Another rainy day loomed and hoods up as we left the Arboretum carpark and trudged towards the first farm at Narrator. Mossy shapes below the dripping trees revealed more questions than answers. Who was WIFF, letters carved on a boulder, above a small incised cross in what would have been a garden plot ?
Was it "wife" ? Or a pet. Or maybe the unfortunate son William Jackman struck by lightning in 1882. The last family to live there were the Watkins. They supplemented their income greeting summer guests. They reported an abundance of snakes, indoors and out ! No connection to guests!!
Here too the last known pine marten in this area was seen in the1950s.
Moving on now past the low ruins of farm buildings and the upturned granite trough and up along the grassy track beside the Roughtor Plantation and with Sheepstor behind us. The weather had brightened nicely and using committee guidance we picked our way down into the Narrator Brook Valley floor and over the stile at the bottom and a faint track up into the complex of Outholme/Outcome Farm unmarked on the map except for "blowing house". Lived in by Crebers 1741 'til 1849. This was a lovely spot for birthday flapjack and cuppa, lichen bunting all around and low walls on which to pitch. (Dartmoor Explorations gives a detailed photo essay on this intriguing site, unbeknown at time of visit.)
Along the Narrator Brook valley side and over the lively flow up to the diminishing Combeshead Farm with its sturdy convenience !! Last inhabited farm in Burrator catchment. William Pengelly refused to leave until he died in 1931.
Across to Deancombe now where enough evidence of buildings for a good sized hamlet were found.
Staddlestones, a knife grinder support and a trough suggest a thriving community. Farming and tin mining supporting generations from the 14th century.
Off along the track now to the well preserved barn at Middleworth Farm and to finish the walk off, a quick scramble up to the stunning tors of Little Down and Snappers and their beautiful views across Burrator Reservoir.
Still dry we drove off down to the Walkhampton Inn where we had a lovely lunch and 10 clean plates showing our appreciation !!
Anne