WW 28th August 2024

 

Another of my favourite little walks.

We all know it well. Hartor,  Cramber, trigpoint, South Hess and home.
The new lazy dams recently constructed in the gullys were bone dry whilst we were picking our way through bog and mud. Am I missing something here ?
Fab views from Hartor, the light and shadows just right.
Would we see the sun set before we reached Cramber? No clouds of midges this time Stella!
Indeed we did, a few clouds tried to spoil the show but it was still mesmerising.
The trig point was very easily seen in the distance. How could we possibly have missed it last time we were here.
Photo taken here with perfect light and reflections, then on to an ever increasing gloopy, uneven track, to South Hess.
The night drawing in now we met family out for an 'exciting night walk"
Dad getting in his 'steps' and two little lads showing off their wrist torches. You'll need those we said.
On down the longest track in the world and at the end a pub lit up like a Christmas tree. Let's go in we said, see what it's like.
The Plume of Feathers was open for business, hey ho and very pleasant too.
If only it was open on Tuesdays!

Brenda

TWW 27th August 2024

 

Taking the opportunity of a ‘no firing August’ we set off to explore part of the area surrounding Willsworthy Camp without fear of being used as handy targets.

Following the tarmac access road from our RV, we walked up and past the many rifle ranges, still fit for purpose even though they are from a previous era and onward past a couple of inactive diggers (not Aussies) the mechanical type waiting to start work, diggers which seem to be such a common sight on the moor these days.

Skirting White Hill, examining a range with a railed target system along the way, we came across more workers with their tool laden vans partly blocking our trail, we soon crossed the Walla Brook to progress up a not quite gentle slope to Doe Tor for a well deserved cuppa stop, a sit down and an admire the view moment. The weather was picking up and the view clear.

Sharp Tor was our next objective, a tor standing proud at 519’ with equally spectacular 360 views. I originally decided to move on to Chat Tor next, but not being the most scenic tor, we turned to the path for Hare Tor and our proposed picnic spot for today where we met up with Stella who had been walking in reverse to the planned route to join up with us. This tor was a great place for a picnic, with views, a sheltered rock to sit on in lee of the prevailing wind, so what more could we ask for on a summer’s day walk.

Suitably fuelled up from our picnic goodies, Ger Tor was next on the list then down a tricky decent over clitter of varying sizes to the crossing point over Willsworthy Brook. By now the sun was blazing as we ascended the path to return to the top ranges and the original tarmac returning us to the start RV.

We got back unscathed from the ranges, not seen as expendables in an alternative film called Bullet, we were just glad to look forward to another walk next week.

Charlie

WW 21st August 2024

 

The first real, proper, dark evening walk of the season - and very nice too.

Dark clouds looming as we headed to Dunnabridge. But no rain forecast and no rain came. Hard to find the track down with all the prickles and bracken. Soon out into the fields and not too muddy to get to the Dart. Lots of Himalayan Balsam climbing up the banks - don't suppose they will be able to get rid of it now. A softly grazing family of Devon Reds ambled along besides us. We decided to pause a while to let the huge bull with a ring in its nose show us the way. Neatly and gracefully across Swincombe Meet Steps and on to the Swincombe steps. Out to the road and past the huge piles of precious (?) timber. Up and on to Hexworthy with all its lovely thatched cottages. Huccaby Bridge soon appeared and a nice spot for a cuppa. Soon time to go up and past the shouty postbox and a brief check that St. Raphael's is as wonderful as ever. By the road and out with Huccaby Tor peeping on the horizon. Steadily the light eased away and it got rather dark. No matter, torches out and the straight, straight path took us by part of Brimpts Mine to the main track and soon back to Dunnabridge.

Later than should be so no time for the pub, but it had been a wonderful evening to explore a particularly pretty part of the moor.

TWW 20th August 2024

 

Off we set from Prewley with a promise to visit the Meldon Wildlife Family Festival.  Some had dreams of hot dogs, coffee, flap jack and ice cream but before that we had to do some walking, to earn it!   Sourton ice works and Tor were in our sights (and hopefully the only main uphill of the day) but first a detour round the pipe laying works – well the sign did say pedestrian access this way but it lied so down, round and up again – all to avoid the rampaging diggers.

Ice works were passed, the Tor summitted and views admired – including the pipe trail heading off over the hills towards Cornwall (hope it had got a passport).  Then onwards towards Shelstone Tor for a cuppa (bring your own).  A tricky, wet and boggy descent to the weir to cross the West Ockment - really should try and recce walks I’m sure things would go much more smoothly then!

Heading off round Meldon reservoir – why did some decide the path up the hill was the way?  There was such a lovely level, clear path to follow.  They eventually rejoined the sensible two when the sheep decided to stop.  Onwards passing the dam and to our destination of the Festival at Medon Quarry.  And lo and behold there was coffee, hot dogs and ice cream (how did they know) but sadly no flapjack.  Picnic lunches were abandoned for the delights.  Time to have a wander around various displays and stalls and much was learnt about, amongst other things, curlews.  It was lovely to see so many young people and their families enjoying the joys of Dartmoor, in the sunshine.

