TWW 28th February 2023

 

And just what did we see: snowdrops, daffodils, celandines, fumitory, stitchwort, violets, campion, sea campion, primroses, ladybirds, a bee, beetles and much more. Made up for not seeing a whale ...

A slight wait for the little red bus then off we went. Round and about, who knows where, to get to Polperro. Into the village to The House on the Props where we were expected. For a truly fabulous breakfast with lots of lovely coffee. Eventually out and up to the coast path. All very dry to wend our way out along, down down down, up up up, down down down, up up up, down down down to the amazing Lansallos Beach. For a very nice picnic lunch as the big waves crashed in. As required some 'wild paddling' took place. Then up the old smugglers' path to Lansallos Church, over 600 years old. 

A great day out, could have been on holiday.

WW 22nd February 2023

 

We weren’t going to do it. They’re away doing big boys stuff, they’ll never know.

But we did do it, three of us arrived at the Whitty stressed, tired, recovering from the lurgy. Pouring rain, snow. Why bother? Just a short one or straight to the pub even?? 

Then a slither of moon, appeared above the clouds and the rain stopped. Not so bad after all. Along the foot paths to Caseytown and on to Down House. Lots of lovely stuff here. Granite rollers, gateposts, plumbing parts, old baths and toilets etc. Then on, weaving our way through the furze bushes to find the lane to Fullamoor and the footpaths back. Over the first of many stiles, all shapes and sizes, most built for longer legs than ours. Some were leapt over with style others less so! 

A lovely old tree root was a pleasant perch for coffee and we all agreed we were glad we came. Even after the triple B…hill back up to Whitchurch and the pub. It was better than falling asleep in front of the tele. 

That’s Why!! 

Stella

TWW 21st February 2023

 

A grey dry day as we seven climbed our way up to a field behind the Rose and Crown and found our connection to the Erme Plym trail. Lovely sweeping fields and woodlands to reach the road at Gorlofen with snowdrops in the banks and then back into the fields towards the ruined quarry barn at the end of Tapps Lane near Brixton.

Coffee and pancakes were consumed here and our route now followed the field edges along the Silverbridge valley towards Yealmpton again. We stopped at the lovely double tunnel under the main road. The bigger tunnel providing a link from Kitley and the Yealm Estuary towards the Lyneham Estate. Off the fields now on to footpaths and over the road at Stray Park to join the riverside track to Puslinch Bridge. Past the Kitley Caves entrance, limekilns and railway viaduct. Drifts of perfect snowdrops everywhere on each bank and a lovely clear Yealm River flowing briskly.

Past Puslinch House, past more limekilns and over the steep stone stile into the field towards the Torr district of Yealmpton once home to the station and quarry industries.

Interesting houses looking out of place without the railway and a jumble of cottages lined our way to Torr Hill and on to the very hospitable Rose and Crown.

Four of us continued on to enjoy the Snowdrop Festival at Mothecombe. This was lovely but we agreed we had already seen the best show along the riverbanks .

Anne

WW 15th February 2023

 

Quite an adventure ...

Setting out from Rundlestone on a very dark and misty evening to the old peat tramway. Past The Touchstone, put there by an ex-prison governor to celebrate the millennium. A touching poem exploring how we are all half through our own book of life with half of it already written and behind us and the rest to come. Following the tramway we even found some old rails before heading up to clamber (!) out. To the leat and along to Sinclair's Cross where we were pleased to have the opportunity to clean it up. Down and by to see Fice's Well. And seek it we certainly did, finding the Blacka Brook clapper in the meantime. Fice's Well is fantastic dating back to 1568, well before the turnpike road and all the prison enclosures. It is famed for its healing powers for those with poor eyesight - perhaps we should have rubbed some into our eyes. Out through White Gate and many, many (many) tussocks to eventually find the wire fence and then a cut across to Little Mis. Down the main track and then nice little bunny trails back by Arthur's fields. To the ever welcoming and reliable Prince of Wales for a nice pint and some education from Bill.

TWW 14th February 2023

 

St Valentines Day! Romance was in the air!  Could you feel it? The sun was glorious. The beating heart of the moor was heard ,drr ump, drrr ump, red foil chocolate hearts, golden plovers looking for love, a bright green frog looking for another to clasp and thudding hearts (mine).

