TWW 30th January 2024
Although it has been a popular venue for evening walks, I can’t remember the last time we did a Tuesday walk from Norsworthy Bridge. Looking back at the Archive it would appear to have been the “Fifteen Farms and Five Caves” walk in September 2020!
There was a big yellow thing shining down from the sky as we set off in the direction of Down Tor. Despite the sun, the air was cool, and hats and gloves were the order of the day. A quick photocall on the top of Down Tor, before descending to the Cairns and the Stone Row. Past the stones, and on to the emergence of the Devonport Leat from the tunnel below Nun’s Cross Farm. Here we came across another group of walkers stopped for coffee beside the leat (how dare they!). After exchanging pleasantries, we continued to the old smithy where we stopped for a brew.
Suitably refreshed, we followed the leat downstream past the “water monitoring station” (quite what it monitors or how is a mystery) and on past Hutchinson’s Cross. Picking up the bridleway, we crossed over Older Bridge, and proceeded past Newlycombe Cross to Raddick Plantation, encountering numerous dog walkers along the way. Down Raddick Lane, past Leather Tor Bridge, and back to the cars. I think we encountered more people during this walk than on all the walks since Christmas put together!
A short drive to Yelverton for an enjoyable lunch at The Rock rounded of a very pleasant morning.
Phil
WW 24th January 2024
We do get some contrast in weather down here. Last week it was at least -5 degrees with a biting wind. This week it was at least +10 degrees with just a gentle breeze. There was a promise of a full moon and an appearance of the ISS but both obscured by the low cloud.
Sometimes you plan a walk and then when you are out doing it you realise you have dragged it up from your memory and you have done it before. Still a good walk is always a good walk.
Leaving the car park it was down to the leat and following it along to the aqueduct. What on earth has been going on there? SWW spending some of their excessive profits methinks. Up to Black Tor then across the road to find a track to the Princetown railway line. West a short way, down an old wall, over the old bridge to find Little Fur Tor. It only remained to climb up to Leeden Tor and back to the cars. All done in jolly good time for a pint in the Burrator Inn with quite a few customers still in evidence.
Mike
TWW 23rd January 2024
A fair exchange is no robbery. That's what they say !
So, are Chips, Rabbit pie and a pint a fair exchange for a misty, drizzly and a howling windy walk from Bennetts cross? Eight of us thought it was a bargain, the other three cheated and went straight to the pub, all three had tenuous excuses!! Traffic gridlock, appointments. You know, the usual stuff!!Battling the elements, the track to Birch Tor was easily definable but the tor itself drifted in and out of the low cloud. Very windy, wobbly legs but the track to the Headland Warren farm was again clearly visible. A few alpacas were sheltering in the barn, the outhouses showed previous wind damage but it was all eerily quiet.
Along the valley floor following the West Webburn river, the field systems or lychets clearly seen. The terraces are a type of medieval agricultural terracing.
The land was cleared of rocks and used to build walls. Strip ploughing with oxen caused the earth to slip and eventually reach the top of these walls causing the lychets!
Well I never!
Quick look at the slumbering troll, All's well....just!
Time for a well earned coffee break by the pond and then across the down for a quick recce of the Golden Dagger mine and further on, Dinah's house, she moved about a bit that one.
On through much standing water and of course, mud.
In the pretty Red Water Valley are the remains of Vitifer mine and the remaining wall of the carpenter's shop decorated with the name of some unknown person.
A short, sharp climb and we could see our cars.
We made it!
Back to the Warren House Inn where we got the service we've come to expect!
Well? Was it a fair exchange?
Brenda
WW 17th January 2024
Now that was rather chilly, especially for those just returned from the tropics. The ground as hard as stone to set out from Princetown. No mud at all - NO MUD AT ALL! Out along the higher track as the moon shined bright; steadily to Foggintor. Round and down to a very icy pool. Easily across the usually gloopy bit and over to check. Rather a surprise, most all of the icicles had fallen down and there was definitely signs of a thaw - signs of things to come? A nice spot sheltered from the cool wind for a cuppa was found. Very athletically out and up to North Hessary shining bright. Down, down, down to the bright lights of Princetown and straight into the Prince of Wales. Fears of no beer were soon allayed with a warm welcome. A nice spot to catch up on all the wonderful sights of the wanderers.
A very nice clear cold evening to be out on the moor. Perhaps it will never rain again?
TWW 16th January 2024
Blue sky thinking was the order of the day as we set off from
the Walkhampton Inn with cloudless skies and sunshine to St. Mary’s Church that
sits on a hill about ½ mile from the village. The church has six bells that two
of our group are very familiar with.
Leaving the church, we progressed over fields, parts of which
were still frozen solid from the previous night’s frost, most welcome under
foot though instead of many weeks of mud.
Eventually we came out on a roadway that was to take us to
Eggworthy where we stopped for a cup of cheer sitting by a stream under ancient
trees that had seen a few things beneath them over scores of years – including
today; TWWs being spoilt with birthday chocolates and homemade cookies provided
by two generous celebrators, one for a birthday (Anne), one for a returning TWW
after illness (Liz).
