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