Divide and Conquer ?!
Not the usual start from Sourton Church, but instead heading south down the A386 a short way before crossing the fields to Cleave and the old A30. The stile here provided a bit of a challenge to those of lesser stature and mobility! A short way down the road we turned onto the lane past Quarry Cottage to Sourton Quarry. This limestone quarry originally produced building stone but in the 19th, century was producing quick lime for agricultural use. The quarry was abandoned in 1906 when it suddenly flooded, and it is now a nature reserve leased by the Devon Wildlife Trust. Onwards and upwards till we reached the road and headed for Lake. Crossing the A386 and followed the footpath under Lake Viaduct where we found a sheltered spot to stop for a brew.
Suitably (?) refreshed, we set off to ascend Lake Down. However, some found the climb a little too challenging and opted to return to the cars via the Granite Way. Others carried on up to the ridge and then on to Sourton Tors. The wind was really beginning to blow at this point and the short hail shower was really quite uncomfortable, though at least the wind was more or less behind us. From here, some opted for the direct route back to the cars while others (well one of us) followed the planned route via the ice works to reach the cars not long after the others.
From there it was a short drive to the Fox and Hounds for a well deserved lunch.
Phil