WW 27th July 2022

 

A gentle stroll to the top of Cox tor (long slog) to the top of the world to inspect the trig point (there was a deliciously edible one on the table at Saturday's BBQ) and to gaze at the truly magnificent views.

Looking towards the cairn and pillow mounds something strange was spotted. Another architectural structure. Closer Inspection was needed, a clever bit of engineering skills had built a stone stack beautifully balanced. Very clever. Let's hope DNP allow this to stay. Its not ye olde original Dartmoor ya know!! ⚽

Over to Beckamoor Dip to gaze at the shallow muddy pool, very much depleted. How can that be we wondered, its usually overflowing and seen in murky mist.

Reaching Roos was so easy no darkness or fog to hinder us. The flag was up waving its warning, can't think why, no sound or movement, just us slurping our drinks. ⚽⚽

Wind was a bit chilly, so we were off to the majestic Great Staple tor, what a landmark that is. Down to Middle Staple and then little Staple, what a trio. The cars were in sight and we scattered in different directions to meet up by the roadside. Funny how walking gets faster when the pub is the next destination!

Back to the Whitty for whatever we fancied and a good chat. ⚽

Short and sweet but satisfying.

Brenda

TWW 26th July 2022

  

Such a lovely day, if we weren't all retired it might have even been like a holiday.

Over on the bouncy ferry and up to the house. Round and by where the little fire engine used to be and past the camellias. Over the top where the grass is pretty parched to find the location of a Peace Vase - 6,200 of them to be buried all around the world. On to Maker Church - a fine viewpoint. Down through the fields of oats and sweetcorn to wend our way up to Maker Heights. All most interesting with geodesic tents set up to support holidays for those living with autism. By the barracks where lots seems to be going on, to The Canteen in the Nissen huts. Most politely stopped for a quick coffee and flapjack but one just could not resist a full meal. Down and by to Kingsand and Cawsand where the summer hols were in full flow. Two brave souls went for a swim while others succumbed to fish and chips. Back along the coast by the Picklecombe folly for a photo (again). The black bees were certainly buzzing and by then we had missed the 4p.m. ferry. Just what can we do? Have an ice cream of course! The next ferry duly arrived and we had a nice bouncy trip back to the mainland.

A jolly nice day out indeed.

WW 20th July 2022

 

A good turn out for a Wednesday, the famous five set out on an adventure in the direction of Doe Tor, but a circumnavigation following  Doetor Brook was the order of the day. A stop at Wheal Frederick ruin for coffee, Jon declared he had never seen it in fine weather before, only in the dark, wet or both. It was then round Rattlebrook Hill wandering at the tin workings - how did they dig out all that ground by hand, and where did they put all the waste? maybe they actually built Rattlebrook Hill. Dicks Well - glad he is feeling better (been dying to get that in for ages). On to Great Links for wonderful views and a fine sunset, we are so lucky to experience these things. On down to Arms Tor with the sun still doing its thing, and so back to the cars. It was decided on the ever reliable Mary Tavy inn for a pint where we were lucky to catch extra time in the woman's football an impressive display by England to take us through to the semi finals.

What a brilliant evening.

Mike

TWW 19th July 2022

 

Four seasons in a sacred place

Four seasons in one day

Lying in the depths of our Dartmoor

Worlds above and worlds below

The sun shines on black clouds hanging over Bellever Tor

Even when your feeling warm

The temperature could drop away

Like four seasons in one day.

We just about circumnavigated what's left of Bellever Forest, taking in the carved wooden clock where time has stood still, the poor, tatty old squirrel forever gazing at the acorns he will never reach, and the cist and cairn which was the last resting place for some ancient Briton.

We passed new saplings growing fast hiding the unsightly stumps of trees cut down for financial gain. Reaching the old wall on the southern end of the forest and following it round up round the back end of the tor (as it were) dark clouds were gathering as we had our coffee break.

Rain started to fall and the god of Thunder rumbled his displeasure. Maybe he took umbrage at the sight of one of our eccentric walkers in full summer walking gear and an open umbrella!! It's the Welsh in 'im you know.

Through the normally very boggy bit (but very dry today), down a deer path through the woods, and down the track to the beautiful river Dart and all picnic areas. Getting warmer now. Just right for lunch some of us had a paddle and a "sit down" whilst others watched the wildlife and listened to the sound of a rather benign and depleted river Ahhhhhh a little bit of utopia!

We ignored the noisy teenager!

Getting warmer again now we wended our way up through the flower meadows and into the shade of gnarled ancient trees. Crossing the Bellever road to find the track that leads back to the cars. Phew that was nice but the best was yet to come. Ice-creams! Only the best of course, from Postbridge Post Office

What a lovely way to end a walk.

Brenda

Thanks to Crowded House who released the Four Seasons song in 1991 and me who ruined it.

WW 13th July 2022

 

A perfect summer's evening.

To set out from the Scout Hut to head steadily, steadily up to Eylesbarrow. Plenty of clouds and a sun strong enough to force its way through. Gently, gently over to Higher Hart and a nice spot for a cuppa. Down to Drizzlecombe, the standing stones and Giant's Grave. Through the bracken and the spoil tips to a very tiny Plym. Over the ford by Shavercombe Tor, along the old leat to Shavercombe Falls. Barely a trickle but very pretty nonetheless - the sycamore tree seems to be thriving. Up and out and over and down toward Ditsworthy Warren with the sun very reluctant to set. Round and by Edward's Path as the sun dipped between Gutter Tor and Sheepstor (I have never seen that before). At the Scout Hut some soldiers were limbering up (standing about chatting) for a night exercise. Not much chance of that as the full Buck Moon was soon to rise. 

On to the Royal Oak, where a few locals were propping up the bar, for a very nice cooling pint. A most pleasant evening to be out.

TWW 5th July 2022

 

Four bridges and a fording

A small crew assembled at West Devon business Park and luckily the good old Peugeot Partner managed to accommodate all five. On arrival at Stickelpath there was a lovely surprise to find Mike Leek waiting for us. From the back of Finch Foundry it was down to the Taw River and over bridge no. 1. Then a beautiful shady walk along Belstone Cleave, passing Ivy Tor and crossing bridges 2, 3, 4 to arrive at Belstone Green.
Diagonally across the green to follow the road a short way past Terry's favourite tractor to Bernard’s Acre to follow the Taw once more past the water works building and the bubbler to the ford. An easy crossing in shallow water lead us to a gentle uphill track to the stone circle below Little Hound Tor. This was to have been our lunch stop but by now a chilly breeze had sprung up so we nestled in a nearby gully.
Now the best way to tackle a big beast is to take it by surprise from behind:- so that is what we did, over Little Hound Tor and the gentlest way up to the top of Cosdon Beacon. It was then downhill all the way back to the cars.
Enjoyed by all it seems.

Mike