WW 26th March 2025

 

A frog he would a-wooing go

"Heigh ho" said Rowley
A frog he would a wooing go
Whether his mother would let him or no........

It truly is that time year and I can't stop going on about it.
This evening on our walk from Leeden Tor down past Ingra to the bridge to nowhere and on to the old railway track, round the curve by the rail turning point round a bit more to the left hand gate which leads down towards boggy land and towards the pretty ford.
So, there in a large puddle an abundance of frogs, some single, some twosomes and one threesome!
What would his mother have thought of that!
The one in the middle was croaking for help I reckon, he was slowly being squished!!
Cut throat business this mating!!
We watched newts, tadpoles, whirly gigs. Fascinating! The tadpoles won't last long, the newts will grow fat on them, but that's another story.
Back up to the track towards Routrundle, an interesting signpost information us to leave any post in the box behind us.
These country folk never cease to amaze !
Conversation turned to refreshment and quickly to the appearance of ISS.
So, nowhere to sit, we watched it sail over to the south of us and did a bit of stargazing.
Refreshment forgotten, we forged on to the cars and the "nearly always open" burrator inn, for beer, crisps and chat
So very nice,  come on you guys, it's lighter now, you never what's coming next !!!

Brenda
A frog he went a wooing go
Whether his mother would let him or no .............

TWW 25th March 2025

 

Well that was a marvellous day out.

Up and out early to travel across the border to Pentewan Village. Still winter charges in the car park, £1 all day, not bad.

First to the ever welcoming Little Bay Cafe for Coffee and Cake, slight disappointment, No meringues. We discovered that the proprietress used to be a headmistress whose parents owned a patisserie in St Austell, so teaching’s loss but our gain.

Fully fortified we started up hill to find the coast path, east this time. Lots and lots of steps but beautiful views over blue sea and sky. Spring was definitely in the air. Lots of primroses and violets on the banks. After many - many ups and downs we entered The Vans, a pretty wood with newly renovated steps by the National Trust, down to a bridge and converging of the paths. We went right towards the sea to find a little beach, perfect for a coffee stop. Nice house, no one  seemed to live there, holiday home maybe visited once a year I guess, shame.

Back onto the coast path, to find a photo stop by a huge monument stone dedicated to ‘The voice of Cornwall’ AL Rowse CH. ( Companion of Honour) along with Judi Dench apparently. Poet and Historian. Time was getting on and the pub was calling so no time to explore Black Head.

Unfortunately it was up, up again the footpath leading straight into someone’s back garden?  But no, soon we popped out onto the road at Trenarren. Again some very nice houses, some actually lived in. Then down, down back to the Vans to find a path back up! Over the ‘Defective Bridge’ actually totally collapsed so most paddled through the stream. Then on up a wonderful old sunken lane with high banks covered in primroses to pass a house with feral children and hens to the road back to Pentewan and the very nice Ship Inn.

Great! I think we’ll come again.

Stella

WW 19th March 2025

 

Froggy went a courtin' ... no Miss Mousey for him!

Still plenty of light to set out from Kit Hill - no need for torches, for a bit. To do the traditional round - widdershins. All super dry - don't suppose it will rain in March now. Round to the quarry, no wild swimmers but certainly signs of life; even a few tadpoles. Windily round and up to the stack with really fabulous views. Facing due west was out of the wind and a jolly good spot for a leisurely cuppa. No moon so all the stars, and planets, were out. Satellites zoomed here and there and right on time the ISS soared over, some time since we have seen that. Down a bit and steadily round to South Kit Hill Mine. Reading the noticeboard is sounds like a huge amount of effort for little reward. Keeping going round then up the trackway to Excelsior Tunnel. It all looked securely gated. Hard to believe it was used as part of research for the ending of nuclear testing. (No nuclear devices set off here.) Soon back to the cars and on to Callington.

Super nice to see Peter and Kath and a very warm welcome in their 'pub'. Progress sounds steady if frustratingly slow. It must be very hard when you have been just so active and super fit. Best wishes to both.

A most pleasant evening out in that Kernow.

TWW 18th March 2025

 

What a great day for a moorland walk!

We set off from Bennett’s Cross with 10 TWWs and one four-legged friend, the sun, plus a cold easterly wind that came too, both vying for our attention as to who was the most powerful on the day to put us off, neither succeeded!

Our walk followed the Two Moors Way, beginning with us skirting Hurston Ridge on our left and to our right, out of sight, north Walla Brook. This path nicely took us onto Chagford Common and the site of a long double stone row that gently sloped down in the direction we were to take before reaching Hurston where we had our cuppa at the side of a small lake. Some V.I.P TWWs secured upgraded seating and a picnic bench for the stop, others had to contend with the economy class log to sit on, however, both sections of us enjoyed the peaceful environment equally.

Leaving this ‘Tranquillity Base’, we moved on and through Lingcombe, then via a trackway to Jurston, on the way passing buildings, some that had been renovated to high standards, others were ‘work in progress’.

With a big step up a stonewall into an adjoining field, we moved onto Lettaford, passing areas set aside for organic food growing or animals, such as sheep, chickens or Jersey cattle.

The fields lead to a stile adjacent to the main road and Leppra Cross, to move onward to Moor Gate and West Combe that seemed to be missing the usual running ducks, but still had its typical farm look with faded once useful stone buildings, rusting implements of a past era and an assortment of present-day utility vehicles.

