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