TWW 31st March 2026

 

Leaving home in heavy mist I was expecting a challenging and limited visibility route finding walk ahead of today!  However, to my joy, arriving at the RV, The Warren House Inn, the sky had cleared, it was pretty warm too, so really good to go for a rare dry walk.

From the main road we cut up to what I assumed to be an old mining gert before turning right to follow the path running parallel to Hurston Ridge and onto and across part of Chagford Common. This eventually took us to the edge of Fernworthy Forrest and the road surrounding most of Fernworthy Reservoir.

On the adjacent green overlooking the water, there were some convenient picnic benches that fitted the bill for our morning cuppa and a birdsong serenade, plus, a piece of birthday cake and a homemade scone kindly supplied by two of our group – very tasty indeed!

Calories loaded, drinks drunk, we picked up the path surrounding the reservoir, noting that there was no water over flow down the dam face which was a visual shame. However, we carried our disappointment with us and followed the path until the road again, before turning right and ever upward into the forest, passing the ‘rearranged’ (by past Victorians) stone row along the way.

Soon we were back out onto open moorland again, and a view that would do justice to an African Savanna, only the lions were missing thankfully!

Now keeping to a well-trodden path we could see on the horizon the Cairn on Water Hill, our marker that was to lead us back down to the Warren House Inn and some well deserved liquid and solid nourishment.

Charlie

WW 25th March 2026

 It was forecast to be very windy and cold so a low level walk seemed sensible, as it happened the worst of the weather had blown through. I used to run this route the other way round with a few extra hilly bits thrown in back in the days when I lived in Horrabridge. Lots of water erosion on the riverbanks and numerous trees down in the woods since then.

On along the Walkham in fading light to Grenofen Bridge then following the river upstream on the other bank, past the lovely funnel falls, as far as double waters. A short stop for a cuppa whilst watching a few bats flying up and down the river, I would have thought it was still too cold for them. On up the road past Bucktor to the top of the hill with a bright quarter moon and several stars now showing. Next following the track with the huge tractor ruts towards Denham Bridge but turning right to find the path down to old railway bridge over the cycle track. And so on to the cars.

High hopes of a pint in The London Inn but just after 9.30 and all was in darkness. Maybe things will improve in the summer!

      Mike

TWW 24th March 2026

 

That was a walk in the clouds.......and the drizzle and the WIND, oh the wind! No wonder no wonder the rest of the world was sitting at home in the warm.
But us oldies don't do that, do we? We have to show the world we're better than that!!
So, down the steep up/down hill to find the sad looking Leapra  Cross, on through the fields to the timeless West Coombe farm, now showing signs of tidying up the decades of rubble and old metal.
The ash house has been cleaned up and now used as an animal shelter. More fields to the organic farm where there are HALF chickens roaming! Pardon!!   And a very friendly smallish cow called Tessa who loved the top of her head tickled. More fields and mud, ancient gnarled trees, a very windy coffee break and through the calmer path to beautiful Heather Combe.
Then the inevitable climb upwards, no time to look for three fishes but out on to the brake into gale force winds and ever increasing low cloud.
Slight difference of opinion as to whether to slide right or carry on but eventually we reached the corner of the "lacy" wall, still standing, and then a straightforward walk back the cars.

And all the time getting wetter and wetter.

Warren House was not too busy, always efficient, food mostly very good before setting off home to warm up.

What fun!  We must do it all again sometime.

Brenda

WW 18th March 2026

Warmest day of the year, so pop up to Princetown for a nice balmy starlit walk. BUT, it was absolutely perishing!

Never mind, got to be done. No need for torches to head out along the wide track to Hart. It is a really popular way with plenty of mud. The light gently eased and all the stars popped out - very nice. Down to the hairy stone as the ISS soared overhead - a perfect sighting. And to think that for nearly six hours two astronauts had been space walking to fix the solar panels. A reminder of just how clever folk can be if they so choose. Up to Cramber with the lights of Plymouth glowing and the Eddystone on the blink again. Straight into the strong easterly now so it was well below freezing. The trig point hove into view (thank goodness) and a snipe shot up. Along, along to South Hessary which seemed a long way into the sharp wind. And down the track to the Plume. All lit up, doors open and a first - Bill was sat there nursing his pint. BUT, it was actually shut - closes at 9pm apparently and not due to extend its hours until the 1st May.

Hey Ho, but a most pleasant, starlit walk.

