WW 27th August 2025

 A heavy day at Wildside, no one else walking, so a short one from home seemed ideal.

Stella’s two mile circuit in reverse. The rain had gone, the sun was out giving everywhere a fresher look. The tide was racing in to cover the mudbanks of the Tamar. All was quiet, only the sound of my footfall then a raven's call from the woods. A little later a magpie and then near the farm a buzzard calling from overhead.

We are lucky!

Mike

TWW 26th August 2025

 

I told you it would be short, and it was. Back to the pub in a comfortable time, served in double quick time.

How do they do it? A lesson in efficiency there.

So, the Firth bridge held a fascination for some, looking for the elusive benchmark, still elusive. And indeed whether it actually was a bridge or just a location. It is indeed a bridge!

Grimspound, a well preserved late bronze age settlement, possibly called after the god, Grim, inspected and pronounced ok.  Then a climb to the first cairn and on to Hameldown cross, a squat, dismembered lump of stone, now used as a boundary stone, standing as  symbol of Christianity amongst all the pagan barrows.
On, on to Broad barrow, single barrow and then the largest barrow of all...... Two barrows. Really is two separate barrows, first really big, very much excavated and 'pillaged'. The Hameldown dagger was found here. Then the second Barrow is lying under the medieval stone wall and either side of it.

Now a nice down hill heather track towards Natsworthy corner, lovely views and a nice place for a coffee break.  Thought they were expecting us with all the marquees and stuff in a field, but no, 'twas deserted when we arrived.
Hmmm , skies looked threatening, but no matter we made ourselves comfortable at the "corner".
So, the heavens opened, the sensible one dashing for cover but the rest of us being very British, stuck it out until we were soaked before we donned  weather gear. Not a good feeling!!
Our break curtailed, the upwards path towards the RAF memorial was taken.
Those brave men, so close to home.....
I wonder what they would have made of the world today.

Back on the homeward track, happily downwards, Hookney tor in the distance and all's well with our world.

But, no  our peace was destroyed by three dirt bikes and their riders practicing their scrambling skills down Hookney, past Grimspound and up Hameldown.  Not allowed on this part of moor of course. Sheep running scared, tourists looking on in disbelief. We tried to speak with them to no avail, so we reported them.
Did look good fun though !

So back to the cars and off to the good old Warren house for lunch.
We were put in the "best" dining room. Good job we'd all dried off.

Brenda

WW 20th August 2025

 

Goodness me that was dark, I mean really really dark, so dark my torch gave up - luckily the best prepared person was there with a spare - thanks!

Out from Higher Godsworthy on another very pleasant evening; hoping for a nice sunset. A cooling easterly made for very nice walking. The local farmer charged at us on his quad bike. All very friendly just checking his bailer twine was up to scratch. Across the Wedlake fields and then steadily up to White. All very dry, even the sundews seem to be struggling. Through the iron age hillfort and down to the refurbed range hut to find shelter for a nice cuppa. The clouds were rather thick so only the faintest of sunsets. To the longstone which reminded us of the Easter Island monoliths. Over the moor on a reasonable track to the stone circle. Some said they remembered when more stones were standing. Then the long long, wide track to Roos, all very nice going. Soon at Roos as the light faded to dark. Down to pick up the dew pond track and round Cox. The lights of Wedlake Farm helping us, then Higher Godsworthy with its yappy dogs guided us back to the cars. Later than usual to the Whitty which was in full swing - rare to find a pub with lots of evening drinkers nowadays.

A very pleasant evening to be out and about.

TWW 19th August 2025

 

ANIMAL CRACKERS.

The weather was a complete contrast to the previous week, rain and a keen breeze.

So first there was a Doe then a Hare then a Cat (well Chat) then a pair of Goats and then a Lynx. Cracking tors all of them.

A nice bimble down to Arms Tor to complete the circuit. Then a hunt for the Moonstone on Highdown, duly found, and thought to be a flagpole base according to Dartifacts? Some flagpole!

Mike

WW 13th August 2025

 It was warm but very overcast as we set out from Norsworthy bridge. Up the track towards Down tor and then a sharp left in the first gully to take us through scrub and tall bracken to break out into the open below the tor. A nice little track was spied to take us down to Newleycombe Lake. Following faint tracks on the right hand bank we suddenly found the stream was just a dry shingle bed then further on a full blown stream again? which we had to cross at least three times, then the dry bed/stream thing continued to happen. It was then into the serious tin workings, a left turn up the huge T girt to sit overlooking “the island” for a cuppa.

Straight up the northern end to cross the track from Older bridge and on a few yards to the leat for a nice bimble along to Crazy Well Pool. Here we met the only other person of the evening who was camped on the bank with his dog and looking forward to a morning swim. Back down to the main track and struggling with fading light we stumbled back what seemed a long way to the cars. TORCHES NEXT WEEK I THINK.

The Burrator seemed a better option than the Royal Oak at a late hour and a refreshing pint was enjoyed.

Mike.

TWW 12th August 2025

 

By golly, it was hot ! Too hot for walking, although others were out and seemed ok. Must be me. Oh well, better get over it!!

Long drive to Fernworthy, the usually flooded lanes as dry as the Kalahari.
Just five baking mad Tues walkers set off up the main track, turning right and out on to the moors. Missing the Three boys stone, easily done as there is only one and on to the Long stone....... can't miss that one!  
Keep going upwards across Chagford common to the striking Kestor Rock to inspect the largest rock basin of all.
'Tis indeed large and very deep, even some algae coloured water still in it, Yuk!
Over to Batworthy corner and the heat was rising. Down and around  the Teign-i-ver clapper bridge and found the fabulous and wonderful Tolman stone, straddling the north Teign river. Legend says if you struggle through the hole, it helps with fertility!!!!
Next nine months should be interesting!!!!
Quick visit to Scorhill circle or locally called Scorhill, strange vibes get there apparently.
Back to the river to eat, drink and cool our feet in the river. Bit of wildlife watching too.
Turning back to the long, long track back to Fernworthy avoiding the "boggy" bits, the heat got rather unbearable, but first aid was administered after very short lie down, we trudged on finally finding a gap in the wall to get back to the cool of the forest.
More trudging and moaning until a bit of downhill and the cars hove into sight.
Was so glad to make it to the finish.
I think all of us were actually.
Was it worth it?
Jury's out on that one!
Of course it was, all walks are worth it....... in so many different ways.

Brenda

TWW 5th August 2025

 

What a really super day to head out on our annual pilgrimage.

A bit different this year as we left from Postbridge. Lots of nice clouds and a strong northerly to walk into promising a push back. Out along the familiar track to the waterfall for a nice cuppa. Following the Dart steadily up, the range posts soon came into view. Follow, follow uppety up to the peat pass. And through, round Cut Hill to the truly wonderful track to Fur Tor. No wonder this tor is the Queen of the Moor. Goodly shelter was found for a refreshing lunch and a recharge before heading back. A trip out to Cut Hill summit cairn and the 'new' stone row, Down a bit tussocky to the end of the peat pass and back along. Plenty of time for refreshments at Broada Marsh Stream. Along, along and up over the top and the stile to the Postbridge track. Soon back to the gate and the cars. 

A really super day for our visit.