WW 30th October 2024

 

T'was the evening before Halloween

The ghouls and ghosts were preparing for the next night of scary happenings.
It was earily quiet, not warm  not cold, only in some dark, dank places, very cold! The odd rustle of autumn leaves sent shivers down our spines
How? How ? there was not a breath of wind !
When suddenly half hidden in some dark cave festooned with hanging lichens, three scary  "beings" jumped out cackling maniacally!   AHHHH !!! 👺💀👻

Right that's enough scary stuff

Down through the lane by Hillside, all's well. Down to the newly refurbed, inside and outside, very white Long ash farm, much bigger than it looks, lots fields, outhouses, up for sale at a reasonable £750 K and and all the plants and pots thrown in!  What a bargain, must go and see my bank manager!!
On through the mud and gaze at the one of many tributaries off the river Walkham. Looked very angry tonight but also interesting.
On up to the woods surrounding Hucken tor, now that truly is a spooky place, felt sure we were being followed!
Thank goodness, soon out to the safety of open ground and on to the old railway track.
It was a good clear night with fab views and soon found the "proper" track down to the same tributary as earlier,  it's very long and it doesn't hang about. Over that with a bit of help and onwards towards the magnificent Merrivale stone rows.
We stopped to admire the very large list, sends a shiver down my spine actually, looking around were those eyes watching us ?
Moving on down to the road and back to the cars at the Dartmoor Inn at Merrivale but we didn't go in, no no!
On to the safety of a very busy Whitty   for a pint and chat.
All in all very nice indeed.

Brenda

TWW 29th October 2024

 

A walk in two halves

The leader had a poorly foot and worried that it wouldn’t stand up to the full six plus miles so the first half was lead by Raz.

The weather was better than expected with early mist warming to sunny intervals. The travellers had returned from their various expeditions so almost a full house met at West Down. It was good to welcome Emily who brought down the average age of the group considerably.

They set off east across the Down to find the muddy path down through the woods to meet the Walkham, past the Wedding Venue and over Grenofen Bridge. Reports of two Yellowhammers spotted and a Dipper later. The route followed the river upstream passing under Gem bridge. Even more impressive from below. The path by the river had been eroded in places so a higher one deep in leaves following an old leat was a better option. On past the sewage works the group took a right hand fork up to the old railway bridge over the so called Dartmoor Way. And on up to Long Ash where the official leader was waiting. Beverages and cake were much enjoyed by all.

Back onto the Moor we followed a beautiful little path through Hele Plantation surrounded by ancient oak, birch and sweet chestnut trees. Popping out into the sunshine there were lovely views back to where we had come from. There was a confusion of leadership when I decided to take a detour to find Barra Tor hidden amongst the trees, it doesn’t look very impressive until viewed from below.

We rejoined the path down to Tavy Cottage over an Adit which would be worth further exploration another time. Past the cottage where the “Old Lady” (probably younger than any of us are now) used to tell my children off for throwing stones into  “Her River”!

A little path off the main track took us to “the swimming pool” the fisherman’s shelter had gone but it was a lovely quiet spot for lunch.

Then over the bridge, following the Tavy upstream this time with what felt like a ticker tape welcome of leaves gently falling around us. Up, up by the waterfall and back to the cars.

A very pleasant autumnal walk, new to some but bringing back old memories to others.

Stella

WW 23rd October 2024

 

A super starlit evening to set out from Norsworthy Bridge.

Up the old fungus trail, not looking too promising but take your time. And, slowly you get your eye in and they start to appear. And the highlight a beautiful Amethyst Deceiver - quite rare apparently. Onward to pop out over the stile and up. Soon to Raddick Lane to the open moor. A perfect place to stop a while for a cuppa and some star and satellite watching. A bit too early for the Orionids but plenty to see. On the wide track to a very quiet Crazy Well Pool - just where are all those supposed wild swimmers? Hopes were high and there they were, some lovely little newts. Up to the leat and along, all most pleasant until the steep descent to the aqueduct. Into the woods and down where lots and lots of oak trees have been planted to the steady planks over Meavy Just as we commented about not seeing even one frog one dutifully appeared, all nice and coppery. Along, along by Lethertor bridge and back. Somewhat late to the Burrator Inn but, as expected, a warm welcome.

A most pleasant evening to be out and about.

TWW 22nd October 2024

 

Today’s walk had a hidden theme of structures through the ages.  A small group assembled in the forest car park at Postbridge and immediately lost two members – it really is a good idea to remember to bring your coat at this time of year!

