WW 28th June 2023

 

Poor Ephraim, everyone knows the legend, very unfortunate ending for a strong, lovestruck young man.

Fortunately for us, no such trials as we started our walk at the pinch, (small hill) we chose the shorter version of the walk (we were all knackered) bit like Ephraim. The first turning was missed, well it was my walk, but of course there is a plan B. Up a narrow path which leads on to the main track to  Golden Dagger. The trees have grown as has the bracken disguising the drying house, the various ironmongery of the machinery and the well preserved buddle. We gaze at it all like we have countless times before. What a workplace this must have been!
Walking on to the gate leading on Challacombe Down, moody grey skies and views,  time for a break on a nearby stone seat.
Raz wondered where the old machinery was. Had it been moved?

Moving on down to the newish gate to turn back on ourselves, it stubbornly refused to open so we climbed over. Only then did the delicate Stella open it with one finger. The Raz has been moving too many boulders and I'm just weak.

Moving on,  there it is, the elusive remains of the farming machinery.
Made by Deere of California, no less.
Onwards, downwards and upwards , over the newly built-up ford over the Webburn River and passing Soussons Farm, we walked up the track I missed at the beginning , down the main track and back to the cars.
All in all a pleasant , shorter walk.
Back to the East Dart pub which seems to cater only for the enjoyment of the staff, Raz found enough strength to lift  his pint.
Well, that makes everything alright , I say.
  
Brenda

TWW 27th June 2023

 

The sky was grey and foreboding, and there was a hint of dampness in the air as we arrived at Combestone Tor. The addition of a keen breeze caused much deliberation as to what layers to wear.  We set off across the road on a gentle climb to Horns Cross, stopping for the obligatory photograph.  Then onwards and upwards in the direction of Ryder’s Hill.  On reaching one of the many Paignton Urban District Council (PUDC) boundary stones (that mark the catchment area of Venford reservoir), we contoured round to the western earth works of Ringleshutes mine.  After crossing a couple of deep girts, we continued southwards to another PUDC boundary stone, and the Sandy Way Path.  We followed the path westward as the drizzle intensified to light rain.  As we neared the watershed between the Avon and Mardle rivers, the precipitation eased, and a hollow provided an ideal sheltered stop for a coffee break. Suitably refreshed, we continued westward passing above Avon Head Mires before swinging north to follow the O Brook valley between Ter Hill and Skir Hill.  By the time we crossed the O Brook in Skir Gut the sun was making its presence felt, and the extra layers donned earlier were being discarded.  We continued to follow the brook past the Henroost and on to Hooten Wheals.  Sadly, a lack of time prevented us exploring here, and we carried on down the valley crossing Dry Lake and back to the cars.  A short drive got us to the Forest Inn only five minutes late for a well-earned lunch.

Phil & Jane

WW 21st June 2023

 

Absolutely Fabulous

The Longest Day and a fine evening to set out a little later than usual from the forest. Up the forestry track nice and gently where a huge red deer quietly grazed. Popping out to the open and the wide, wide way up to Bellever. The sun certainly was high in the far north west. To the top with fabulous views and the hint of a breeze. Timing is crucial; so it seemed we could just make it to Laughter for the sunset. And so we did; a super place for a cuppa. A wonderful sunset, bang on time. Down by the wall and back to the forest. Along, along and slowly up to a beautiful clearing. Would they, were they, was that them ...? Then right in front of us a nightjar swooped and wheeled and settled on the track. As we slowly advanced it just kept a few yards in front of us. Now that was great, but more, much more to come. Churring and a clear sighting on top of a tree. Then just lots of nightjars, so near, flitting about, hovering, jinking and diving. Fabulous, but what could that be? A new sound, a bird fling along by the edge of the trees - "chek,chek chek", it was the female nightjar - never heard that before! Slowly, very very slowly we advanced enjoying every sight and sound. 

A truly fabulous evening, the very best ever, so far ... 

TWW 20th June 2023

 

That view. A grey journey and then that blue view, punctuated by the green wedge of the Mewstone.

Seaside excitement, the lovely noise of children playing and soon we were climbing quite steeply on this "mainly level" walk !!

Looking back from our newly acquired height we shuddered to imagine what if the 1909 plan for a four jetty liner port had come to fruition with its seawall joining the Mewstone to the land.

The Yealm estuary on our right and poppyfields to the left again we imagined the WW2 decoy structures on New Barton Farm and maybe lives saved. 

Not all was as it should be in the signage and footpath department but a coffee stop with a view was enjoyed with airings of maritime lingo before venturing with trepidation to yes..a no through path.. as well as foot ferry steps. Back up to Rocket Cottage for a retry to connect to woodland path and a field border neatly strimmed guided us eventually to a woodland section, more field, and then a notice informing of footpath closures due to ash dieback !

Tracks followed back towards church and leader showed off her Tom Daly moves into a grassy rut. Hey-ho!

