WW 26th February 2025

 

To a world of frogs, stars and planets.

A cooling nor' wester greeted us at Leeden Tor car park but the promise of a starlit evening was too good to miss. Up Leeden and on to find the track down to Lydford Tor. A tad early but the tramway bridge was a sheltered spot for a cuppa. Venus still super bright in the evening sky with the other planets lining up. A good time to see them as we will have to wait until 2040 for another planetary alignment. Up quite easily to the railway track and round. Frogs and frog spawn everywhere - goodness me they have been busy, hope a frost doesn't catch them. The cars made it quite easy to find the track to Devil's Elbow. Over the road to inspect the work to slow the Meavy - seems to be working a bit. Out by way of the rifle range to Hart; the moor is just so, so wet at the moment. Down the wide track to the metal bridge under Black and along the leat. Soon time to wander back up to the road and cars.

All that frog and planet spotting meant we missed the pub, but worth it on such a nice evening.

TWW 25th February 2025

 

For once the Dartmoor weather was very kind to us, with great views and sunshine. Starting near the Warren House Inn, our intended pub stop, we headed down then up steeply to the summit of Birch Tor, topping out at 1577ft where we took a photo opportunity.

Today’s walk was pretty straight forward, following well marked paths. It was hard for an even dyslexic map reader, correction, on this occasion, a phone map reader today to get it wrong – I hope I didn’t go too astray!

From Birch Tor we pushed on to skirt around Headland Warren Farm watched by very inquisitive Alpacas wondering what we were doing on their patch. Once past the farm we picked up the path to Challacombe Cottages and the once site of a medieval village. One of the walls of an ancient still standing structure had a tiny door in it at the base for the local pixies to come and go – the ancients thought of everything back in the day.

At the cottages we were welcomed by two barking, fake ferocious, dogs who were soon our best friends as we approached our cuppa stop by the pond.

Suitably refreshed, our next path took us across the side of Challacombe Down where we had a clear view of Soussons Warren, sadly too far away for some to see the famous Ephraim’s Pinch, that pleasure would have to wait for another day.

We soon left our grassy Down path for one that, due to the recent rain, resembled a running stream, we didn’t mind though, the sun was shining and the Warren House was beckoning so we cracked on. The route of the path reminded us of the massive tin mine workings that took place in and around the whole area and the hardy souls who toiled in all seasons for little reward. Also, we were reminded that spring was just around the corner as some of our group spotted pockets of frog’s spawn lying in wait before hatching.

Without realising it, we had all been ‘live streaming’ now for some time, perhaps pioneering a new meaning of environmental tech – or maybe not!

Anyway, water now behind us, we climbed upward on grass again towards the parked cars and a welcoming and warm Warren House Inn.

Charlie

TWW 18th February 2025

 

"Should have gone to Specsavers"

Was it, or wasn't it?
Ephraim's Pinch has changed beyond recognition. Several checks proved that it was indeed "the place" so we all set off up the wide track.
Zig- zagging down this track , then another and another we emerged out on the western side of Soussons. At least here, new forest was beginning to grow. That's reassuring then.
Sharp left turn, through two gates and we were out on the moors.
We followed the track beside the wall down towards the Redwater valley, very aptly named, all the watery bogs are tin coloured after the many tin mines in the vicinity.
Thought I saw a donkey but no, 'twas a pony, must get new glasses.
On to the watery track in a large puddle, two large dumps of fresh frogspawn. Froggy must have been relieved. Beverages were taken at the Miners dry, NOT Dolly Treble house, silly me!
On past the remains of a waterwheel, Dinah's house, stamping mill, buddles, and the remains of later machinery from 1920's when only surface work was carried out.
Over the path to Challacombe Down almost treading on a very active, shiny dung beetle.
We stopped to admire the very attractive sheep, Icelandic/ Shetland, where a recumbent black one was mistaken for a rock. (Really must get my eyes tested)
Finally over the stream by Soussons Farm and out onto the road and back to our cars, and not a drop of rain!
The busy POW made us welcome as usual, service was a bit slow, but hey-ho.
Now what did I have to remember?
Ah yes, should have gone to Specsavers !    

Brenda

WW 12th February 2025

 

The night of the full Snow Moon.

So, out from Ringmoor Cottage with the most amazing mackerel sky. Up the track and bendily round to Brisworthy Stone Circle. Good visibility with the moon lighting up the sky. Over Legis Lake and round the wall to seek out the gateway. Gently up toward Legis and a quick check on the vermin trap. To the summit in the fabulous light. Over the stile and along the fence to steer in the direction of Ditsworthy with the Plym gleaming below. The warren house made a nice sheltered spot to stop for a cuppa. The moon popped out from the clouds now and then - a wonderful sight. By the track and the wiggle as the way up to Gutter Tor stood out clearly in the moonlight. It all looked very busy at the Scout Hut but we saw no soldiers - perhaps they saw us. To the trig point and back along to the cars.