Time to leave, a bit of wandering around until the footbridge was finally located. Then a choice arose – back along the Granite way or the West Devon way – which is shortest they said?  So it was the Granite that won the day and a nice flat easy route back to the cars – still no rampaging diggers but some archaeologists investigating. 

Lovely walking weather some sun, some cool breeze, one small brief shower and 7 ½ miles of glorious Dartmoor.

Jane

WW 14th August 2024

Starting from Peter Tavy Church we turned off the road to one of my favourite little paths by the fast flowing Colly Brook. Up through the woods below Little Coombe Tor popping out into the fields. Just a quick check on the laughing pixie then turning right to the ever unwelcoming Lower Godsworthy Farm with its pack of barking dogs. Following the footpath, ankle deep in stinking slurry, I’m sure they’ve diverted it on purpose. Out onto the track still being jumped on by smelly paws, at least Brenda didn’t get bitten this time. A quick slosh in the clear water of the brook and on up past Higher Godsworthy, another unwelcoming place.

At last out onto our beautiful Moor, the sky looking wonderful with streaks of rainbow colours. A fine coffee stop on the larger than it looks Great Combe Tor to watch a nice sunset. Then down, down a path less well travelled to find the renovated swimming pool. Why? The notice says No Swimming? I’m sure the local kids do. I do hope so, anyway we were able to release our inner child on the best swing ever.

The Peter Tavy was open and as always very welcoming.

Stella

TWW 13th August 2024

 

No firing in August so time to visit places less frequented.  Holming Beam was busy with Landmark Trust workers making targets for soldiers to shoot at. Down to the leat take off, the old hut still looking as sad as ever and the bridge getting dangerously rotten. Then the boggy crossing to where the stile used to be, but no, some brainbox decided to put it 50 yds to the left instead of where the track up to Beardown Tors starts. A nice bimble past and over the various tors and then down to Foxholes for a cuppa. Crow Tor next still looking as if it is slowly sliding down the hill. Then quite a good path to Rough Tor (pronounced router, which to me is a tool for moulding wood). Fur Tor was just showing its head over the peatlands of Tavy Head like a little hut. A few boggy holes on the way to Devils Tor ending up a little south of Beardown Man. The hardest going of the day next, from there to Lydford Tor, but then it was downhill and along a newly discovered path to the bridge. Only the nasty little ascent to the car park all newly flattened by diggers - but no drier!

A goodly walk for a clear day with a cooling breeze.

Mike

WW 7th August 2024

 

What a lovely serene evening,

You know, calm, not too warm, not too cool. No wind and no mist.
Serene, just like us walkers!
Or was it because they were totally knackered (I wonder why) as we walked up towards Cox Tor to gaze at the reflections in the dew pond. Large herds of very pretty ponies were showing off their frisky moves, unlike us, dragging our unwilling feet uphill.
A pleasant stroll  over a shallow saddle towards Roos passing the Duke of Bedford boundary stones which  forbids stone cutters from taking stone from Roos Tor.
Refreshments taken just below the flag post, no warning flags flying today, our fighting forces are on holiday!
Going downhill now to the great rock stacks of Staple Tor, even more downhill to Middle Staple, nice views from there, especially of the cars!
Down down and more down to the road. Ponies have all gone, who knows where. Just a short walk now to our cars.
Was that a sigh of relief I heard?
Back to the Whitty  for a refreshing, nay, a drowsy, making drink before back home and bed!!    Zzzzz!
Zxzzzzz.

Brenda

TWW 6th August 2024

 

Just a perfect day for our annual trip out to the Queen of Tors.

Out from Lane End with a soft westerly, blue skies and long clouds. Gently up to Ger to admire the busy Tavy and the first sight of our objective. The nice track bent us round to Tavy Cleave Tors then round the scarp before dropping in to Deadlake Foot. A nice easy crossing today, each of us with memories from previous years. Steadily up to Amicombe Hut and a nice cuppa. Along, along above the Tavy before heading down to Sandy Lake. Neatly across and then the search for a trod - and magically it appeared to take us over the peat and up the rocky slopes to Fur Tor - really magnificent today. Plenty of time for a leisurely lunch and views of the busy diggers. And then an extra treat. Up to Cut Hill to seek out and certainly find the secret thing that most likely won't be there for long. Somewhat tussocky heading back to try and sight the elusive flag pole; lots and lots of lazy dams as we headed by Fur Tor Brook. They certainly seem to work as lots of pools have formed. Soon the flag pole appeared so a bit of a final chuff needed. On to the tethering post and along the bendy track to Standon. Time for some brief sustenance before the descent by Nattor. Fortunately the Tavy was quite benign and very soon back at the cars.

A most pleasant trip out to one of our very favourite tors - with a bonus.