WW 26th July 2023

 High Down.

A typical Dartmoor evening, it was wet and misty. Only Brenda on a pre holiday amble so we decided on a shortened version of the planned route. Off to Doe Tor farm where we solved the maze to find the gate out onto the moor. Up to Doe Tor with its welcoming sign but otherwise unsullied by any recent military activity. Down to Doe Tor Brook which we followed to the lovely ruin for a cuppa. Further up the girt a track to the left lead towards Brat Tor.  Unsurprisingly the track fizzled out before long and we spent some time in a large flat area of grassland finding out that phones can lie but compasses can help. A quick scramble up to the cross then down and back to the cars.

We walked into the Mary Tavy Inn at about 9.45 only to be told they were shut but a clever bit of blagging by Brenda got us a pint and we spent time chatting to Peter and Sandra’s grandsons about their amazing Granny.

A fine walk and we both survived death by military debris!

Mike

TWW 25th July 2023

 

Some arrived early at the rendezvous, and decided as nobody was there, they must be in the wrong place.  Others thought they knew where they were going, but on seeing other members of the group heading in the opposite direction realized the error of their ways and turned about and followed. 

Eventually, all were assembled at West Blackdown, and set off southwards along the West Devon Way.  Though initially dry, a little light drizzle started to fall, but it didn’t last long.  Downhill past Blacknor Park to Wortha Mill, where the old cottage is still waiting for someone with deep pockets to turn it into a des-res.  A pause between the two railway bridges to look at the Great Western and London South West Railway boundary markers, then up-a-ty-up to South Brentor, taking care not to tread on the froglets crossing the track.  Taking the footpath across the fields, we found a spot to perch and have coffee before continuing to North Brentor.  Heading west, we took the footpath across the field (when we eventually located the stile) to the Lydford road.  More bramble bashing was required to enabled us to escape from the field.  From there, along the road to Bowden Down, where we stopped for lunch beside the old mine shaft (with a fine view of Brentor Church).  For a while we felt the full heat of the midday sun, before the clouds again shaded us. Suitably refreshed, we took the bye way down to Asheltor Wood, with its fine view of the Lydd valley, before picking up the path to Langstone Manor.  More bramble bashing here before we emerged into the fields by the hydraulic ram.  Across the fields to the Lydford road, then down Burn Lane and back to the cars.

Phil

WW 19th July 2023

       A lovely barmy evening for a lesser used walk on Princetown's SE side.

Three of us walked down Two Bridges Road to Sunnyside, through the access gate and admired the deteriorating ironwork that was once part of the Princetown railway. It was dragged here unloved and forgotten and left to rot. Scandalous!
Up the track towards Batchelors Hall Youth Hostel, there were some very friendly ponies that tried to come with us. One kissed Raz on the forehead! I think it made his day!!
We admired the old unused barns there and suddenly a barn owl flew silently out. OMG! You don't see that too often and then, just to completely spoil us, another one flew out in the opposite direction. Of course we tried to get in, inquisitive as always, but it was all fenced off. 
Lucky owls.
Next we wondered on the likely use of the relatively newish concrete bridge to nowhere and the over the wooden bridge following the very pretty Blackbrook river.
Following the river with boggy bits, lots of Twittering birds,  two impressive deer who looked slightly alarmed to see us.
Unable to find the gate I thought should be there, we turned back and crossed onto the lower reaches of Royal Hill over a most unusual style.
Two discarded Defender foot plates welded on to a metal barred gate (looked like scaffold poles)
Short walk uphill to look down on Batchelors Hall and the old barns. Across the ford and hoping to see the wonderful barn owls again
But it was not to be as we made our way back to the road and the recently reopened Plume of Feathers. A lot of work done, a lot still to be done. Looks much fresher but the essence of the place has not changed thankfully.
Beer was good too

Brenda

TWW 18th July 2023

 

 The Comedy of Errors
                                       My version.

I will start with the great quote "you really have to be there......"

So leaving the car park in convoy, smallest car first, all went according to plan until the narrow Manaton/Lustleigh lanes were reached.
First, very large new agricultural vehicle appeared. It stopped, we stopped, what now? It appeared intimidated by my car's size and actually backed up to let us pass.
What a man!  What a driver!
Next
Mr Spanking new shiny Tesla appeared and tried his luck getting past. He also had to back up protesting loudly. Apparently he's lived round those parts for 15 years and never had to give way!
On to Manaton, large driverless white van in middle of the road, two men talking oblivious to waiting traffic. I got out of my little car to see what going on. He was putting a Road Closed sign up!!!!!
As a certain Mr McEnroe so famously said
"You cannot be serious!" We were allowed through with no guarantee we could get back.