TWW 17th March 2026

 

A bit disappointing that several couldn’t make it. So a select group of 7 congregated in Pentewan Car Park. The day promised well with mild air and the occasional glimpse of sun, alas not to last but it didn’t rain. Across the busy road to find the footpath by Barton Farm which had been obliterated by huge tractor wheel tracks. Up, up briefly into New Road Plantation and out onto a a very gloopy track to cross the road into a very well appointed caravan park with lovely views out to sea.

As we’d missed coffee at the lovely Little Bay Cafe - not open till May, we had a very nice interlude in the Heligan cafe. Heading down through Heligan woods we glimpsed an enormous and magnificent Fox ready to pounce. Brilliant!

Arriving at Mevagissey we were greeted by a chilly wind however it was very pleasant sitting on the Quay watching the boats eating our fish and chips. While one seagull with a gammy leg was playing the sympathy card another attacked from behind to nick a bit of Raz’s fish.

Time to head back along the coast path. Spring was very defiantly sprung with primroses, celandines, violets in full bloom and the three cornered Cornish leek just coming out. The blackthorn was in full flower while the leaves of the hawthorn were that lovely fresh Green.

All in all a good day out.

Stella

WW 11th March 2026

Wow we could actually see the shape of the surrounding land as we set off. Evenings are drawing out.

Across to the Yellowmead track by the amazing survival tree, and then up to Hollow Tor. The mast at North Hessary always seems near from there but always takes ages to get to.
After a clamber up the Tor to admire the clarity of the evening in the chilly breeze it was on a compass bearing to get us to Foggin Tor Quarry. Staring down from the edge in the dark was like looking into the Grand Canyon. Down to the track and then south for a few yards to pick up the old Princetown railway track to take us round to just below King Tor. Down to the stream and back up to the cars.
The chosen pub was The Witty (given up on Princetown ) and it was OPEN - first evening pint for at least a month!
      Mike

TWW 10th March 2026

Cold East cross was living up to its name COLD!

Off we set across the road and up past up past The Nut Crackers (now defunct as the Logan stone was toppled by vandals back in the day).

Up to Rippon Tor with its panoramic views. Those in the know pointed out the recumbent cross just below the tor, it looks as if it was an attempt to carve a cross which had failed! On down to Hemsworthy gate and up to Top Tor where shelter was found for a cuppa. On then to Pil Tor and Tunhill Rocks to find the stony track to Blackslade Ford. Following a muddy track along the wall past Williams Well (always a disappointment, difficult to see and only recognisable by the corrugated iron surrounding it). Down through the wood, over the lovely stone bridge and then up across Buckland Common on a deteriorating track which finished as a rather prickly experience. Following the wall to Buckland Beacon - another fine viewpoint. A quick look at the Ten Commandment stones, the lettering now easily readable due to the fairly recent renovation. Back along the wall to follow the boundary stones to the cars.
At the Rugglestone our table awaited us, despite the lack of a £50 deposit. The food was good and no fuss with the service. Always nice to visit.
      Mike

WW 4th March 2026

 

Well, where to go? With a full Worm Moon due, and needing a totally guaranteed open pub, Peter Tavy seemed a good choice.

So out from the quarry with a surprisingly cool east wind. The odd star out and glimpses of the mast bode well. Up the rubbly track and out onto the open moor. Along, along to Stephen's Grave as the mist started to appear. Up the old track and on. Heading up to the ramparts when a terrifying shout was heard. "Halt, advance and be recognised!" We were all terrified. But we soldiered on (HoHo) and never saw a soul. By now all was mist as is usual on our evenings. Into the hill fort and then, quite suddenly it appeared. A really beautiful orange moonrise - aren't we lucky. Totally mesmerizing as the mist swirled around. Too cold for a cuppa so down, down seeking out the wall. To the gate to Grass Lane and more down to the road. We even met two other evening walkers. Over Broadmoor Brook and the pull up by the wall. Back to the cars and on to the promised pub. Only just past half nine so absolutely guaranteed a pint. BUT, the Peter Tavy Inn was all dark and locked up. Bother, will we ever get a pint on a  Wednesday evening?

But it really had been a super atmospeheric evening to be out on the moor.

TWW 3rd March 2026

 

Jon got his legs out!

The weather forecast a dry day so we set off in light rain. From the Scout Hut, up the Eylesbarrow track, peeled off to Lower Harter Tor where we had coffee with a 360 degree view.
Somebody mentioned the Three Wise Monkeys?
On again to the spectacular antiquities of Drizzlecombe. Ditsworthy Warren & Edward’s path back to the car, collecting dozens of spent cartridges & flares before sending Brenda in to the Scout Hut to repatriate them to the army personnel. Seems that she was lost for words after an encounter with an attractive young man! Back to the cars & sojourned to the Walkhampton inn for lunch.

Amber & Colin