No rain , not too much sun , and no need for gaiters !!
0r was there ? The risk of an unreccied walk....
Eight set off promptly through the village , past the school , and on to "aneverbeenherebefore" footpath. A forgotten mobile prompted a retired officer of the law to make a jogging return to his vehicle whilst the waiting seven peeped and peered at views through the hedges at Blachford.... one of the four manors of Cornwood ( Cholwich, Fardel,and Delamore the others). A large carp pond from a self sufficient era shimmered ...maybe it was the lake enlarged for USA troops to practice tank landings before fated WW2 events on Omaha Beach in Normandy.
Group reunited and the trek up to East Rook Gate took on a very watery theme and those with gaiters were a little drier !! Eventually "Carry on up the River Rook'' lead us to a rocky droving lane with magnificent granite walls, twisted oaks and the sound of rooks overhead. Open moorland now, a freshening breeze, stunning views east across to Dendles and Stalldown, whilst closer, the grassy outlines of an abandoned farm.
Off west towards Cholwich and with the granite strewn grassland unlikely to easily yield a firm sighting of Rook Tor itself, a rocky hollow around an old holly tree was our coffee stop with views as far as the sea. Next our route continued west parallel to the lengthy stone wall and eventually dropping down and around towards Cholwich Town, through the mossy woods and on to the china clay tracks by the blue lakes. The ancient Cholwich Manor almost engulfed by clay works.
Easy track walking now down into Newpark and Sheraleers Woods,across Heathfield Down but not over the new bridge and footpath which sadly was closed due to misuse by dog owners.
The community run Cornwood Inn proved a very pleasant lunching place with lovely food but no Rook Pie on the menu !!
Anne