Off we set from
Lowery Cross, the nine of us, initially following the route of the old
Yelverton to Princetown railway branch line. On first reaching open access land we struck up through the mist on a
bearing to barely recognisable boundary work, and this we more or less followed
up to Leeden Tor and a coffee stop in the rain.
At this point the clouds parted, providing some fine views reminiscent
of Scotland and removing any need for compass use. From Leeden we dropped down to cross the road
and pick up the track below Black Tor, leading to the Devonport Leat acqueduct
- a piece of 18th century engineering well worthy of admiration. One of our number commented that having
dropped down the hill to the acqueduct the leat appeared to be gaining in
elevation as it heads away towards the forest.
Not so according to the Ordnance Survey.
What does happen to the energy gained in dropping more than 70
metres? Perhaps a topic for discussion
on a future walk. On then, a pleasant
walk along the leat through the forest in emerging sunshine and back to the
cars for a short drive to the Burrator Inn.