Enough of that. 
Back to Hairy Hand Bridge where "another" tried to squeeze his car in beside us. "Be off" I cried, this is our car park! His answer? He let his hounds out and they shot up the path like rockets. Don't actually think they saw us. Baskervilles come to mind!
Off up the track on the opposite side of the road, not boggy today to find the fairly new moved Lychway and over the Gauler bridge and towards Powdermills. Our litter picker in charge found his pet hate in the form two blue empty salt lick buckets. Littering  our moors? "not having that", he says, and attached them to his rucksack.
Spying an unknown and unusual building we went off course to investigate. Longhouse? farmhouse? linhay? certainly looks like it. Anyway good place for a break and a photo shoot and distribution of valentine choccies!
On up to Longaford Tor where energetic souls climbed for the best view ever and some some stood and chatted. Yes it was one of those days! Crossing the saddle to Higher White was a delight making our way down and crossing over the wall on the northern side. A large flock of Golden Plovers delighted us by circling around making sounds like a rusty gate (Raz's description) the sun glinting on their wings as they twirled and swirled. Following the wall down, gazing at a very good specimen of a kist and cairn on the other side. To Hollowcombe Bottom crossing the much smaller Cherrybrook, up the other side again following the wall ( you know me, feel safe following a wall).
Time was going on, a quick debate and the walk changed to get to Arch Tor. What a wonderful treat!
Playtime everyone. Drr ump. Drrr ump drr ump!!! The beating heart of Dartmoor, ...,.. or Jaws!!!! Drrrrr umpp! That has to be the best Logan stone ever.
On down to the Lychway path again, over the road and very muddy track back to Hairy Hand.
Back to the busy POW, some had very nice lunches, some not so good. Come on POW you can do better!
Lovely day ,lovely people

Brenda

WW 8th February 2023

 

Well!.......Oh what a night!

Just two of us set off from hillside CP this evening with one object in mind (apart from a beer in the pub).
Will we, won't we? Will she, won't she!! we shall see.
This walk, ably led my me and redirected in a masterful fashion by the man himself.......too long I believe.
So, past the farms of Hillside and Longash on a long ancient track down through temperate rainforest to the rocks surrounding Hucken Tor. Branching off the track to weave our way around Hucken and then onwards to the old railway track below King Tor.
Still no sign of what we're hoping to see.
The corbels haven't moved much!
On to the old stone railway hut for drinkies and chat before finding the very thick walled gunpowder shelter. Down to the track below Foggintor marvelling at the huge granite chipping tips. What a workplace this whole area must have been. Imagine the noise.

Still no sign!!!

Found a huge "motorway" track down towards Fourwinds and the road. Picking our way over various waterways and up to the Merrivale antiquities, the skies began to brighten and the stars started to show themselves. We stood and watched and then, it happened!!
Yay!! The object of our walk started to show herself in a glorious orange hue, slightly veiled by Dartmoor cloud. The Snow Moon showed us a tantalising glimpse of herself before sliding behind more cloud..
Beautiful.
So, one object achieved, on to the next, at the Prince of Wales, where we had a nice chat with who else but Gandalf.
You really have to walk on Wednesdays to know, you know.

Brenda

TWW 7th February 2023

 

After what had seemed to be weeks of walking in mist, rain, wind and general murkiness it was almost with disbelief that we happily set out from Boulter’s Tor quarry carpark under cloudless blue skies and brilliant sunshine - even if the temperature barely two hours before had dropped to -5 Celsius.   Up the track we went, passing Boulter’s Tor to our left and the ruin of Twist farmhouse to our right, brooding behind its screen of trees.   Then down the hill, boots crunching the frozen molehills.  At Cudliptown we began the 2km  steady climb to White Tor - and unsurprisingly no-one complained of feeling cold whilst on the move in a chilly east wind.   The panoramic views on a day like this, enjoyed especially during the obligatory coffee stop, were stunning. Descent was past Wedlake, along the boundary wall, then across the pastures to Great Combe Tor.  The route now took us down past the former open air swimming pool, long officially closed.   But wait, what was this?  An enormous digger  busily excavating in the channel that normally feeds water from the stream to the pool.   Was there a plan to reopen the pool ?  (This was not without interest, for several of our group enjoy a bit of wild water swimming.)  Was it all part of The South West Water Master Plan?  Sadly an enquiry provided no enlightenment.  So on we went, but before we began the final climb back to the quarry to collect cars and seek refreshment at the Peter Tavy Inn, at least one of our group quite properly took advantage of the swing suspended from the bough of a tree.   For me, at least, it had been an enjoyable outing even if at times I felt a little like the Grand Old Duke of York.

Peter

WW 1st February 2023

 

It was a bright and busy night on the Moors. The army flares lighting up the sky from Beardown. The Rescue’s torches on Roos and their car lights below Cox and somewhere beyond the clouds a three quarters moon.
No chance of seeing the Comet. 

Stopping at Stephen's Grave for a photo shot we discovered exactly what delights some of us had missed in Exminster. Later we were to discover we missed the swimming pool and the swing. Hey Ho! 

But it was a lovely evenings walk. We liked the refurbished stiles and the Peter Tavy was ever welcoming for a pint even though the sign said closed. 

You really had to be there. 

Stella