Suitably refreshed we soon passed some roadside pixies
guarding a farm entrance, no doubt just like the film Toy Story, they would
spring into life as soon as we were out of sight.
After a right at the next crossroad, we climbed to open
moorland and the track to Routrundle with its rustic charm and diesel fumes
from a humming generator producing electricity for what appeared to be an unoccupied
building.
Breathing clean air again, via a wet lane, we turned onto the
old railway track bed to cross the footbridge spanning the main road, skirting
the edge of the Peekhill Plantation to Lowery Cross (removed many years ago),
down past Yennadon Cross and down to Welltown (see our WhatsApp for far more
learned info from Jane and Brenda on these crosses).
Not long after a path took us past two horses watching buzzing
chain saws being used in their field (they didn’t mind the noise) to arrive at
the Walkhampton Inn for lunchtime refreshments, bang on 1330, our planned
arrival time!
Charlie
WW 10th January 2024
A super clear moonless evening to set out from Oakley Cottage. Every star shining bright and quite good visibility to the skylines. Over to check on the goldfish, a slight skim of ice so I guess they are all tucked up nice and warm in the depths. Along by the tares to Pew and down to the dew pond - well frozen. Heckwood beckoned and over to peep at Vixen Tor. Will we ever be allowed there again? By the chattery leat to the icy ford and up to seek out Windy Post - and there it was with the lights of Plymouth in the distance. Back up the back of Pew and gently back down.
A very fine evening to be out and about.
TWW 9th January 2024
The weather forecast was for a cold day with the possibility of snow, and as we gathered in the car park there was indeed a flurry.
Whilst preparing to depart a phone was found on the ground, trying to find who it might belong to was initially difficult as the screen was locked. However, there was a weather forecast displayed for Yelverton and after checking pockets one of our number had to admit it was theirs it having fallen out of their pocket when getting out of Colin’s car.
It was then off through the snow on solid ground towards the Celtic Cross, formerly a standing stone that like many in Cornwall that had been repurposed.
As we continued to the first of the many relics of the local mines Amber spent her time breaking every bit of virgin ice she could find, must be an American thing!
Then following the old miners' track we descended to the outskirts of St. Cleer, via Darite, to make our way to the magnificent Trethevy Quoit where another visitor took photographs for Jon so there would be that rare photograph, the complete group of walkers.
We then descended into Crows Nest and with time to spare before visiting the hostelry we had a short stroll to the steep steps which were the route for the short cut back to the car park, but not for us. Arriving at the pub we were surprised that food was available so packed lunches stayed in rucksacks and hot food by a roaring fire were the order of the day, and it was jolly good with bowls of chips ordered for one but feeding many more. There was also the tale of the “ice” in the Ladies loo. (no names no pack drill).
Onwards then to Carardon Mines passing under the old railway/tram bridge to explore the old mine workings. After wandering through the area we then picked up the remains of the track bed to make our way to the old cottage, the only time that it was wet under foot. Since our last visit it has been taken over by builders who are renovating it and the surrounding grounds and the change is remarkable.
We then followed the track back into Minions where the pub is still surrounded by scaffolding and no sign of progress, thank goodness for The Crows Nest!
Peter
WW 3rd January 2024
No rain, but plenty of sticky, slippy mud. Skis might have been more serviceable.Mud mud, glorious mud
Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood
So follow me follow, down to the hollow
And there we shall wallow in glorious mud.
And so I did, wallow I mean just like the hippo....... A baby one of course!
Thanks Charlie and Jane for that!!
From a wet and empty Long Ash car park, a long way down to the river Walkham zigzagging, sliding, balancing, falling, negotiating lots of water and mud, trees and undergrowth.
Finally reaching the relative safety of Magpie CP.
Choosing a nice easy path through the woods, not too close to the raging river, out on to the magnificent Gem Bridge with much new ironwork and another look at Terry's swing, ahhh memories!!
Down to beautiful Grenofen Bridge where the waters were very dark and angry. Wading through the mini lakes of the carpark and up, up and more up the rocky track until finally we reached, yes, you've guessed it, more mud, this time large, deep channels ground into the track. But it was on the flat!
Reading the tree line and finding a left hand track through the dead bracken , we realised the sky had cleared and the stars were out in force. We even named some of them!
Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky..........!
And so, back to the Rock, always open always welcoming .
Brenda
TWW 2nd January 2024
Storm Henk kindly put in an appearance today bringing gale force winds & rain so the hike had to be quickly rearranged to avoid the knee deep cows muck & the bull's field. We still managed to find enough mud to slip & slither our way around the course & all end up looking like something out of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. The cobwebs were blown away when we reached the coastal inlet & elevenses had to be diverted to a clearing where we drank coffee with one eye on violently swaying trees. Just over 6 miles later we dived into the Ploughboy Inn & enjoyed lunch out of the elements.
Colin & Amber
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