Just five of us today, squeezed into one car! Easy to park and off we go.
Up to the famous late bronze age Grimspound, possibly named after Grim the Anglo-Saxon god of war.
On up onto Hameldown Tor and across to Broad barrow or Burrow as the " head stone" says, one of five erected by the Duke of Somerset to denote boundaries apparently.
Along the spine of Hameldown several of the wooden posts put in to deter any illicit landings by aircraft during the war, still surviving the harsh Dartmoor weather, now home to many lichens and "bugs".
On to Two Barrows famous for it's human remains and dagger when excavated some time ago.
Turning left and taking a little used track down the valley, bit dodgy in places, but a bit exciting down to our coffee stop at corner of the Heathercombe estate, unfortunately just as it started to rain. Who cares?
Not us!
Charlie, unknowingly, found he was carrying a passenger which made it's escape from his rucksack (photo above).
Through the woods and a lovely meander to peaceful Heathercombe village, home of the Three fishes,or three stones and nine fish.!!
All denoting the religious beliefs of one of the estates owners, Claude Pike.
Starting up hill now to emerge onto a lovely flat piece of ground, tennis court size, origin not known.
Turning left onto the bridleway shown on the map, our troubles started, where was it? No track here!
One Dartmoor's mysteries!
Just to prove that OS maps are wrong!
We weaved through gorse and heather (very vibrant colours) here, there, and everywhere until we reached Grimspound again. (Collective sigh of relief). Thank goodness it wasn't foggy!
Down the rocky road to the car.
Pile in, and off the everyone's favourite pub Warren House, just emptying out a coach load so we could sit next to an ailing fire.
All's well that ends in a pint!!
Brenda