Off across the road and a quick pop in to the Visitor Centre then down the road across the bridge and a quick wave at the wonderful clapper bridge.  Then on to a meander round the back lanes of Postbridge – it always amazes me how much there is hidden behind the main road through the village.  A brief pause at the Cemetery and then onwards past the lovely but slightly weird (or spooky) Lower Merripit.  The house of course started life as a medieval longhouse and you can still see where it would have had a thick thatched roof!

Onwards up the bridleway to cross the road and the lower slopes of Merripit Hill to the next road.  Across again then up the grassy track pausing to find the remains of the probable accommodation building and then the bomb shelter before reaching the octagonal concrete base of the High Frequency Direction Finding station.  It would have been a wooden building constructed in 1942 part of Operation Pipsqueak but was never operational being succeeded by more advanced systems.  It made a good bench to perch on for a cuppa!

To the top of Merripit Hill and follow the wall to its end and round past the Vitifer Mine Leat (disused) twice to find the stone row – well it is allegedly there buried under the rampant Molinia grass – “one of the least spectacular on the Moor”.  Following it up to the virtually non-existent cairn “and it is just possible that the internment remains undisturbed “.

Contouring round to visit briefly a wonderful Bronze Age settlement and then down to a medieval enclosure and …….. you’ve guessed it……. the remains of a Longhouse – well it is my walk – unusual in that if runs across the slope rather than down.  Some got really excited about this ……  well to be honest……. just me 😊.

Up then to Stannon Tor to find a bit of shelter from the breeze to enjoy the view and picnic.  Beautiful views all the way north and south.  On the final leg now.  Down to admire the 18^th century Sheepfold firstly built for a potato growing starch venture possibly before the sheep moved in.  Along the ridge, over Hartland Tor down to the river and back to the starting point via an ice-cream stop for some of us. 

A walk that was pretty wet underfoot but in the end not wet from the sky!

Jane

WW 16th October 2024

 

What a gloomy, dank Dartmoor evening! But very enjoyable, yes, honestly

There were flares to show us the way.
Fluorescent lichens to light our way in the woods, even what looked like a boiled egg on a branch! (Not eaten!)
Bright and unusual frogs (escapees from Brazilian rainforest?)
             So, from the carpark up the road on to a mushy path over several slippery styles and into the woods next to a very noisy Cowsic river crashing it's way through. Rather slippery though....wet leaves.
           Out onto the track to Beardown farm, new notices showing the way for motorhomes to park up. Non tonight though.
           Past the farmhouse strangely quiet, no barking dogs, no cattle and very few sheep.
Has Dartmoor gone to sleep?
          Passing over the leat and upwards over Beardown hill, the army were trying to find each other with flares, Merrivale way.
          No more tracks now, so follow the ridge up to the wall.
Why do my legs have a penchant for going down when they should be going up?
            Bit of toing and froing and found a wall to follow downwards to gate that diagonally down to the rather quiet leat and through the woods. Fog started to lift a bit as we walked past the farm and past the slippery wood, had enough of those styles! And down the lane to main road
           Straight into an empty Two Bridges, everyone had gone to bed according to the manager . We had our usual in front of a miniscule fire and could be as loud as we wanted, no one was there, not even the staff!!
         It was a good evening, why don't you join us and have a laugh.!!🤗

Brenda

TWW 15th October 2024

 

A dry and promising start with eleven gathered by Meavy Green for a gentle stroll. 

Off through the village and over the bridge. Over the cattle grid and left towards Yeo Farm with Marchant's Cross on our right. Only one hill in this walk but that being a constant slope along the edge of Lynch Down to Ringmoor Cottage and over on to Ringmoor Down where the lovely view of Sheepstor shone in the warm sunshine.

Now, down the road to Collyton, past the pretty ford and barking dogs to our coffee stop at Kit Mine. ( marked as "Tin Mine (dis)" on the O.S.map)

Three shady buddles gave plenty of seating choice whilst evidence of a waterwheel,  an adit and a mine associated building gave a chance to explore.

On now to Sheepstor Church , much foreign history and links to Sarawak, and then along the lane to Burrator Reservoir which was surprisingly low.

Along the shore and dam. Ducks sailing away. Choice of parallel routes to Burrator Dam.

Down now through the mossy Meavy Valley with its tumble down chestnut trees to climb over and back through the village to the very warm bar of the "Oak" and a generous lunch.

Anne

WW 9th October 2024

 

It's true - you really do have to be there.

