WW 31st August 2022

 

A beautiful evening as we set off from Princetown car park. Out past the slowly developing distillery, it seems it takes longer to build a distillery than it takes to produce a malt. We took the higher moorland track to Foggin Tor Quarry with glorious views down towards the sound with all the tors clearly silhouetted.

Well Foggin Tor Quarry was certainly buzzing, a group of youngsters in 5 tents camped on the opposite rim, a further group camped in the quarry and a couple of families sat watching two brave souls swimming. An early coffee stop was decided on, which developed into a rather longer stop than usual so we could sit and admire the sunset.
It was then on to Hollow Tor and North Hessary and back down by torchlight to the pub. The Ice Warriors were huddled in one corner and a couple of very noisy drunks in the opposite corner by the bar whilst we quietly sat between supping our pints.
A lovely gentle walk at the end of a glorious summer.

Mike

TWW 30th August 2022

 

Apples, apples fill your bags, free apples from Anne's car boot! Well that's a different start to our walk from the Bellever/Postbridge CP, AGAIN!

That done off we trundled down the road and turned right by the pub on the track to Pizwell. Narrow at times, brambles scratching our knees, wide at others, plenty of blackberries (more free food) eventually arriving at the ancient tenement farm and longhouses that make up Pizwell. It exudes the calm that only ancientness brings! Good for the soul! Back to reality, on down the track over a muddy Pizwell Ford where some cows were ruminating, yes they are South Devon's not Ruby Reds.
I can't always be right!!
Carrying on to the gate crossing Cator Down, stopping for our coffee break and then on towards the Christmas tree reservation, so that's how they get them to grow so perfectly, blue tape!! Who'd have guessed it?
Short walk to the road  which we followed to the Sherwell  turn off following a path onto Corndon Down which was showing off its favourite colours of yellow and purple.
Turning down the valley to Fenny Ford crossing one of four Wallabrooks on Dartmoor, gingerly moving on the assorted cows desperate for a drink, and upwards towards Riddon Ridge.
Enjoying the views and getting hungry now, but first to find two boundary stones, not in the usual sense of the word, but the peat cutters boundaries within they were allowed to cut peat for their own use. One was dating from 1754 and one was someone with Raz's father's initials! Oooh eyrie that!
At last down down to Bellever Bridge and lunch by the clapper whilst young children were adventuring on the huge stones.
Very pleasant.
On the move again to follow the hay meadows, what a treat to see the four spot orb weavers (spiders) weaving their magical cleverness amongst the grasses. Never seen them before, but they certainly loved that spot
Onwards to cross a real bog, sphagnum that is, and the long grassy track and very steep steps towards the ultimate goal, yes the lovely stores with the best icecreams.
Could get used to this!
Brenda

WW 24th August 2022

 

Better than likely all things considered.

On rather a misty mizzly evening out from Norsworthy, up past the blowing house to the always lovely Lethertor Bridge. Round and up the track and across by Kneaglesborough Mine to pick up Raddick Lane. Bumpily upward to the open moor. All misty and glowery to a very low Crazy Well Pool. Where to next? Well the plan was to go up to Cramber to enjoy a lovely sunset. So what to do? Up to Cramber to enjoy a lovely sunset of course - silly idea. So up and amazingly a hint of a sunset did appear. In fact two sunsets one in the NW and another one in the N - how about that! Down the sheep tracks to the metal bridges over Hart Tor Brook and the River Meavy. By Black Tor Falls and along the leat. Into what is left of the woods and down as the light steadily ebbed. Good weather for frogs and there they were - or was it one frog who kept hopping ahead to reappear? The well logged track back to Norsworthy is super muddy now - no matter. And on to the very comfortable Burrator Inn for a soothing pint.

Once again, one of those evenings which just appears in front of you.

TWW 23rd August 2022

 

From a steamy Dartmoor to a positively tropical Wembury. No sun..just muggy heat !!

Seven walkers reported for this lovely coastal walk as recorded in front of the " Physically Fabulous" van with us looking physically fabulous !!! (As usual !)

We headed west along the blackberry lined coast path towards Seaweed Lane and headed up this old track on to Marine Drive which was the  access path to HMS Cambridge.

Very hot by now we paused to mop brows and admire the views from a fresh perspective towards misty Rame Head, Kingsand and Cawsand, as well as Fort Picklecombe and Mount Edgcumbe.

Onwards and due to heat thankfully downwards towards Heybrook Bay and along the coast to Renney Rocks and coffee stop.

A little stroll further to Andurn Point and Bovisand and a bit of a return loop with enviable views westwards before rejoining the coast path and a lower route to Wembury Point where the tide was filling the remains of the1920s Heybrook Bay Lido and on the shore beach combers were literally combing for ? seaglass ?

Down on to the shore line we walked via the old boat house and the jetty used once upon a time by pre war trippers to the Mewstone, past egrets and oystercatchers (80 other species spotted here..note to selves to bring binoculars next time ) and crunch crunch over rocky shelves, stones and sand past the low cliffs with periglacial history.

Hungry and still hot we rejoined the coast path and back to the unusually quiet tropical beach at Wembury (did someone say sewage ? ) Plenty of empty rocks for lunch perches and café open for good pasties, sandwiches, coffees etc. 

The surf was up and swimming,  paddling,  and seaweed hunting passed a further pleasant half hour or more . And some had ice cream !!

Hoping to go back soon.

Anne

WW 17th August 2022

 

Back to Minions for another Cornish walk. Unfortunately the leader had not had time to explore the local mines but never mind it was a clear evening so off we went to explore them anyway.