The Burrator Inn was well closed so on to the ever reliable Rock for a warm welcome and a cooling pint. A jolly nice winter's evening to be out on the moor.

TWW 11th February 2025

 

We started from a dry but chilly Combestone Tor.  Across the road and upwards, gently, passing medieval field boundaries and bronze age reaves.  Stopping to inspect hut circles, cairns and the fine RD,H/PUDC stones.  Richard Dawson, Holne and Paignton Urban District Council.  These mark the 700 acres of Holne Moor that was purchased from Richard Dawson for £11 per acre for the construction of Venford reservoir that was completed in 1907.  There are 52 stones altogether – a project maybe for another day.

Onwards and upwards, crossing Sandy Way path to summit Ryder’s Hill, pausing to inspect the trig point, Petre’s boundstone (Buckfastleigh) and a Holne boundary stone. Then back a bit to seek shelter from the breeze in a convenient girt to enjoy a cuppa.  And to admire another BS for Buckfastleigh, known as Bourne’s pit apparently – presumably where we were sitting, no idea who Bourne was. 😊

On then above Mardle head, admiring the leaky dams being put in to slow water flow – and there was a lot of water about, though fortunately not falling out of the sky at that point.  A walk around the girts associated with Ringleshuts mine to pick up the track to Horn’s Cross.  A favourite passing place – not looking too cross today.

And then our leader decided on a detour to try and locate the Two Thorns Cross Socket – which despite some peoples claims this had nothing to do with a well known Davy!  The socket could not be located and neither could the small triple stone row – mainly due to the leaders navigation skills ending up backwards.  A swift easy return to the cars – was that a breakaway group already there?  Did they get fed up with the search for Davy?  Or just eager to get to the pub??

Off to the Two Bridges for lunch in the posh restaurant bit – Sadly the Forest Inn is not open on Tuesdays until Easter.

Wot!  No Longhouses!!!  No sorry (though I’m sure you’re not!) not this time – maybe another day.

Jane

WW 5th February 2025

 

T'was my sort of night, clear,  the moon and stars lighting up the moors and tors.  Towns and villages twinkled and sparkled.

In fact,  almost perfect!
Just that bitter wind, not too strong but enough to make you wince when getting out of the cars.
So, a short distance along the roadside and up towards Little Staple. All the paths clearly defined without their summer growth.
I like that too!
More up to Middle Staple, bigger and more of a sprawl due to over zealous quarrying  with just a few sheep to keep us company.
Then over the saddle, passing one of the stones erected to warn stone cutters not to take anymore rock from the magnificent Roos tor, which, before being desecrated by the above, boasted two logan stones and many large basins. No flag flying tonight, so a good place to have a break. Well, it was for one of us, two forgot their flasks. Never mind, it made them more eager for that pint later.
After studying the planets, we set off again in two different directions towards the dew pond, only to meet up again at another of the Duke of Bedford's stone with the older bisected circle in a large rock beside it.
On to the very still dew pond, still no sign of any wildlife, even the slugs were comatose, finally reaching the the thufers and mole metropolis/aka
Cox Tor trig point. Another photo shoot and discussion on every thing surrounding us and we descended the dodgy track down to the cars.
The Whitty was open and welcome. Thank goodness, or words to that effect,  as conversation was stilled whilst pints were poured down thirsty throats.
Ah, that's better...........

Brenda

TWW 4th February 2025

 

Didn't seem too bad ... but was that the soft patter of rain?

So, best get the waterproofs on; proved to be a good idea. Out from Peter Tavy and up the track past the village hall. Up the steep lane and along under Little Combe Tor. Soon out into the field to check on The Green Man - looking a bit weather beaten but OK. Steadily up to the main track. Glad not to be going via the mad dogs and gloop of the Godsworthys. Past Furze Tor and out onto the open moor. Proper rain now so onward. Soon arriving at the always sombre Stephen's Grave. Not much to see, so no White Tor. Round the fields and down through the gate to Grass Lane - no frogs yet. Onto the Cudlipptown road and a bit of shelter for a cuppa by the clapper bridge up to Twyste. The main road and then down across the fields to the Tavy which was actually quite quiet. Down to the Pelton wheel at South Devon United Mine. And on it a plaque reading 'When you pass me don't forget those days gone by when my brave heart beat to the sound of a thousand men's voices echoed in water'. Up the lane to the welcoming Peter Tavy Inn. All well sat by the smoky woodburner with a slight wait for a delicious lunch.

Another very nice, damp walk.