My Dartmoor Walks

15th November Fingle Bridge

A very foggy drive over Dartmoor but just a bit misty at the start of the walk.

Our route was to take the high level path up along the top of the valley - just below Castle Drogo and then return alongside the river.

A steep track up towards Castle Drogo and along to Sharp Tor

Castle Drogo in the distance.

Holly in abundance

These are not good to eat but the fairies like them!

Along to Dogmarsh Bridge....

....and back along the other side

Then it got a little brighter and the sun came out.

The footpath on the south side of the river was closed so we came back to the original side to follow the river back to the start.

Past the weir...

...and a staircase to heaven? no - just a beautiful view.

For lunch at the Fingle Bridge Inn - busier than you might have expected for the time of year. The food was good.

Walking today, Paul, Charlie, Carol, Roger, Rosemary and Terry

13th November London REMEMBER

Tuesday 8th November Ryders Hill

Another typical 'Dartmoor' day, fog, low cloud and light rain and not a view in sight all morning.

So off we went from the car park at Combestone Tor...

...gently up the track to Horn's Cross.

Past the locals - but didn't cause any trouble.

Then, as expected, we were at the top of Ryders Hill and not a view in sight!

From here we headed across to the old tin workings at Hooten Wheals - up and down through the old girts dating from the 16th and 17 centuries. The workers digging these out had a hard life.

Aroud the capped off top of an old mine...

...on to Hooton Wheals. This part was in use from1890 until 1920.

In amongst all this the gorse had come back into flower.

Back to the cars - not too far from here - slipping and sliding on the very wet ground.

Walking today Paul, Carol, Roger, Terry, Rosemary and Linda

Sunday 6th November Windy Post

A beautiful sunny day with a cool and fresh north eastery wind. Winter doesn't start until 22nd December but it felt like it could be a winters day.

The start of the walk was Oakley Cottage. The leat with Pew Tor in the distance.

Then follow the leat around to Windy Post....

...........and the Bulleye stone in the leat, with King Tor in the background

Next to Pork Hill car park and up to Cox Tor

From Cox Tor looking across to Great Mis Tor and Great Staple Tor

Down to the dew pond with Great Staple Tor in the distance...

...and White Tor in the distance

Up to Great Staple Tor with Mary Tavy in the distance....

...Roos tor with White Tor and Great Links Tor in the far distance...

...King Tor and Foggintor

On the way down to the road a flock of starllings

Then over to the edge of the forbidden territory of Vixon Tor - protected by the barbed wire fence and the graffiti "no public access" on the stone wall.

Next over to Pew Tor and around the edge...(looking back at Pew Tor)

...and onwards to the quarry

Tuesday 1st November - Postbridge

Tuesday today and this is walking day with or without my playmates and the weather is looking good. Time to try a new route and a path I haven't used before so off to Postbridge.

Past the clapper bridge and turn right down the lane towards the Lydgate Hotel - easy so far.

Then to the open moorland with good views of the river in the autumn sunshine.

Not so easy through this bit - it would seem not many walk along this path...

....down through the scrub along the East Dart River

Next negotiate the electrifed fence across the path - good job the lecky had been turned off!

Back to the open moor..

Then over to a stream and down below a steep bank.

Eventually I was on the other side and on my way to Riddon Ridge with a good view across to Hay Tor and Rippon Tor.

Next over to the stepping stones by Laughter Hole House - currently for sale for £450,000 plus an annual lease payment of £9000 - very secluded setting.