TWW 25th October 2022

 

A select group of five set out from Shipley Bridge, being half term others were on Grandparent duty. We headed North along the road by the fast flowing river, once a tramway to transport peat from Red Lake. Turning left at the junction we soon left the road and headed up to the ridge of Brent Moor past settlements and field systems. The whole area is covered with relics of past industry.

Our next point of navigation, the iconic submarine shape of Eastern White Barrow was lost in the mist, however due to the leader's superb navigation skills we got there for a windy coffee stop. Heading for Western White Barrow we made our way through the pits and spoil heaps left by tin miners. Western White Barrow or Whitaburrow started life as a Bronze Age cairn but was converted into a cosy shelter with two rooms and a slate roof by peat cutters working for the naphtha distillation plant.

The mist cleared and we had lovely views of wild moorland all around. Ahead the huge spoil heap of Red Lake Quarry and to the north the pillow mounds of Huntington Warren and prehistoric hut circles and enclosures.

Heading down to join the two moors way we discovered more recent relics of what seemed to be settlement tanks for china clay. On down to the beautiful little clapper bridge, a perfect lunch spot, then down came the rain which followed us back along the river to the Reservoir and Dam and the road back to the car park where we were joined by families of Tamworth pigs routing about under the oak trees. Then joy of joy the Coffee Van was there. Hot chocolate was just what we needed.

A very nice day out.

Stella

TWW 18th October 2022

 

Dartmoor is sulking today, and has covered herself in a thick grey blanket. Nevertheless off we went, at a fast pace, a little late due to a mishap with my car keys. Upwards across Shapley Common, admiring the outstanding hut circles, those that we could see. In the gloom pairs of horns menaced us, thank goodness only the docile faces of the much photographed highland cattle. Shapley tor seems to have boulders strewn about haphazardly with the tor itself very small but handsome

Upwards again towards the more impressive Hookney tor where we stopped for a coffee, strangely overlooking the lovely Headland Warren views denied us by the mist. We looked at the faces on the tor itself. They also gazing stonily out into the mist.

Break over, where now? This way? That way? My carer and I decided the other way, so we zig zagged down to Kings Barrow. We gazed down into a long looted grave, hoping for something.....but nothing. No help with the cost of living there!
Zigging and zagging  over Heather Brake we finally reached the lane into Heathercombe and the post depicting the three fishes etc .Two more around somewhere but not today. Turning on to the Mariners' Way, past the beautiful cottage (longhouse maybe)with its very colourful crab apple tree and very handsome horse in the paddock.
Up through the arboretum, interesting if plenty of time to investigate.
Time is getting on now, many fields to go, many striking fungi to see, flocks of inquisitive geese encountered, the bull's head staring balefully, daring us to climb the stile into farms at Hookney.
A local farmer and his wife helped us on our way when his herd of young bullocks bounced happily into our path. So nice to see them in a field not a barn.
Finally to another ancient tenement, Higher West Combe and Lower West Combe, collectively known as West Combe Farm. Such an interesting place and with an interesting selection of fowl.
Very little time now, onwards to catch a glimpse of the very disguised Leapra Cross and steeply upwards to the cars.
Who would get to the dependable Warren House first? No idea.
Apparently though late our timing was spot on, the coach parties had just left, therefore no queues and we were lunching well in no time at all Aaaaah!
Dartmoor was still sulking !!

Brenda

WW 12th October 2022

 

Somewhat grey, misty and drizzly at the golf club. Off the first tee and down round the old mine workings. Steadily across the down searching searching - none about at all. Finally the parasols started to appear and jolly fine too. Must be exactly the right conditions for them as there were lots and lots. No signs of those fingers though. Over all the roads and uppety up to the trig point for a nice cuppa. The mist eased as did the drizzle to cross a very busy A386 - Goosey Fair I guess. Tracks took us back along the other side of the road to seek out Roborough Down Lane and head out to find the fairway. Soon we were walking on the beautifully coiffed grass and up to the top of the course - 200m! Back over the road and on to a very quiet Rock. Another very very mild evening. 

TWW 11th October 2022

 

A true classic

On a super duper morning

Out from Whiteworks

Only a few clouds

Just a gentle southerly

Across the wonderful mire

Up to Goldsmith's

Onward to Little Fox

Along to Fox for a cuppa

Black Lane Post

Following the soft path

By the next post

Round to the letter box

For an early lunch

The ducks are still there

No need to navigate

Just aim for the mast

To find Plym head

Hand Hill Cross

Back to the cars

How nice

WW 5th October 2022

 

Who says there is never anything new on a Wednesday walk? Well there you go, how about Maple Pigs in Blankets crisps for you!

A fine evening under a big waxing gibbous to set out on Whitchurch Down. Searching in all the right places but no signs of them - never mind. Always the promise of the ISS overhead. But no sign of that either - then Eagle Eyes spotted something else. Just what could it be? Fainter than the ISS and a different track. Turns out it was SpaceX 5 carrying five more astronauts to the ISS. Already seven there so it must be a bit crowded. Onward by Plaster Down and the cut through lane to Shorts Down. As usual a bit of a wander to find the fantastic drift lane heading to Middlemoor. Popping out and up back to the down. Treading delicately over the golf course to Pixies Cross, a really wonderful old cross. Back to the cars to the welcoming Whitty for some new crisps - 'im always likes daft crisps. And a drink in a really amazing glass - so what to do? Well ask the nice barmaid and she gave it to a very grateful recipient - how kind.

TWW 4th October 2022

Nine of us today, all eager to get going, so that's what we did.

Past the ancient  grave stones of past generations, in the12th century churchyard, out on to a narrow path, on to the road and over Bovey bridge and the Bovey river.
Too many Boveys round here!
Up the hill turning left into North Bovey Woods, privately owned by very nice people (unknown) who allow nice people like us to walk through them.
Lots of lovely fungi of varying colours and sizes and the best find being large fly agarics, always popular these. Highly hallucinogenic apparently.
Personally I've never tried them but Alice ate them before she jumped down a rabbit hole for a "trip" in wonderland. She certainly had some scary fun!
Out onto Easdon hill and into higher than me bracken, what fun, couldn't see anything until Raz pointed a stack of rocks. The wondrous Figgie Daniel smaller cousin of Bowermans Nose just across the valley and just the place for a break and to enjoy the views. It is said a man named Daniel from Sticklepath who was lantern jawed, had a hooked nose, swarthy and with very large hands who used to farm here. Raz reckoned he grew figs!!
Not much more "up" and we reach the pinnacle of the hill, Easdon Tor with its trig point and wonderful all round views of fields, trees  and in the distance Haytor.
Further down the hill is Whooping Rock, (Charlie, you'd have loved this) so named after local children that became ill were brought up to be cured. More like died of exposure!!
All the way down now and on to an old rocky track, Langdon Lane and then down towards Old Yarde once a row of mill houses. The water wheel been nicely renovated and the complex is now worth about seventeen and half MILLION.!¡!!!!.
A little bit of time left so into the church we go, some artefacts being hundreds of years old.
Can't tarry here too long though, The Warren House and lunch  was waiting. Very very busy but as welcoming and efficient as ever.
Must come back to this area again, so much more to do.
Brenda