WW 25th June 2025

An astounding new house is being built just below Hexworthy Green overlooking the Dart valley- what a view. We couldn’t remember there being a building there at all, but there was, as it was stated in the planning permission.

Off down the road, then taking the old track to Hooten Wheals, now much deteriorated even difficult to follow in places. Once out on the open moor the track suddenly improved passing Horse Ford Cross and the ruined house to cross the O Brook on the substantial granite bridge. On to Henroost  and then Skir Gut. The plan was to cross the workings and head up to Ter Hill crosses on a track but after a cuppa a snap decision was made to head straight down to Deep Swincombe, maybe not the shortcut it seemed, there were signs of tracks in places but nothing but tussock in others. Down the huge gert to reach the water board track passing Swincombe Bridge (unfortunately without its rightful fairy).

The Forest Inn was advertised as being open until 10.00 - AND IT WAS so a swift pint and off home.

A good moorland walk among lots of extensive digging.

Mike

TWW 24th June 2025

 

Now that made a very nice change.

With the forecast of mist, drizzle and a cooling breeze, out from Belstone Green. The general consensus was that it actually was raining - but never mind. Along the road to pop out onto the moor on the gritty track. Round as the mist came and went - but mainly came. Soon we were at Nine Maidens, confusingly also known as 17 brothers. Neat tracks led us down about and over to Scarey Tor where the East Okement could be heard rumbling below - no one seemed keen for a dip. Steeply up to the top track to Winter Tor where good shelter was found for a cuppa. Back and across the track up to Higher Tor which certainly loomed large out of the mist. Along the ridge ticking off all the Belstone Tors and Irishman's Wall. A wee track was found to take us east and down. Through the gate to check on the tractors - all much the same. And back to the cars and The Tors. Rather an odd menu - American? The sensible had very nice looking starters whilst the rest had to make do with huge dinners.

A very nice, proper Dartmoor day to be out and about.

WW 18th June 2025

 

Where else on one of the longest Wednesdays? 

Just such a fabulous boggy marsh. Everywhere another beautiful flower. The perfect time to go with the orchids still blooming and the asphodels and St. John's Wort just coming in to flower. Fabulous!

TWW 17th June 2025

 

A sunny Wembury greeted five and a dog. A great day for exploring the many footpaths and lanes beginning with the path up to St Werburgh's. A peek inside revealed three musicians and a rather Tudor sound amongst the carved benches and complex monuments. An elaborate interior for the church's humble and understated exterior.

A gentle climb north along Footpath 20 aka Churchwood Valley's cool woods, soon to open into meadows and even a few meadow browns confirming the grassy route! Grassland gave way to crops and turrets of Langdon Court came into view. 

A "variation of navigational choices" around Home Farm led to a brief separation but all back together for the short road section and then Footpath 17 Smockpark Lane which could be renamed as Snail Lane !

This led us around HMS Cambridge and eventually skirting Heybrook Bay village and time for coffee.

We dropped down to the coast path and with this easterly approach there were superb views of the Mewstone and Wembury. Not so peaceful when HMS Cambridge's Gunnery School firing practice shattered the calm or when Wembury Point's Holiday Camp's keep fit classes moved to the music of the 30's and 40's.

Appetites for lunch increased our speed towards the café and of course a beach route could have been rather smelly!!

Rolls, coffee and ice-cream finished off our countryside and coastal journey.

A lovely day.

Anne

WW 11th June 2025

 Another beautiful warm, sunny, quiet day. So a bit of a surprise to find a strong, cooling breeze as we set out from High Down. And on the tops hints of mist. Down to the Lyd stepping stones where a large group of cubs had been having fun in the river. Softly round finding the trods to the magic tree on the side of Arms Tor. The sun was high in the sky with beautiful waves of clouds over Cornwall. Steadily up towards Great Links as the mist came in and out and as we approached, the raven took flight. A nice sheltered spot was found for a well deserved cuppa. Down, down past the spoil heaps; clearly the source of the stones for the large cairn. Over to Brat and down the nice track back to the ford and cars. On to the Castle Inn, not been there for a while, which as usual for a Wednesday was super busy with quiz night and diners. A pub that knows how to make it all work.

This was the evening of the Strawberry Moon rising about 2230 so a bit late for us. Hopefully all those wild, moon swimmers had a nice time. A super evening to be out on the moor.

TWW 10th June 2025

 

Another "so, so" walk which had exciting moments.

