WW 27th December 2023

 

Storm Gerrit blasting through and a bit of a gap. Christmas Meavy looking resplendent and the River Meavy roaring. Out along, as the huge Cold Moon popped in and out, to Marchant's Cross. The lane by Yeo and up to bluebell woods. All looks so different this time of year but the yellow dots still mark the way as they have for decades. To a very quiet Sheepstor and over the dam. Hard to know which was making the most noise, the wind in the trees or the water over the dam. Gently down to surprise a fox - neither of us expecting anyone about this time of day. And back.

So that is the walks of 2023 completed; so much variety.

WW 20th December 2023

 

You know how they say there is always something to find, something new, perhaps even a 'thing'. Never fails, whatever the weather, however dark it is, wherever you go. Well sometimes, just sometimes there is nothing, not a thing, not anything at all. And even the things that are supposed to be there, completely nailed to the ground, have mysteriously disappeared. Well this was one of those nights - perhaps the only one. Windy and rainy and very dark to set out from Peat Cot where timber is piled high (No, that does not count!). Down the track to Older Bridge and on into the rain. Down, down, down before the turn up to the cross. Crazy Well Pool was well overflowing and not a sight of a newt let alone one of those wild swimmers. They can't be really wild or they'd have been in there on a night like this. Up and over with the track steadily extending to Cramber Tor. Now with the rain on our back out, very carefully following the track, absolutely guaranteed to take us to the trig point. BUT, it wasn't there, someone had moved it or taken it down for the evening. The track continued to the beautifully manicured cycle way and on to the car. Quickly past a very closed Plume to the Prince of Wales - always open. A chat with the warriors to catch up on all their news and plans for the next 10 years. Bill was there of course and very excited about the solstice and perihelion.

So that was it, the shortest and so perhaps the darkest Wednesday of the year. Days are drawing out from now on - We Made It again!

TWW 19th December 2023

 

A dull drizzly morning for our walk start at Lowry Cross. Downhill to Welltown on the lane of increasing deterioration and to our surprise a slight lifting of the cloud and cessation of rain.

Soon joining the Princetown railway and time for a group pic by the pine tree.

Up to the Leedon Tor carparks, over the road and downhill now to coffee break at Stenlake Farm. Such a lovely place with lichen draped trees adding drama.

With the Meavy in full spate a return route along the leat was the safest path and so on to Lowry up through the woods and their "cleared" paths.

A quick drive to a local hostelry where cool temperature of chips and portion size of soup was a disappointing finish to a nice dryish morning.

Hey ho.

Anne

WW 13th December 2023

 

What a wonderful and strange night. I thought we'd been transported into a different world. Dalek like objects with blue lights with names like Beth and Will, yes, they actually had names, two on each one. Must be fun charging up your EV at 40p per KWh and paying for a parking ticket!

Out across the moors to find my fave, Hart Tor. Very strange how the night changes the terrain, tracks get lost and are found again, tors appear to disappear and appear in a different place. Just can't understand it!!
Down  past the double stone row to the metal bridge, just a bit slippy and over to Leap Falls, such a pretty little place and the falls themselves rather spectacular.
Upwards towards Black Tor, such a popular place for dog walkers and down to cross the main road weaving our way through the boggy area to my nemesis, the dreaded Leeden Tor.
No problem today so down again to the bridge to nowhere, actually Yes Tor Bridge. The skies were particularly clear, full of stars hanging in the night sky. The Geminids should be seen tonight, but alas no. Never mind. On to the redundant railway track  talking of legends and old, old stories of the stars going out, one by one until ..,..nothing!!
I was thankful to reach the good old POW for a down to earth pint.
But not before we came across not one, but two of the most ferocious and voracious predators in the pond world! Rarely seen you know.
The greater diving beetle !!!
Truly a monster.

