WW 22nd January 2025

 

Sometimes strange things happen on the moors. We were promised a clear sky and great sightings of stars and planets as there was no moon. This was indeed the case as we got out of the cars at Peat Cot quarry. So it was off to Nuns Cross using said stars to guide us. It was very soon after this that it got a bit strange. Suddenly it was as if someone pulled a thick blanket over us. We were shrouded in thick mist with only a few yards of visibility. Not a problem we knew where we were and where we wanted to go. Just follow the track to Eylesbarrow. But the track proved difficult to follow. Now there is a navigational technique called boxing, where you avoid a large feature such as a lake by walking at 90 degree angles to form a square:- which is just what we did, but there was nothing to avoid! Eventually reaching Eylesbarrow by using a compass we retreated down to the cycle track, back to Nuns Cross and along the track to the cars. Back to the POW. In good time for a pint and a laugh about our route.

‘Never be cocky when out on the moor.'

Mike

TWW 21st January 2025

 

It was a cold but bright morning as we gathered at Norsworthy Bridge. Out through the old field systems, past Snapper Tor and Little Down Tor and up to Down Tor proper for a quick photo shoot.  Descending the south side of the tor, we made our way through more fields to the remains of West Deancombe Farm.  Here we decided to stop in the dappled sunshine for an early coffee break.  Once refreshed, we continued southwards over Narrator Brook then uperty up to Yellowmead Down.  A slow but steady climb took us up to Sheeps Tor, with its panoramic views of Gutter Tor, Leather Tor and Burrator Reservoir.  Down the west side of the tor (by a slightly tricky route) and on to Beechcroft Plantation, before contouring round below Sheeps Tor, past Narrator Plantation and Narrator Farm to the road. While most followed the “official route” through the arboretum, past Middleworth Farm back to the cars, a few rebels opted simply to follow the road!  Walking over, it was off to the Rock for a well-earned lunch.

Phil

WW 15th January 2025

 

The forecast was for a clear evening with the Wolf Moon, lots of planets and stars ...

Heading up from home and what was that huge golden orb sitting in the middle of the road - The Wolf Moon. Fabulous, so out to the Hairy Hand Bridge for a full display. The moon guided us up the tracks - surprisingly not over muddy - to the forestry road. Round to the bend to seek out the familiar track, but too many fallen trees. However a little further on the ponies had tramped a nice track up and out. Soon at Bellever Tor and the skies were ablaze. Full moon with Mars, Casper and Pollux in alignment. Time for a leisurely sit, a cuppa and try to work out what everything was. So much to see. Venus and Saturn so close in the sky shining brightly over Princetown and even a brief satellite. So down, down to the track to the forestry and round where the nightjars play. Soon to the Lych Way and Venus and Saturn directly in line to guide us back. The Plume was shut but the ever faithful Prince of Wales was as welcoming as ever with Bill making sure the bar did not close.

A fabulous evening to be out on the moor.

TWW 14th January 2025

 

The weather gods smiled on us today.

In fact their smiles got bigger and bigger and the sun came out !!
But first, on to the open, past soldiers pond, where in 1853, a Corporal Penton, died trying to get back to Princetown with two others in a much more colder and snowier winter than we get now.
So on to Hart Tor, a small tor with big views.
Down the valley, past "mullet man" and remains of tin streaming, a type of surface mine, taking alluvial tin from the streams and riversl.
Over Hart Tor Brook (no problem there) and a climb to Cramber Tor.
Again a small tor with outstanding views.
On on to Crazywell pool, no newts to be seen today, for nice refreshments.
A short distance from there, the repaired Crazywell Cross was inspected. Apparently the head and arms of this cross was found in Crazywell Pool when it was drained in the early 1900's and securely put back in its rightful place. Seems there were vandals and hooligans back then too!

Following the Abbots Way, alias the Monastic Path alias the monks path, rather tortuous in place we reached Ivy bridge lane. Got bored with that, so tried out a different "track" and came where we started. Good job it wasn't foggy!!
To the POW again, yawn ,yawn  where most us preferred tomato soup for our preferred lunch.

We are a strange bunch!!

Brenda

WW 8th January 2025

 

Sometimes; discretion is the better part of ...

Didn't seem too bad setting off, a small amount of rain but all OK. BUT, crossing the cattle grid on Pork Hill the world changed. Lots of snow and all looking a bit slippy. Parked up at the car park with the wind really howling and the donutters out a change of plan seemed advisable. So down to the Whitty where all was nice. Out along to Middlemoor and up the ancient track. A lot to read as it seems there has been a problem with access - all resolved now. To Shorts Down, where the wind was rather brisk, and across Plasterdown. Plenty of vehicles heading up Peek and Pork Hill with plenty of orange lights - gritters and recovery vehicles I guess. Warrens Cross and onto the golf course. Nice going to finally reach The Pimple and a bit of shelter. Down and back. The Whitty is closed for a couple of weeks; gone to seek sunshine probably. So into Tavi to the ever reliable Spoons and the usual competition to buy a round. Actually made rather a nice evening walk to welcome in 2025.

TWW 7th January 2025

What a wonderful morning to be out walking. Fresh glistening snow. Sunshine, very little wind.

We couldn't wait, could we? What could go wrong?
We e e ll !! Nowhere to park, that's what. Too much snow ! Yes really, so after a consultation with the leader of our intended walk, we went back to reliable Princetown and started our walk from there. Easy peasy, I thought as we trudged through deep snow to North Hess,  Oh no it wasn't! At least one us was gasping  oh yes we were. 
Panto time was here.
But no respite, photo taken next to trig point and off again.  Down to Hollow, a much underrated tor for a very quick drink and off again down to the Yellowmead track.
Up past Foggintor, no time to explore, anyway too slippery for us oldies!!
Tis' a killer trying to walk rough ground  disguised with about 3 inches of snow,  but we reached the rough old track, which I think is part of the Dartmoor Way  back to Princetown. The views were breathtaking, the walking hard and the POW a welcome place to have a sit down and a bite to eat, joined by some who for one reason or another couldn't make the walk.
Oh and the delightful Elsie who was very entertaining.

So all's well that ends well
See you next week, Princetown is SO popular, you know!

Brenda