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