Raz found lovely planks of wood, just right for his next project, carrying them under each arm. No wonder someone was reminded of Fred Flintstone!

We all looked forward to a refreshing beer, but horror and disbelief soon followed.

The POW was in darkness!

No BEER!! 🍺

What IS the world coming to?

Brenda

TWW 8th February 2022

 

A grey but dry morning saw us set off from the forest car park at Postbridge, down the road for an obligatory photocall on the clapper bridge.  Across the road and through the meadow to the “bamboo gate” by Hartyland.  Onward and upwards to Hartland Tor, and a debate as to which lump of rock is actually the summit.  Continuing northwards, we soon reached the beehive hut.  An ideal spot to stop for a brew.  Suitably refreshed, we headed west along the north bank of the East Dart to the waterfall.  Here some managed to cross the river with dry feet, while others opted for a paddle.  A gentle climb to Broadun Rocks where we were greeted with the sight of a military plane undergoing low altitude flying practice.  Downhill to Braddon Lake, then on to the drove lane, and back to our starting point.  A classic walk.

Phil

WW 2nd February 2022

 

A walk to the Stara Community Woodland can never start from anywhere but the hidden car park in Rilla Mill.

We have visited the woodland 3 times now and there are always changes as the volunteers carry out their work, this time it was a new lifebuoy on the river bank. But I am jumping the gun, it was first a climb up to the top of the woodland passing  snowdrops as we went. After descending back into the woodland 2 of our number had to go for a bounce on the bridge, there are no swings here!

We then crossed the County Bridge to follow the river into Rilla Mill, where we crossed the road and then started the procession of many different Stiles as we climbed up the bank to make our way to Sutton. Here we also had to battle with the bamboo and low hanging branches between the 2 stiles to avoid walking through the farmyard. Down the hill for another river crossing and along the valley climbing towards the Ladder Stiles, which as they were adjacent to gates we were able to avoid as they were covered in brambles. It was down to Plusha Bridge to cross the river again, a short climb through the fields past the only bench, through the remains of the dog training area and back to Rilla Mill.

Straight to The Manor House Inn, a proper pub, which was warm and welcoming before returning to the cars by the woods where the final climb brought us back to the hidden car park.

Not only a walk but an exercise class with all those stiles, 14 I think.

TWW 1st February 2022

 

It was good to see no fly tipping at Blackaton Cross for a change. Heading off past Big Pond as usual, now fenced off (they really don’t want people swimming in it do they). Following the leat north round a small overgrown pond complete with ravens nests past a rather nice stone circle and row. Up to Great Trowlesworthy Tor and then across to Little Trowlesworthy where the amount of work put into dressing  large pieces of granite is amazing considering they were never used. Now down to Spanish Lake (I love that name - it isn’t a lake and it isn’t Spanish) to follow the leat in the Plym Valley. One of our knowledgeable members said this was the most populated area in Europe at one point in the past and there are certainly a huge number of antiquities about. A brief stop for a coffee in one of the farmsteads near Hentor Brook, then a bit of a tough section across Hentor Meadow to find another Farmstead with a lovely granite trough and what appears to be a cist complete with capstone in place and small cairn on top. (see Phil’s photos on Whatsapp) Hen Tor next for a regroup then back across Lee Moor passing a settlement of many hut circles. Crossing Spanish Lake again to find some rather humpty tumpty squishy squashy ground with no tracks until we reached the clay works and the track back past Big Pond. A little late back to the Royal Oak where we were given a warm welcome and some truly gargantuan meals - the only thing to do was go home for a snooze.

Mike