Despite the heavy rain some had experienced in the Tamar valley, it was dry on Dartmoor, though a fresh breeze sent the clouds scudding across the sky. From the Peat Cott quarry we headed down the road to Whiteworks then out onto Fox Tor Mire (which was really rather dry). A well-worn path led us to the red pole marking the crossing point on the stream. Safely across the makeshift bridge we continued on the path, bypassing Goldsmith’s Cross and heading up to Fox Tor. Too early for a coffee break, so after admiring the view of Child’s Tomb and Fox Tor Farm we continued to Fox Tor Girt and found a nice, sheltered spot for a brew.
Suitably refreshed, we picked up Black Lane (not much of a lane!) and followed it south to the “Post” on the watershed then followed the course of Blacklane Brook across Blacklane Mire towards the second marker post. By now we were again on a well-defined path that curved around across the old tin workings and on to Ducks Pool. We located the memorial and letterbox, let the ducks out for a breath of fresh air, signed the book, and posed for a photograph.
Heading westward, we crossed the “pool” (dry as a bone) and headed up to Great Gnat’s Head, where we discovered the origins of the strange rectangular features that appear on the satellite view of the area – peatland restoration. Downward to the Abbot’s Way and on to Plym Ford, where we found a sheltered spot for a slightly late lunch. By now the sun was shining brightly and it was starting to get comfortably warm.
Across the ford, and up the other side of the valley found us on a pleasant track to Nun’s Cross and from there back to the cars.
Phil