TWW 29th March 2022

Meeting in the Mary Tavy Inn car park there was a quick count up and phone call to confirm places for lunch.  Then off we set down the hill, always a good start – down -though you do have to remember there will be some up!!

A meander along the lane and then off along the footpath by the stream and across the fields.  Passing the inaccessible stile to nowhere, then across the little footbridge then up the track – said there would have to be up!  Next excitement was the magic gate – a first for a TWW walk?  A quick salute to the house where the wonderful Crossings lived and playing dodgems with ferocious traffic and on to the safety of the open Moor.  Then more up! To the trig point on Gibbett Hill to survey the extent of the recently ‘out of control’ swaling and have a cuppa in the shelter of the old mine workings.  Mini birthday muffins were served, made with the help (?) of Maya. 😊

Down to more lanes (sorry Raz) to search for the GWR boundary markers, along past the interesting Smithy and cottages, through the village of Brentor and then more GWR markers and a view of the old station.  Back on to the Moor again to head through Mary Tavy with a quick wave to the Allotments to the Mary Tavy Inn.  We were joined by the ‘refugees’ from Hong Kong – the best birthday present you can have.  And, hurrah, baguettes were on the menu!!!!  And chips of course!

Jane

WW 23rd March 2022

The last dark evening walk for a while ...
North Hessary to Hollow
Right on time
The ISS soared overhead
Beautiful sky
Stars everywhere
To Yellowmeade
Foggintor to shelter
From the wind
For a cuppa

Windily Windily

Up and about

Back to the track

Where ...

The frogs were finding it cool

All lined up

Unable to move

Even saw a newt

On the way back

Lots of lovely

Evenings to come

TWW 22nd March 2022

 

DAFFYDOWNDILLIES, it's a sandwich word don't you know.

A fair old way this week, the intrepid trusting three, plus me, lured by a flat, beautiful walk by the river Teign, warm sunshine and miles of pale golden daffodils. Oh how we were lulled into a lazy spring walk. Mid morning break sitting amongst this piece of heaven, listening to birdsong, blissfully unaware of what was to come (apart from me, of course).

Leaving the reserve, small uphill to Clifford Bridge, we met a very happy group in their battery driven chariots, some very new models and others more antiquated. They looked so happy racing down hill. I think they were shouting Freedom! or maybe Daffodils!

Over the bridge to start the climb up and up, winding our way through various woodland, entertained by many varieties of butterflies, puzzled by dozens of nest boxes situated low down on trees and posts. Dormice surveys, maybe?

Finally, the track curved round and down, can't be right, our destination was still up! But did we give up? Of course not. Saint Jon the saviour of TWW, found a cycle track wending through the woods going up and up and managing to shorten our route by a good half mile and still came out where we should have!!

Mardon Down, strange flat piece of moorland and there it was, the headless cross, not a cross at all it turns out, but the Maximajor stone. Legend tells us a huge giant terrorised this place and the locals placated him by feeding him six ewes a day, crikey!! One day inevitably he was found dead and the villages buried him in a huge pit now know as the Giants Grave. Soon after he disappeared from his grave and a large upright stone appeared. So there you have it...... The Maximajor stone.

On we trekked, no longer uphill, through ancient pathways, passing a couple of handsome goats down to water crossing. (Ford to you Charlie) Hilarious laughter as we tried to walk on water, fairly successfully I might add. All straight forward until we hit the main road. Golly, golly eight miles done already what fun, so it was decided to shortcut through Bridford wood on a more leisurely path back to the car. We all piled thankfully in and Saint Jon drove us safely back home.

What a great adventure, someone thought we should do all again when the bluebells were out!! I wonder if it was tongue in cheek!

Brenda

WW 16th March 2022

 

After rather a grey old day, as promised the full moon was out in all its glory. A cool breeze welcomed us at Whiteworks to head down in the bright moonlight to cross the mire. The track bent us round to Goldsmith's and on up to the solid wall. Along the wall and then a nice neat path emerged to steadily wander us to Childe's Tomb. Fox Tor shone out above and soon we were sheltered having a nice cuppa. Keeping to the ridge looking out over the mire brought us down into Whealham Bottom. A bit of a wander before Hand Hill Cross popped out with the bright moon behind. Steadily down to the leat and along along back to the cars. In good time but even then we ended up locked in the Prince of Wales with Bill and a couple of others. After a nice pint we were let out.

A very fine evening to be out and about on the moor and, goodness me, how the days are drawing out.

TWW 15th March 2022

 

The blighting wind was reduced to a gentle breeze, there was no rain and plenty of sunshine just as I ordered.

Setting off from Bel Tor Corner along the inevitable Dr Blackwells Drive with its wonderful views down into the Dart valley, it seemed even deeper with the trees all bare. Around to cross the road and down to Leigh Tor for a cuppa sat on the rocks in the sun. Then down through the woods to the Dart with its lovely swimming pools, no one was game enough though. On past the impressive Spitchwick Lodge to follow the road and then tracks to Spitchwick Manor itself. Everything was looking very spruce and the cedar house is weathering in nicely. Finding the path to Lower Town ( a strange name for a farm so high on a hill) where a pony took exception to Brenda giving it pet names and was all for giving her a nip.

