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