A stop at St Werburgh's Church where an enchanting medieval sounding musical practice session gained our applause. 

Down to the beach now and tasty purchases at the café. A large log provided seating for our picnics and school children finished their beach session and left us to the peace of an almost empty beach. Three TWW's swam in warm waters and no-one was in a rush to go home . Not hometime yet, there was just one more thing of course, it was ice-cream time !!

Anne

WW 14th June 2023

 

Just the three of us out tonight. We set off from the popular Rifle Volunteer down one of my favourite old lanes to the much nicer wrought iron gate to Sylvia’s Meadow. The code to the padlock entrusted to us by the lovely Steve.

A little disappointing as the orchids were early this year. Most of the Heath Spotted had come and gone but still plenty of Butterfly, Greater and Lesser, although I still have difficulty telling the difference but some were markedly bigger and some more delicate.

There were lots of flitty things, moths, butterflies and jumpy things and itchy, bite your ankle things. In all a wonderful diversity of wild life here for the flowers.

Then up the hill to the old Hingston Down Mine for a refreshing drinks stop. A great place to be on a hot evening with clear views over the Tamar to Plymouth from the opposite of where we were last week. Then back to the ever welcoming Rifle for a very welcome pint.

It’s always interesting.

Stella

TWW 13th June 2023

 

Well we finally made it! Bill's walk - no not that Bill the other Bill who has been going on and on and on and on about Pudsham orchids for months if not years. The slightest hint of mist soon disappeared as we made our way over the Moor to Cold East Cross. The sun was already beating down as we followed the boundary stones and then over the wall to Welstor Rock - a proper little tor. Back and up to the very fine Ten Commandments and a brief top of Buckland Beacon with views far and wide. A nice track took us down by the prickles to the old bridleway and across Ruddycleave Water. Bowden farmhouse is absolutely fabulous with thatch on the original longhouse and the extension and outbuildings beautifully crafted with diminishing slate work. Up the lane and round the corner to seek out the orchid fields. And they truly are fantastic, orchids everywhere, hard not to step on them. We met the warden from the Dartmoor Preservation Society who own the fields. He was setting out the stakes and rope for the orchid count taking place tomorrow. Last year they counted 4645 orchids with over 1500 in the top field alone. We reckoned 1500 in the top field was a very conservative estimate and wondered just how they counted so, so many. The day was heating up as we headed over Pudsham Down with a small detour to identify the site of an ancient longhouse. Down, down to Blackslade Water where those with self restraint enjoyed their lunch in the shade. Out again and over the Water to find a bit of damp and masses of sundews. Up to Lucy's Stone Spiral and then back along to the ill-named Cold East Cross. (My car read 29C and it must have been near that.)

A fabulous trip out to some new orchid fields - will it ever, ever, ever rain again?

WW 7th June 2023

 

Four of us drove to the beautiful Whitsand Bay, past Tregantle Fort - still in use, and along the Military Road to park by a familiar van/car. There was a refreshing breeze but the bay was flat calm. We headed down Wiggle Cliff to an Ex chalet!  Who was this sooty black man doing a water dance around a bonfire?  Raz, sadly having had to demolish and burn Viv’s lovely ‘Shed’, her place of peace and solace. Words like sad, mad, wasteful and immoral come to mind but not criminal apparently. He needed a beer so we headed off along the Cliff following the SW coast path. Up and down - up and down finally to follow the Golden Path to the Halfway House, named so because it is on the border between Cawsands and Kingsands. We were promised a sing along with the local men’s choir but they were still practicing in the village hall. Then a bit of confusion over footpaths causing us to miss Wiggle and Peacehaven but with a glorious sunset and a fine view over to Plymouth. Finally to Treninnow Farm and up over the hill to the cars. What a wonderful part of the country we live in, so much variety of land and sea scape.

Stella

TWW 6th June 2023

 

A friendly "welcome to Kelly and beware of the aphids" bode well as did the blue sky and warm breeze!

A "badfoot" proof route and terrain planned so gently on to very quiet leafy road to Bradstone. Pretty views and woodlands along our way.

The fairy tale gatehouse of Bradstone Manor loomed ahead and then left to St Nonna's. Impressively simple. And "never been here before" !

Downhill on track toward the Tamar now, past Coombemills and then suddenly almost overgrown, almost machete time with boggy elements (eagerly predicted) and past barking spaniels to coffee stop in the meadow by Greystone Bridge. 

Up steep side road watched by wary deer and soon on to grassy field path back towards Bradstone and quest to find The Broadstone.. of cromlech origin perhaps. Sharpeyed success and an enormous flat stone on its long edge ( 6' × 12' ) emerged from a beating of sticks on the undergrowth of roadside vegetation.

The badfoot seemed ok to allow for extra meander through fields and into Kelly the back way.

Tea, coffee and cakes served in Poison Garden with views of poisonous plants and crumbling history. (Not us !!)

Anne