TWW 31st January 2023

 

A bit of everything.

The forecast was good but the weather was not when we arrived at Prewley. So up through the mist and rain to find Sourton Tors, then on to skirt round Deep Cut to find the track to the points where we paused for a damp and viewless coffee. Along the upper branch of the tramway to turn off just after the infant Lyd to locate Gren Tor.

Now it is always a good challenge trying to find small tracks through tussock particularly in the direction you want to go. We managed it and got to Lyd Head and soon after found better paths to Branscombes Loaf where the sky was clearing. A nice bimble downhill back to the cars with clear views. Lunch at the Fox and Hounds all on one long table with lots of chips. The sun was out when we came out, (pity it couldn’t have been the other way round), but it is what it is.

Mike

WW 25th January 2023

 

Our annual dinner took place on Burns Night without any haggis , poems or whisky.

What it did include was good food, fine wines and plenty of chatter.

A definition of what the TWWs are; a band of comrades who enjoy the outdoors, good food and wide reaching conversation.

Peter

TWW 24th January 2023

 

A glorious morning to be back on Dartmoor leading a walk with my old friends. A hard frost and bright sunshine.  Coincidentally it was 5 years to the day since we had left. Thirteen on the walk and almost a full house. A favourite area and a place once taken for granted. We started from just below Pew Tor and walked across to Windy Post going past Feather Tor. Up the steeper bit to Cox Tor and down to the pond for a coffee break. There was some ice on the pond which obviously needed to be investigated. Then over Great Staple Tor and past the old Merrivale mine workings. On to Heckwood Tor and over the top of Pew Tor. All this was followed by an excellent lunch in the London Inn.

Michael L

WW 18th January 2023

 

It was to be a snow walk with ISS sighting.

Well on the way there, it was raining in Tavistock, a bit sleety at Pork Hill, snowing at Rundelstone and approaching a blizzard at Two Bridges, so no chance of the ISS.

The wind was certainly stronger than forecast so, after donning all the appropriate gear, we decided to reverse the planned route. Along the track to Wistmans Wood where we paused briefly for a cuppa whilst there was still a bit of shelter. Now it is always more difficult following tracks when the snow has covered them, so with some concentration we passed the end of the wood and turned up towards Longaford Tor. Turning south there with our backs to the wind it did seem to have eased a lot. On along the ridge the sky was clearing and the stars appeared, past Lettaford Tors and suddenly it became a perfect winters evening.

Although later than intended the Prince Of Wales was still open and very welcoming.

        You only experience it if you are there!

Mike

TWW 17th January 2023

 

Never been here before !!

Through Lee Mills housing estate and soon crossing the green fields towards.

No rain but plenty of water underfoot. On to bridlepaths and a deep gorge with a lake. Alongside horsefields and lovely views of the moors and viaducts. Past Frog Cottage looping around to a wooded path and the road towards Cornwood past Stert; early snowdrops peeping from the banks.

A field entrance beckoned for a coffee stop and a friendly local exercising his dog welcomed us in.

Brownies and cuppas consumed and off under the beautiful "double" bridge towards Cornwood before left to Corntown and over the River Piall. An impressive driveway to Slade Manor built in 1212 by the Slade family. In later centuries acquired by Coles, Savery, Podes and three further families. A very interesting house, buildings and gardens.

Our path now took us under the silhouettes of the old and "new" Slade Viaducts. Much to theorise about here. Such clever builders.

Back on to the road now and a deepish flood or two from the Piall River to slosh through and a mystery stone in the bridge to discuss.

Further lanes and fields to squelch through on the flood plains of the Yealm before reaching the edge of Lee Mill once more and the spacious Westward Inn, and we can now say we have been !

Anne

WW 11th January 2023

 

Better than likely all things considered.

