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