WW 22nd April 2026

 

Short walk this beautiful evening.
Short but dramatic. Oh yes!
Three of us made our way down Two Bridges road towards prison leat (part of Devon port leat) where I was saved by Stella from being run over.
Didn't see it or hear it. Oh dear, and it wasn't even electric!
Over the wall to the relative safety of the leat footpath. Said leat very well maintained but for how much longer I wonder?
Through the gate that warns us we are now on Duchy property..... So!
Remember when Raz wondered on to the prison enclosure and couldn't get out? That was so funny.
Taking the sometimes boggy path down to the clapper by the river and on to Eleven Arches (viaduct).
Seems to be higher and narrower now than it was but it was crossed safely on the path. To think back in the day, the children used to cycle over it.
Looking up, there it was, a red kite wheeling around and round mobbed by a mob? of crows.
Carrying on following the leat until it reaches the weir, locally known as Boys Pool.
Backup the track to look at the two cemeteries. The American, impeccably kept, the French not so much.
Following the forbidden path around the prison wall we were met by a security man who appeared to be holding a gun! Stella thought it was a skateboard!  Reality, it a bit of plastic garbage he'd picked up.
"You shouldn't be here" he says.
"Sorry" I say " we took a wrong turning but didn't think it would matter as there are no inmates".
"Yes it does "he says.  Anyway we enjoyed a nice conversation about cemeteries and kites before we were pointed in the direction of the road.
So, will we get a drink tonight in the Prince or won't we?
Front door locked, back door open....yay! In we dashed, success!!

So lesson learned, get to pub before 9 o'clock.
Get served!🍺

Brenda X

TWW 21st April 2026

 

Belstone Bluebells

We were met at Belstone Green by the usual cold east wind. A short spell on the road to find the footpath past Old Rectory Farm out on to the Moor. A tantalising glimpse of bluebells as we passed. Through the fields then down, down to the bridge over the East Okement river, into the woods and there they were were, just out, that wonderful deep blue almost purple.Taking a left as the path to Okehampton divided and up, up. I love this wood in spring. I saw a Tree Ceeper on my last visit.

On to Lower Halstock. No fields of Miniature Ponies today, I wonder where they are?

Up the track and out on to the Moor again, the wind still strong and cold. We found a sheltered spot by the river for coffee. (Must remember to come in the summer for a dip)

Then over Cullevers Steps and on up to Winter Tor for a photo op.

The plan was to go back along the Tors but the wind was not pleasant so we followed the track to explore the ‘Bubbler’ - Some naughty people has removed one of the concrete ‘windows’ so we could see the strange wooden posts below. Built in the 1950’s in an effort to remove the excess radon in the water. Did it work I wonder??

I guess not, it was closed in 1990 and sold to a private buyer in 2021. Raz found the far door open so was able to explore, there was evidence of clearing up but no hint of what for.

We found a nice spot for lunch by the little water works house on the river Taw.

Sharp eyed Anne saw a Cuckoo in a bush on the opposite bank. A female I guess trying to lay her egg in a nearby nest as it was being mobbed by a very angry much smaller bird. It seemed to work as she moved off.

On down the river bank to find another interesting ‘thing’, a deep concrete pit for dipping sheep we thought

There’s always something new to discover.

Stella

WW 15th April 2026

 

After a very wet, wet day it all cleared up. A very nice brisk breeze and even enough blue sky to just make a pair of sailor's trousers.

Out from Lowery Cross and up through the woods on a super cleared track. Just the huge tree to negotiate. Over the steep stile and out. Straight up Peek Hill with fabulous views and the evening light creating all sorts of different patches on the moor. Down by Lether and round to drop down to the leat corner, where a superb set of dressed granite has been left, for a cuppa. More gently down to the Meavy where, like everywhere else it seems, lots and lots of trees have been planted. Over the metal planks with tales of times past when a scaffold bridge had been built here. Along the track to Lethertor Bridge and up back to the leat. Soon at Cross Gate, where the road shone in the last of the evening light to guide us back to the car. Nippily to the Burrator Inn by 9:26, just in time for a pint. As we left the barman turned off the lights and locked up. A super evening for a walk and no need for torches - the evenings really are drawing out.

TWW 14th April 2026

 

VENFORD E. CAR PARK.

It was typical Dartmoor weather, thick mist and pouring rain and good breeze. Off we set, six hardy souls.