Out from the Hairy Hand on what promised to be a wild evening. Taking care to obey the big sign warning that 'One match could start a fire'. And a huge notice detailing the work of forestry. Apparently it seems to be all about planting little trees, letting them grow, chopping them down, then starting again. Up the muddy track to the Lych Way corner and onward round the fallen tree. Sharp right on the forestry track to seek out the secret track. Somehow up and out and the gently rising way up to Bellever. Breezy up there but still no sign of rain - views afar. Down to the wall to the tank which was full to the brim and clear clear clear. Round the stile and gate to find shelter for a cuppa. Clear enough to just make out the skyline to head up to Laughter and on to the barbed wire wall. Down down to the forest as the storm started. Windily round to where we seek the nightjars and then West as the rain and wind came in almost exactly as forecast. Somewhat damply back to the cars and on to the Prince of Wales. Where we enjoyed a pint and a full update from Bill on Princetown's goings on - including ideas for a new orchid walk.

TWW 10th January 2023

 It wasn't me, m'lud.

Twas the mist wot done it.
All was going swimmingly then this "Dartmoor girl" suffered an anomaly which prevented the success of my mission.
But first a tidy six of us met up on a real Dartmoor day to struggle over the old packhorse track to Foggintor quarry, nothing but a grim greyness in a deep, dark hole.
Skipping that, down to the defunct railway track.
Here we were shown a lesson on how the modern army works. Go into war zone in undercover civilian vehicle camouflaged in mist grey, snatch hostages and drive out fast, along said track, stopping for no one.
Nice elevenses in the sheltered cutting.
Carrying on to turning circle used by quarry railway and chatted to a wild camper nearby. He looked a bit bewildered, it was a sunny evening when he set camp and now!!!! Dartmoor fools all of us!!!
Up towards Fur Tor the 2nd and upwards to Leeden.
Lots of crocodiles, alligators and men in flat caps up there. Turning to find and follow the track to the road and then on to Black Tor.
And then the "anomaly" began!
Striding confidently out, the road should soon be in sight, but NO!, I was wailing now, there was the bridge to nowhere, we'd gone round in a circle!
Help, how did that happen?
But of course, we were not lost, just misplaced. So ever resourceful we admired the faces on Yes Tor the 2nd and carried back on the "so useful track".
Turning off by the cutting over some roughish ground the others seemed reluctant to follow, but they did luckily.
A snipe flew up in front of us showing it's beautiful curved beak.
On home then, so to speak, to the welcoming Prince. Good filling food was had by all. How did we finish it all? A good chat and all was well with our world.

Brenda X

WW 4th January 2023

 

I am currently reading a rather slim book called Nightwalking, full of evocative descriptions, one of which describes the cloud as ‘having the texture of thick porridge’ well tonight it was more like a thin cream of mushroom soup with a bright full Wolf Moon shining through, giving clear views of the terrain- no need of map and compass.

A simple round:-

Staple Tor car park.

Forest corner, no trees though.

Leat, in full flow.

Aqueduct, the cascade shining brightly in the moon.

Black Tor, chilly breeze here.

North to road, track less boggy than it used to be.

North to Princetown railway, seemed a lot further than it was.

Round the track, to turn left down an old wall.

The old tramway, always a joy over the original bridge.

Fur Tor (Walkham), a hidden gem.

Leeden Tor, still plenty left after the quarrymen took a good share.

South to cars, waiting there.

Burrator Inn, a pint and chorizo crisps.

A fine evening and good to see Brenda out again.

Mike

TWW 3rd January 2023

 

It’s always good to discover something new in a place you thought you knew well!

And so it was. We set off from the car park at Calstock along the familiar track by the Tamar to follow the stream up the Danescoome Valley. Taking a left fork we toiled up, up, up through the woods. Some of us still suffering from the after effects of various bugs but glad to be out in the mild air and drizzle. Popping out into an open field there it was to the left of us. 

Prospect Tower. Built in 1787 to mark the visit to Cotehele by King George III. It’s an amazing construction, triangular with concave walls reaching 60ft. The windows have been blocked off but the beautiful oak studded door was open and revealed a stout spiral staircase. Views from the top of the surrounding countryside were magnificent even through the rain. 

Back to the footpath, across the road to the hamlet of Newton to find a permissive path through Comfort Wood down to the fast flowing Morden stream and the weir which was damaged by storms in 2020 meaning no water is diverted to the leat to run the water wheel at the Mill so no Cotehele Flour at present. After an eventful coffee stop we continued on to the Quay and back along the track to Calstock. 

A very pleasant gentle walk after Christmas excesses. 

The Tamar Inn welcomed us with a warm fire and spectacular shovel shaped chips.

Stella