Rock and Stroll – Parts 1 & 2 Today’s route was not too technically challenging, but it did have a bit of fun, occasional warming sunshine, and of course a rock and stroll!
Starting from the gravel car park at Postbridge we cut up through the adjacent forest that had clearly been subjected to some fierce winds recently as some seriously large evergreen trees had been toppled exposing a once anchored root base the size of barn door.
From the forest we eventually crossed the B3212 to reach our first objective, rock and stroll part 1, or Arch Tor to anyone who knows the moor, site of the king of logan stones.
The king, a true Dartmoor rock star soon brought to life rocking under the combined feet of TWWs working in unison atop of Arch Tor to produce a thumping to rival a disco bass beat of the 70’s. From Part 1, we progressed onward to Powder Mills, the former gunpowder producing factory established in 1844, closing in 1897 that was powered by water which was carried to the site by three large leats from the East Dart and Cherry Brook rivers.
Nearing ‘cuppa time’ we were soon in the foothills of Longaford Tor to sit back, have a snack, a drink and admire a pretty good view. Soon it was up and up to the ridge running from Longaford Tor, a ridge allowing us to have a 360’ view that was worth the climb. The ridge lead us on to Higher White Tor, our highest point of the day at 527’ high if climbed right up its final steep sided tip, that some did, where two Italian tourists were admiring the view. I mention this here with confidence Higher White, but as a dyslexic who could get lost in a paper bag, getting Higher White and Lower White Tors the right way round is always a challenge, one I got wrong again today!
Lower White was our lunch stop, a Tor that has witnessed an RAF Fairly aircraft crash into it in July 1939, wreckage of which was not cleared up until 1945! We just witnessed the peaceful and distant scenery.
Final objective of the day was Braddon Tor to find rock and stroll part 2. Having not been there before I had no idea if/where a logan stone might be, but after a bit of a search it was found and brought to life. This stone at best could only be described as a prince or princess compared to the King, but it was nevertheless made to rock – day complete, well nearly as ‘we’ had to find our way back to the day’s start point which ‘we’ effectively achieved!
Charlie
Starting from the gravel car park at Postbridge we cut up through the adjacent forest that had clearly been subjected to some fierce winds recently as some seriously large evergreen trees had been toppled exposing a once anchored root base the size of barn door.
From the forest we eventually crossed the B3212 to reach our first objective, rock and stroll part 1, or Arch Tor to anyone who knows the moor, site of the king of logan stones.
The king, a true Dartmoor rock star soon brought to life rocking under the combined feet of TWWs working in unison atop of Arch Tor to produce a thumping to rival a disco bass beat of the 70’s. From Part 1, we progressed onward to Powder Mills, the former gunpowder producing factory established in 1844, closing in 1897 that was powered by water which was carried to the site by three large leats from the East Dart and Cherry Brook rivers.
Nearing ‘cuppa time’ we were soon in the foothills of Longaford Tor to sit back, have a snack, a drink and admire a pretty good view. Soon it was up and up to the ridge running from Longaford Tor, a ridge allowing us to have a 360’ view that was worth the climb. The ridge lead us on to Higher White Tor, our highest point of the day at 527’ high if climbed right up its final steep sided tip, that some did, where two Italian tourists were admiring the view. I mention this here with confidence Higher White, but as a dyslexic who could get lost in a paper bag, getting Higher White and Lower White Tors the right way round is always a challenge, one I got wrong again today!
Lower White was our lunch stop, a Tor that has witnessed an RAF Fairly aircraft crash into it in July 1939, wreckage of which was not cleared up until 1945! We just witnessed the peaceful and distant scenery.
Final objective of the day was Braddon Tor to find rock and stroll part 2. Having not been there before I had no idea if/where a logan stone might be, but after a bit of a search it was found and brought to life. This stone at best could only be described as a prince or princess compared to the King, but it was nevertheless made to rock – day complete, well nearly as ‘we’ had to find our way back to the day’s start point which ‘we’ effectively achieved!
Charlie