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