So, across the track to the iconic Postbridge clapper, already busy with tourists, past the East Dart, closed until wed evening and up the lane leading to the Lydgate House hotel.
Path was much drier than I expected, and grass not so wet, didn't really need gaiters.
The path turned into track, where later later in the year, the hedges will be laden with blackberries, and there, was our first surprise.
A small herd of very large South Devon Cows slumbering across the track. I think they were resting, getting ready for the ordeal of producing the next generation of prime beef !!

Some brave souls, one with dog walked straight through while the wimpesses negotiated a small bog to avoid them !!
On to the ancient tenement of Pizwell farm, mentioned in the Domesday Book and formally known as Pishull, sounds like somebody had one to many.
Apart from a herd of South Devons they also have myriads of irridiscent green mint beetles feeding on, er, mint! Truly amazing!
On on, for a well earned break before following a muddy track over Cator common
Strange bit of countryside totally out of keeping with the rest of Dartmoor.
Out onto the road past the Christmas trees in varying stages of growth and to the Wallabrook bridge formerly a clapper and and the old sign still there, but almost unreadable now saying that was a salmon spawning site (try saying that after a few beers) and please don't dam the the river. Wonder if the salmon still go there now?
Bit of a long trudge to Bellever bridge passing the C stone now easily found, now the gorse has been given the chop.
Quick discussion about missing clapper stone/s and photos taken and off over to the fabulous hay meadows where we were treated to the wonderful sight of many Lesser Butterfly orchids, declining in numbers due to habitat loss.
The sight of these was the icing on the cake for me........... Apart from the pasty and ice cream at Postbridge stores...,.....of course!

And the rain stayed off!

Brenda

WW 4th June 2025

 

It is always good to go somewhere you haven’t been for a long time.

So setting off from Cadover Bridge car park, no one picknicking, BBQing, or swimming-probably due to the cool breeze, off along the pipeline walk. There seems to be no record of when it was built, but a remarkable bit of engineering, just digging the level along the valley must have been a major job let alone the laying of the two lines of salt glazed pipes. Apparently they had to be regularly cleared of china clay sediment by pulling scrapers through from the still visible inspection pits - I bet that was fun!

Following the pipes through the lovely National Trust Oakwoods to come out on the road below Shaugh Prior, it was down the road to Shaugh Bridge, crossing the footbridge to follow the River Meavy to eventually come out at Dewerstone cottage, now obviously used as an outdoor centre, with evidence of use that day, with all the wetsuits, helmets etc. laid out to dry on the fence.

Out to the road to the loud calls of a peacock, then up the steep hill through Goodameavy (where the well healed obviously own property) eventually finding the track across Wigford Down, over the top, down past the fishing lakes to Cadover Bridge.

Back to The Rock for a pint where the “boys in red” appeared but had morphed into the “ladies in red”- good to see!

Mike.

TWW 3rd June 2025

 

HOUND TOR

You know I like flowers, it’s orchid time!

Mizzle, drizzle, mist as we drove across the Moor. Not looking good for my first walk in months. Out of the cars, much discussion about over trousers, decided not so off up to Hound. Then two minutes later all hell broke loose, sideways cold, cold rain gusting wind. Most stopped to review the over trouser situation. Brief shelter behind an inadequate hawthorn then up to find a nice cleft in the multi topped Tor. Then it stopped!

Down and around to find the gate onto Holwell Lawn. I promised nice smooth paths but this one got narrower and steeper down to the lovely granite gatepost bridge over Becka Brook. Too early for coffee so up, up, up to Holwell Tor to find a sheltered spot. The mist was lifting so we had views too, then we could see one of those nice smooth paths I promised to lead us round and down below Emsworthy Rocks to a gate into the Nature reserve. No owls in the barn just a frog in the pile of discarded  twigs but a young Redstart was heard. Emsworthy again didn’t disappoint with Ragged Robin, Water Forget me not, Bog cotton, no flowers on the Bog Bean yet but swallows swooping down to drink from the ponds.

Then our favourite picnic table although slowly sinking was just the spot for lunch. An Adder was disturbed from his rest in the sun. We are so lucky to have all this wildlife on our doorstep.

A nice gentle climb through the woods to inspect the Snodderbottom Heath Spotted Orchids. Just coming out but lots more coming between the squidgy tussocks. Wonderful!

A nice day out on our Moor.

Stella