Thirteen minutes late to the start, nine of us..... or was it eleven,  started our lovely walk towards ye olde packhorse Hisley bridge. Upwards and onwards through Hisley woods until we reached Heaven's Gate, sadly devoid of it springtime flora a welcome break was enjoyed and a phone call to The Cleave was made to confirm our numbers for lunch. There followed a bizarre chat of our entire group of nine or was it eleven to confirm numbers.
I am not making this up!!!!!
Carrying on round the track underneath the Nutcrackers and onto Hammerslake,  Interesting scenery round here.
Back onto the road we found an interesting shortcut to explore, can't resist it, can I? Down, down a very slippery, mossy damp track, brambles constantly trying to grab us, skunk cabbage in their hundreds, several streams tinkling away until we reached the top road into Lustleigh.
Well what now? at least one hour before nine or was it eleven of us could eat. So we explored the lovely old church and had a prelunch drink.

Lunch time at last, bit of a wait but we're used to that, aren't we? Very tasty and very reasonably priced.

Nine or was it eleven set off again to get to our cars. Going up hill on stomach full of lunch and beer wasn't such a good idea. An afternoon nap would have suited better.  Down into the woods again , past wonderful  Hisley Farm and Gradnor Rocks and across the ancient bridge again.
Last bit now, all up hill to the cars. After a very short discussion we drove home Widecombe way.
Much easier!
Well we all enjoyed our adventure, especially the newly returned, from their adventures in Europe. Why go away, you can get it all here!!!

I'll finish as I started:-
You really do have to be there, be it nine or eleven of us!!

Brenda

TWW 11th July 2023

 

I tried again and it was OK, so much better with your Mates.

Having collected two from Two Bridges four of us set out from Statts Bridge car park along the path to California Farm and on to the edge of Fernworthy. The Forest had completely changed since last I was here. Trees felled, new ones in various stages of growth but not very welcoming, due to the Raves I guess. All gates barred and barbed wired. Nowhere to look for Terry’s rare orchids or to find a perch for a cuppa. Lots of paths but we kept to the edge of the forest, down and up, down and up. The downs were harder on the knees and the ups were definitely longer and steeper. But we ‘had a laugh’! especially when Brenda saw a “poor little cow with poo all over her face” it was pointed out that She was a He and He probably enjoyed the process of getting cow poo over his face. “Ahh” she said “I expect he was just getting his will up” or was it his willy she meant?

Soon we were heading over the lovely old clapper bridge to the ruins of Teignhead Farm. Lived in until 1943 when it was commandeered  by the MOD. It hadn’t change except that the trees were wider and taller.

We returned back over the bridge and along the track to find the old Drovers road to Sittaford. As we battled up against the wind Pooh Bear had a ‘really good idea’ for an easier way back. As we had a little rest at the top she told the others of her really good idea. “It won’t work” said Eeyore. “You’re getting your Two Bridges mixed up with your Post Bridges. “Oh!” Said Pooh disappointedly. “Why won’t it work?” said Piglet “we’re on Sittaford Tor?” “Because” said Eeyore “you’re getting your Sittaford Tors mixed up with your Littaford Tors”. “Oh!” said Piglet disappointedly.  It’s hard when you’re a very old bear of little brain.

Anyway we did find a good route back with not too much tussock, not too much bog and less up and down.

It was a long walk but a proper Dartmoor walk.

Pooh decide we all deserved an ice cream on the way back to Two Bridges and maybe a little sleep when we got home.  And so it was.

Stella

WW 5th July 2023

I tried but I failed. My WW mates were either indisposed or had family commitments so ‘just me then’ I set off - then it rained - then the wind blew- then it got dimpsy - then I felt a bit lonely so I went home. Shame! The Dartmoor Inn was open and had customers too.

Hey Ho! See you next time.

Stella

TWW 4th July 2023

 

Always good to be back on Dartmoor! A very heavy shower at the start so full water proofs were on and off we set crossing the dam and going north to go around the back of Longstone Hill and contour along the top of the valley on the side of Red-a-Ven brook up to the ford. From here across to the track which goes all the way up to West Mill Tor. Then across to the ford for the track which leads up to Yes Tor and a stop for lunch. Just as we stopped for our picnic another band of rain came in. Over to High Willhays, down to Black Tor and back over Longstone Hill. A proper Dartmoor walk in proper Dartmoor weather.

Michael