Always good to have a clear objective, so that we had. As the Goose Fair revellers gathered on the airfield to head into Tavi, we headed the other way. Out from the golf club as the twilight golfers packed away their clubs and down No. 1. Round the old mine workings and along the damp tracks. To seek out the place, the very place, where we were sure, they would be, as they have been for quite a few years. Sure we were in the right place, at the right time of year, in the perfect conditions. So we spread out on the hunt - but not a sign. In fact very few fungi at all - just lots of huge slugs. No matter a nice evening with a goodly moon to guide  us up to the hillfort. And there, for the very first time on a Wednesday walk, at the side of the path a lovely plump hedgehog. Yes, no wonder he was plump with all those slugs. And no we did not search for clay to cook up a feast. The hillfort banks made a nice spot for a sit and a cuppa. All too soon down the other side and across the busy, busy A386. Back along with our dear leader managing to find the muddiest of tracks until, eventually, we hit the greens. So nice and easy up the fairways and back. On to the ever reliable, albeit very quiet Rock for an easing pint.

Nice

TWW 8th October 2024

 

A SMALL SELECT BAND, LOTS OF MIST, HEAVY RAIN, AND A STRONG WIND,

Unfortunately someone did not check the RV on the website and went to Brisworthy instead of Brisworthy Burrows - a lesson learnt.
So off in some real Dartmoor weather up and around Little Trowlesworthy Tor to head off towards Hen Tor, which briefly appeared through the mist, mostly on grass, small tracks with some tussock for interest. A brief shelter among the rocks below Little Hen Tor for a cuppa. At this point a decision was made not to stick to the original plan to go up to the trig point and along the ridge to Shell Top, which would have been  straight into the wind and rain and most unpleasant. Instead we headed down across Hen Tor Meadows to the leat opposite Ditsworthy Warren House. Following the leat which was rather rough and obscured by bracken to start with then negotiating a couple of slightly problematic crossings of Hen Tor Brook and Spanish Lake.  A spot of lunch perched on a bank overlooking the very swollen Plym and back to Trowlesworthy and the cars.
Always be ready to adapt plans!

Mike

WW 2nd October 2024

 

West Down

Now we haven’t been there for some time and the last time there were lots of youngsters learning about mountain biking and some of them were there again!

Off to follow the walls around and into the woods to drop down an increasingly muddy track to Lower Grenofen but the track alongside the house has been treated to a welcome upgrade, as has the track and car park over the bridge. Up the steep stony track through the woods keeping to the small track to the side and emerging out of the trees to turn right and staying above Bymore wood to reach the road to Bucktor which took us down to Double Waters, and a newly built bridge, which did look a bit of a joke sitting up isolated in a rocky flood plain - thank goodness the rivers weren’t high. A quick stop for a drink by the river, then on along the bank to the final steep up towards the cars, with a stop to admire the clear starlit night, then it all started to happen - was it the space station going over? Apparently not, then another and a third, now presumed to be part of Elons fleet of Teslas (just duck when the batteries run out ) then finally a shooting star, that was a treat.

On to the Spoons and treated to some of the cheapest (and strongest) beer in West Devon.

A good local walk. 

Mike

TWW 1st October 2024

 

What a fun day, or rather, what a fungi day!!

A large Fly Agaric, minus it's spots.
Yellow stagshorn, I think.
King Alfred's cakes, up a tree.
Fox moth caterpillar, nicknamed "devils gold rings" they curl up under some moss or undergrowth for the winter.
A dung or minotaur beetle.
And FIVE newly restored SAFES, made in Birmingham!!!!
 
So, down Shapley hill with a quick inspection of the early cast iron GPO posts showing the depth of telegraph cables in the ground. Interestingly it shows how the level of the road has changed.
Round the corner by the half hidden Leapra cross and across fields following the Two Moors Way to Lower West Combe farm, a fabulous 16th century long house, the land that time forgot. Looks like it's empty now apart from several safes and metal boxes belonging to long gone former residents. I wish we could get just a glimpse of the past there.
On over the brook and awkward stile, several fields, woodland and onto our coffee stop. I love the ancient trees here at Lower Hookney. The troubles of the world seem so far away.!
Through the arboretum at Heathercombe, fairy toadstool 🍄 found, up the steep hill and onto the moors.
Can we find the track this time?
We did ! wasn't where it was supposed to be. Time was going on now so a bit of short cutting was in order. Over to the corner of one of the best walls on the moors and follow the track for miles (it seemed like it).
The always popular Highland coos and their calves tried to bar our way but we would have none of it , the Warren House was waiting for us.
Baguettes, jackets, chips, and of course the famous rabbit pie.
Freshly caught in the warren opposite of course !!
Another lovely walk on a lovely day X.

Brenda