Up the hill on the road for a bit to find the leat which didn’t seem to exist.  My phone was playing up, it didn’t like being in a damp case but with a little help from others and map and compass we eventually came across the leat which was just a trickle in the long grass. Upwards to a loop in another leat and using various paths to the standing stone on Sandy Way. Heading west for a bit we then cut left to find Hapstead Ford, a sheltered spot for coffee. A decision was made to miss out Snowdon and head for Ryders Hill, so following the infant Mardle two standing stones and a trig point soon appeared in the mist. A bearing down the track to the Sandy Way again and on to the girts below Holne Ridge where we dropped into one for lunch. More deep workings and the impressive disused mine lead us to a stream to follow to the western boundary of Venford. Along the fence and over the dam to the cars. On the way we met the only other person of the day a SW water employee from Burrator who had spent the day walking round the reservoir with his pole saw trimming back branches - nice job!

                                  Mike

WW 8th April 2026

 

Stella had  volunteered to do a walk from Calstock. Unfortunately she had a migraine the night before and didn’t feel up to it.

It had been  a beautiful day, the warmest this year. Loads of people out by the river enjoying beers in the sun. So off we set in T-shirts along the bank next to the wetlands, now maturing nicely, with loads of Canada geese and shell ducks in evidence. Along to Okeltor mine and up the track to the road, where a lady in a large white van was looking to deliver to Okeltor stamp house. Fortunately a quick phone call and the recipient came up to meet her.

Along the lane to the level crossing where red lights were flashing quickly followed by a train going sedately by on its way to Calstock. Up the road past all the nurseries, now mostly defunct, and on to the church for a cuppa on a seat amongst the graves - so many of them in a huge graveyard, in the times gone  by they were probably carried up from the village to be buried. Up to the main road and then through the narrow track above Glenver house, a left turn through the woods to Higher Kelly and so to the pub. Stella’s aim was for 9.00 - DEAD ON.

The pub was quite busy young people playing cards and darts, some just in for a drink, just like pubs in the old days.

          Mike

TWW 7th April 2026

 

Hardly daring for a dry walk in the sun we met at Bennett’s Cross in a cold howling gale after being promised record high temperatures. Hoods up & poles anchoring us to the ground we got to the Two Moors Way & continued to the road where we had to make the decision whether to gain more height & head to Hookner Tor & Grimspound but a group decision was to head for lower ground so we walked through Headland Warren Farm & were able to strip off the windproof layers & delight in warm sunshine. Heading south to Challacombe we stopped at the Billy Goat Gruff bridge & had a chat with the friendly troll under the bridge. Amazingly, someone had given him a spring clean. We had our coffee break by the pool in the company of a herd of ponies. Wonderful to see the spring foliage bursting out & smell the coconut from the gorse. Following the valley & the stream we passed the Golden Dagger mine , heading towards Vitifer mine. A sudden cry from Brenda…Hurry, Come quick, run, got us scurrying back down the track to her. No one hurt! Just a beautiful male adder. What a wonderful sight. We carried on with our walk & came across hundreds of tadpoles, a rather large leech & a newt. Birds tweeting all around us. Summer can’t be far away!

Lunch was at the Warren House Inn which served us with scrumptious food including Phil’s favourite of a foot long sausage which looked a bit like a skinned adder! A good walk, good company, good weather & good food.

Amber & Colin

WW 1st April 2026

 

Lovely and light to head up Joey's Lane, such a relief after a long dark winter. Quite cool but all very nice to ascend Sheepstor - always a good spot. Down the back with the track clear and along. No sign of the Pink Moon but I am sure it was helping light the way. Down to the corner and round - what is that? A huge dung beetle dragging some food into its burrow. More down for a nice cuppa at Deancombe as the owl hooted. By now the light was easing so time for headtorches as the mist and mizzle came in. Then two sharp eyes reflecting in our beams, then two more. Seemed too sparkly and sprightly for sheep - could is be a fox. No, two roe deer slowly heading into the trees - nice. To the road and then up past Narrator Farm onto the contouring track round Sheepstor. Soon(ish) back to the lane gate and to the cars. After 9.30 so a slight hope of a pint. The Burrator Inn was open and welcoming as those in red joined us. So, we did get a drink! And even stayed until we were virtually thrown out.

Nice to be back in these light evenings - so many to come.