Brenda

TWW 12 December 2023

 

Striding off from Manaton in the rain, we walked a short way up the lane before picking up a rocky track up to Hayne Down and Bowerman’s Nose.  Great views from up here over Manaton and across to Easdon Tor, the surrounding patchwork fields and the high moor beyond.  Moving on after a the obligatory group photo,  we walked on to Swallerton Gate where Brenda found a cross in a stone built into the wall of the thatched cottage.  By the time we got to the top of Hound Tor the rained had stopped and we took shelter behind the tor out of the wind.  Sandra came armed with home-made mince pies which went down a treat - yum yum.   Jane was keen to point out the remains of the longhouses below Hound Tor and obviously, not ever having seen these before, we all ooo’d and aaaah’d ;-)   Much to Jane's disappointment we took a sharp turn left towards Leighon and not straight on to the said longhouse. Nevermind Jane - next time!   More lane walking before heading in to some very old looking woods eventually coming out into the open and across a field back to the lane leading to the start.  Another excellent lunch at The Warren House Inn - Amber’s order of chips was forgotten though- sacrilege!!!   It was rectified soon enough and a sad Amber soon became a very happy Amber.  Brenda showed us her lightning quick reactions - like a Ninja Warrior - when I knocked my drink over and my raspberry crush nearly ended up in her lap!  I’ve never seen her move so fast.   

Walkers today:  Brenda, Colin, Amber, Peter M,  Peter, Sandra, Phil, Jane & Dianne 

WW 6th December 2023

 

So there we were, back in the Chesterfields by a teeny tiny red hot fire knocking back the pints.

Not been too bad a day, best check the ever reliable Met Office weather radar to see what is going on. Oh Dear Me, all blue rain soon to come battering in followed by yellow rain - whatever that is. So what to do? Well it is Wednesday, six thirty, so no choice, get your stuff on and go. Out to Two Bridges, on with all the waterproofs that can be found and through the gate. Not too bad at all - views afar and some nice warmish gentle rain. Along the track to Crockern Farm where this super duper go anywhere, do anything Land Rover rested. Now if we had one of them we would not have to go out at all! Up the gently rising track to the stile and to Little Bee. Onward with the soft rain behind to Littaford and then Longaford remembering that lovely snow walk earlier in the year. Down the track to Wistmans and out over the stile - but what is that? A big red sign warning us to 'Be Vigilant' and we hadn't been at all. In fact silly us had not even recognised the huge fire risk we had passed through. 

Worth another go, so to the Two Bridges which was very welcoming indeed. Just bad luck I guess that we got thrown out a couple of years ago. Another very pleasant evening on the moor. It is true what they say "You really do have to be there ..."

TWW 5th December 2023

 

Four of us gathered at Readymoney Cove car park keeping fingers crossed that the weather forecast was accurate for once. While the name appears to indicate a connexion to Fowey’s smuggling past it actually is a corruption of the old Cornish name for the cove-Redevan- meaning a shallow ford or stepping stones.

Our first visit was to the beach café for hot drinks and flapjacks for some before setting out across the beach to climb up to the coast path passing the Rashleigh

Mausoleum which was hidden in the trees with only the cross on the top visible.

Along the path we then looked down on St. Catherine’s Castle. There was a settlement here in the iron age and then in 1530 Henry VIII had the castle built to defend Fowey Harbour after splitting from Rome.

In the 19C it was modified during the Crimean War and then again during the 2nd World War when it had 2 Anti-Aircraft guns and an ammunition store was built.

Then along the coast to Polridmouth below the Menabilly Estate, and up to Gribben Tower. Along the path, muddier even than the week before, but views across to Par and the China Clay driers, the harbour and beach on our way to Polkerris.

Regrettably the Rashleigh Inn which had been open the week before and had signs saying it is open every day and all year, was closed. Fortunately everyone had drinks and food to keep them going.

So after a short break it was back to Readymoney via the Saints Way with just a brief shower to finish our day.

Peter