A short detour to Blackaton Tor where we sat on top amongst the gorse for a picnic in the sun. Next a visit to Leusdon Church was a necessity, before a fair bit of road past newly planted woods to bring us to Ponsworthy. Over the ford for the steep climb up to the open moor. Then just a gentle rise past Primm Cottage ( I wonder when that was last a permanent residence. ) with lovely views of the surrounding countryside it was back to the cars.

Enjoyed by all I think.

Mike

WW 9th March 2022

 

It was an up and down sort of evening.

Wet again, reluctant to leave the warmth of the car but it had to be done……

From Gunnislake Station - down - down - down, Stony Lane to the very full Tamar. Eyes down to spot a jolly patch of Purple Toothwort, very early. Eyes needed to remain down as we sploshed along the track to avoid stepping on little frogs testing out their new legs, very sweet they were too.

On reaching New Bridge we started up. Past the garage who seem to only deal in dead cars.

Up - Up through the woods to pop out among the houses of Lower Dimson - Up - Up to Middle Dimson then Higher Dimson. Lots of interesting old cottages and some bigger houses once lived in by the mine workers and mine captains working in the mines below I guess. We could have continued along the road but that would have been too easy - so Up - Up a steep but pleasant little footpath to Delaware. All these places now merge into the sprawl of Gunnislake but still have their own individual character, missed when driving past in the car.

Then into the warm and welcoming Rifle Volunteer where the conversation turned to dying and leaving ones body to science, some were too perfect to be treated thus, others too knackered.

Usual Wednesday Walk really.

Stella

TWW 8th March 2022

Nine intrepid walkers set out from The Olde Plough at Bere Ferrers (sadly closed on Tuesdays). We had Terry and Rosemary much in mind as her funeral had taken place the day before and this was the first walk that Terry had joined the full group for over a year ago – RIP both.

As we headed through the village and over the fields towards the Tamar, the weather was kind, if blustery, so we had good views up and down river just after high water (specially organised!)  Half the party continued to Thorn Point beach, which proved soggy. We were bemused by the sign “Danger, gas pipeline”! I wonder if we could have tapped into it to augment the non-Russian supply….

Coffee was late at 11.50, but much enjoyed. By then, the wind had really freshened. We toiled up Hanging Woods hill, emerging at the Tamar Winery (closed), a new functional building that doesn’t offend. We traversed various fields, crossed the ‘hump’ of the peninsula and stopped for late lunch in the woods – same place as with Terry, with Charlie doing his “we look down on them” act!

At this point, the rain began and a rather bedraggled party eventually emerged by the river Tavy. The leader suggested the riverside track was less muddy than the footpath – WRONG!

It was a good nine miles of varied scenery and far more wildflowers than I had predicted. Thanks to all for braving the wind and rain.

 Liz R

WW 2nd March 2022

 

“It was a dark and stormy night”- no hang on it wasn’t - there was still light in the sky as I drove to the RV, it wasn’t raining for a change, it was a clear night, and only a light breeze.

Just the two of us. Off under the amazing viaduct through plenty of mud and water. There were storm blown trees blocking the usual path, so it was through the wood to the wall corner above Horrabridge. A pleasant diagonal path led to the seat near the top of the hill, where there are panoramic vistas of the western margins of the moors, a stunning place to sit on a warm sunny day. Following the ridge path past Long Ash to find another seat for a cuppa whilst looking over the lights of the Walkham valley. Down and over Grenofen Bridge where the car park is worse than ever with huge pot holes full of water. Along the valley to cross Gem Bridge, always a joy, then diagonally down to the river path and back to the cars on a very muddy track. Just in time for a pint in the London Inn before it closed.

A jolly good walk on old familiar territory.

Mike

TWW 1st March 2022

 

Another 'proper Dartmoor weather day', but with what is going on in the world, any walking day on the Moor was welcome as far as we were concerned. Our RV was at the Warren House Inn, from there we started upwards keeping the King's Oven to our right to pick up the path over Water Hill and along Hurston Ridge. When originally walking this route it was a beautifully clear day with views to savour, alas today mist and low clouds were our constant companions with very limited distant navigation points, so the challenge was not to stray off path!
Eventually, along the ridge, a faint silhouette to our left indicated the boundary of Fernworthy Forest. This was reassuring, we weren't lost! We then soon came to the road that lead to the car park of Fernworthy Reservoir, the water level of which was topped right up unlike a past summer walk where the water level revealed lost structures. Taking the path to the reservoir dam, one of our more observant walkers spotted a classic hut circle and suggested it was a good spot for a cuppa - who was I to disagree!
Leaving the circle suitably refreshed we followed the path around the reservoir, past the cascading water over flow until it eventually came out to the main forest road that took us down to and over Sanderman Bridge before we turned right into the forest to start a long climb up to Assycombe, now in the drizzle that at least kept us cool as we heated up during this section of the walk. Light levels were fairly low here until we came to the path providing the way up the last part of Assycombe Hill to the Assycombe double stone row sited in the middle of a steeply sloping bank leading down to a valley below. Pictures taken, we now continued on the same path to a strongly constructed wooden gate separating the forest trees from open moorland.

The final challenge as the open moor wind and now rain lashed us, was to reach the Cairn on Water Hill, thankfully this was achieved, we were then in 'touching distance' of the Warren House Inn again, but this time we entered the main bar (with masks as requested by a pub sign) for some well-deserved liquid and solid refreshments.

Charlie