The last dark evening walk for a long, long time.
It had been dry all day, so, of course, just as we arrived at St. Raphael's the wind blew and the rain fell. Still, it is a Wednesday. To the churchyard where the snowdrops still bloom together with the daffodils. The church as beautiful and welcoming as ever - a true jewel of the Moor. But out it has to be and up, up the very muddy fields to find the ancient track down to Dartmeet. Round and over the bridge where the river was rushing. By the clapper and past Badgers Holt. It seems the wonderful tea rooms and café will not be open at all this year as it is turning into a wedding venue - one more nice refreshment stop closed to us 'casuals'. By the East Dart and along as the wind whistled. Then, a surprise, lights in the distance, a couple at first then lots and lots and lots. It was a full school party heading back to Pixie's Holt after a wet and windy night walk. Great to see lots of children out on the moor in the lovely dark. They 'seemed' to be having a good time, no doubt they will have lots of memories. Muddy, muddy to the Walla Brook for a spot of tea and a view of the stepping stones to come. Up and over the small clapper and back to face the stepping stones. The river certainly looked deep and brown but soon all safely across and back. Past Dolly's Cott, apparently this might have been where Mr. Trebble hid her before in later life she moved to the Swincombe Cott. By Brimpts and up and round the DTRG trail to learn all about the mine.
By now all the time had well drifted by so steadily back to the cars with no chance of finding a welcoming pub even though it was just past 10. How times change ... So, all in all, a jolly fine, dark, wet evening to be out and about. Now we can look forward to lots of lovely sunsets.