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