First of all we passed the wreck of the Cheeswring pub surrounded by fencing and now missing the remains of its roof, but no signs of any other work. It was then off down the track onto the route of the old mine railway that ran from Minions down to Liskeard, passing an isolated building that is up for auction and will require a lot of work to make it habitable.

Dropping down from the track onto the access land we then found our way to many of the old engine houses and mines that litter the west side of Caradon Hill. Apparently South Caradon Mine was for a short period the most productive and 

wealthiest copper mine in Cornwall, but it didn’t last for long. More information about the mines and many others throughout Cornwall can be found at www.Explorecornwall.org/South-Caradon-Mine.

After a brief coffee break, watching the horse and rider making her way out of the quarry, it was down into Crows Nest where we stopped at The Crows Nest for an alcoholic beverage sat outside. It was then the steep climb out of the valley

to head back to the cars. One of our number expressing their disappointment that we were not going to be able to see the Firework Competition in Plymouth, when there in the distance we were able to enjoy the display without being in the crowds on Plymouth Hoe.

You really do have to be there!

Peter

TWW 16th August 2022

 

Rocking horse poo is well known for its rarity, however pony poo was in great abundance at the Bennett’s Cross car park.  Undeterred by this and the light rain that started to fall, we assembled by the Cross for the obligatory “team photo”, before setting off along the Two Moors Way towards Hookney Tor.  Leaving the Two Moors, we ran the gauntlet between two rows of beehives before picking up the bridle way to Headland Warren Farm.  Thankfully the bees were in a good mood and paid no attention to us as we passed by.  A quick break to divest ourselves of waterproofs, and say hello to a rather haughty looking alpaca, then it was on down the valley to Challacombe.  Here we were greeted by three Gloucester Old Spots, who were clearly disappointed that there was no Brenda with us to scratch their backs.  A quick look under the bridge to make sure the troll was still sleeping, then on to the pond for a coffee stop.  Suitably refreshed, we carried on westward along the bridle way to Soussons Farm before turning north and heading through the woods to Golden Dagger mine.  Onward past Vitifer mine, and then a steady climb up through the mine workings back to our starting point.  A good walk followed by an equally enjoyable lunch at the Warren House Inn.

 Phil

WW 10th August 2022

 

It was quite uneventful really - we got mislaid in brambles and gorse - the leader fell in a big hole - we found a bigger hole that was used for testing atom bombs - Brenda dropped her knickers in front of the boys - then we went to the top, where children were enjoying a picnic party and a very little baby her first sunset - then we went to the quarry pond to look for leaches where two brave souls were swimming- then we went to the pub - then we went home. 

The end. 

Stella

TWW 9th August 2022

It was not windy, it was not raining, it was not even cloudy, and it certainly was not cold, when ten of us set off from Meldon Quarry car park. The heard instinct seemed to favour the wearing of various hats all round.

So it was up along the quarry wall then a short cut across country to the ford on Red-a-Ven  Brook where we stopped for a much needed drink to the sound of tinkling water. This is where the first tiny cloud appeared in the otherwise clear blue sky.

The next bit proved hard for some in the heat, 230m of climb to the top of Yes Tor where we had been forewarned about the clouds of insects on the summit rocks - they were there in force! On to High Willhays with a definite build up of cloud appearing above, but little let up in the temperature. Fordslands Ledge next for lunch. Both tors sporting there own clouds of insects - very unusual.

On down to Black Tor and the usually rather wet track to Langstone Hill. Steeply down past the old quarry to the cars. Now where are the ice cream vans when you need them!

A classic round on a summers day with few people about - can’t be bad.

Mike

WW 3rd August 2022

 

Time to go and check on Burrator. And it is low, low, low. That bit of rain we had today has had no effect at all. So over Yennadon, by the post and down by Click Tor to the dam. Lovely views out and over to Lether Tor. Round on the beach for a quick chat with the solitary goose. At Sheepstor Dam the recently emerged mud showed just how much the level must be falling day by day. Along the old road from Longstone to Narrator Farm and over the old bridge. To the earlier headwaters where a crossing was considered ... After a bit of a search a track out was found. Round and up the once muddy trail to the leat and back to the cars.

The very comfortable and welcoming Burrator Inn made a nice spot to end a very pleasant Wednesday walk. Oh - don't forget your torch from now on.

TWW 2nd August 2022

 

Just the most perfect weather for our annual, traditional walk out to Fur Tor.

Nice and mizzly at Lane End and the steady climb to Ger. The cleave was silent for a change as we headed round to Tavy Cleave Tors and by down to cross the Rattlebrook at Deadlake Foot - no problems today. Soon we were at Amicombe Hut for a pleasant cuppa. The horsey hut is well supplied with coal and water if ever there is a shortage. Round above the Tavy to Sandy Lake and another easy crossing. Steadily up seeking out the sheep trods to climb to Fur Tor which, somewhat reluctantly, emerged. Nice shelter from the breeze for our picnic. Soon time to brave the tussocks and head down, hopping across Fur Tor Brook with the flag pole providing a good aiming point. Few folk about today, a couple heading to Tavy Hole and a line of yompers yomping. On to the head of the lane and the tethering post. The lane windingly took us out and across to Standon Hill where the moor seems fully recovered from the lockdown fire of two years ago. Time for a snack then steeply down to cross the Tavy. Up and along by the leat and back to the cars.

A jolly nice day to be out walking with a cooling breeze and not too much of that sunshine stuff.