We were now faced with a long steep climb up to Combe Down. It was on this climb that we stopped by a small and derelict farm building for our picnic, partly out of the east wind sat on dry (for once) mossy stones. By now we were too hungry to worry about our companion from the east as eating took priority now.

At least the picnic gave us the fuel to carry on across the Down to the top and down following a wall to cross the Firth Bridge Road to pick up the continuing dusty path, keeping Birch Tor in sight to our left and eventually back to where we started at Bennett’s Cross.

Thankfully the ‘10’ + furry friend made it back safely to look forward to another TWW route in the future.

Charlie   

WW 12th March 2025

 

A return to old stomping grounds for me. 30 years ago I would have been running round here twice a week. Now it’s a slow walk with poles!

Setting off in the direction of Double Waters we eventually came to the track down to Grenofen Bridge - what has been happening here? - huge ruts carved through the soft ground - farmers on tractors or off roaders? One thing is for sure it will never recover to the nice grassy track it once was. On down and over the bridge to turn right on the path to the cycle track. The walkway before Gem Bridge has been completely rebuilt at some expense, very smart. On past the big swing so beloved by Terry, then over the bridge to find the track diagonally down towards Magpie bridge. Always boggy here but the huge viaduct seemed further from the car park than usual. Keeping to the right above the boggy ground in the valley bottom it was up, up to the car park.

Despite being the only ones in the Farmers' Bar of the Rock we were made welcome and served pints to round off the evening.

Mike

TWW 11th March 2025

 

They do say it’s a good idea to recce a walk before the actual day.  Well for once this had been done and a goodly chunk of the proposed route was discarded – well actually sank without trace in an impenetrable bog.

So on the day we set off from the Old/New Inn car park at Widecombe forewarned with some ideas of where to go to make up for the lost section.  Well the old adage came back to haunt me – no I hadn’t recced these bits.  Oh well.

Back to the beginning.  Up the road, stopping to admire the ‘Miol’ stone marking the distance the French paroled Officers were allowed to go from the centre of Widecombe.  Then up onto the open moor – and yes it was ‘up’, lots of it and very steep – sorry it wasn’t just an attempt to kill off the group, honest!   Finally the heights of Honeybag Tor were achieved with magnificent views on this cool but occasionally sunny day.  The unrecced idea was now to head to Hedge Tor however viewing the down and then up the leader decided to abandon this.  

On then down and up to Chinkwell.  And yes, the idea was to try and find the unrecced DS stone marking Slades Well.  A bit of wandering around and then this too was abandoned, though one intrepid explorer did manage to find the marker and provided photographic evidence once they caught up.  A welcome coffee stop on the top of Chinkwell and then on.

Down past Bell Tor, across the road to visit Bonehill Rocks before heading on to cross another road.  The next point was Top Tor to admire more views then to Pil Tor.  Skirting back above Hollow Tor and viewing down on to the previously abandoned route of the impossible bog.  Picking up the road down into Widecombe, passing the lovely restored Northway Farm looking mighty fine – I can remember when it was a true Dartmoor farm complete with brood of puppies in the barn. 😊  And I’m sure it was originally a Medieval longhouse!

A welcome drink and lunch at the Old/New Inn – one day I will remember it’s name and find out why I get it confused.  There was a little wait as an unexpected coach party had arrived.   And yes, I will try to remember to recce everything in future, honest!

Jane

WW 5th March 2025

 

Well that turned into a proper weird, spooky evening.

The stars and the Worm Moon were shining brightly once again as we set off from Dunnabridge. Out along the Postman's Path by Brimpts mine to find a track toward the menhir. All fine as Lough Tor Man stood proud with the moon and Jupiter above. A perfect opportunity for astral navigation; so with a clear sighting of Polaris off we set. But, of course, as soon as we did the mist crept in and all the planets and stars disappeared. Nevermind, soon up to Laughter Tor and across to the wall. Down, down, down hoping to hear snuffling and squeaking from the boar. Over the stile and a quiet cuppa - but nothing. Note to self: must check on precisely what boar poo looks like. Round the tracks and up to pop out beneath Bellever Tor. Soon at the top with the planets and stars back again - where had they been? Heading back and it got a bit strange. All the stars, planets and bright moon shone so clearly but we were enveloped in mist - how can that be? Care needed to get back to the car and on to the Two Bridges. The bar was deserted but a commoners meeting was taking place so we were easily served. Sitting by the remnants of the log fire a strange object. Turns out it is a clockwork roasting jack, very interesting. And home, still in the mist with stars above and an owl sitting in the road. Luckily we did not see a black cat.

Another real, proper, Dartmoory evening.

TWW 4th March 2025

 

Sometimes things all line up perfectly. - I am not talking about those planets we have all been gazing at, but the fact there was no firing on the northern ranges, the weather was sunny, the sky was clear, and there was virtually no wind. How good was that?

Now I am not a man enamoured of track walking, but we nevertheless set off from Rowtor car park in a southerly direction following military roads, and with a few turns eventually ended up at Dinger Tor. This was so enhanced by the views of distant tors to identify that all that hard surface was hardly noticed.

A stop for a coffee at Dinger then on to some softer ground for the gentle ascent of High Willhays. The usual talk of which was highest, High Willhays or Yes Tor ensued, as wherever you view the two from it is always Yes Tor which looks higher. On reaching the summit of Yes Tor we sighted across the trig point and there it was High Willhays standing a good 2m higher. Then it was on down to West Mill Tor, Rowtor and the cars as the air started to become less clear.

A pint and a cheap ‘Spoons’ lunch in the White Heart.

What a superb day out!

Mike.