The forecast was for light rain and a gentle breeze all day! We headed off from the Quarry Car Park along the track to Crockern Farm, with light rain and a fresh breeze on our backs. Up the path to Crockern Tor and into the mist. Along the ridge past Littaford and Longaford tors. The planned deviation to visit the stone row was aborted, and we continued to Higher White Tor. Our search for a sheltered spot for a brew took us over the wall, and behind some rocks. The breeze was still fresh, and the rain was still falling. Suitably refreshed, we followed the wall downhill to the West Dart. Sadly, the water level was considerably higher than it had been for the reccy, and the chosen crossing point was no longer tenable. Walking further upstream failed to identify an alternative crossing point, so it was time to adopt plan B, and stop for lunch! A picnic in the rain tends to be a fairly short meal, and it was not long before we were on our way again through the mist in the direction of Wistman’s Wood. Although there are plenty of paths in this part of the valley, none seemed to be going in the right direction, and we zig-zagged first uphill toward Longaford Tor, then downhill towards the weir, before we eventually found a path that took us to the wood. The rain had just about stopped as we assembled by the Buller Stone for a quick photograph, before making our way back to the cars. It was still raining. Conclusion, the weather forecast is sometimes right.
Phil