Tuesday 10th November - Eylesbarrow

The approximate route is shown below - please click on this post in the index top right to display the correct map. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Another wet and gloomy day. The forecast suggested that it would improve during the course of the morning, in fact it got worse.

We headed up to Gutter Tor and then down the other side. Our leader pointed out this stone which it is thought was going to be made into a stone cross.

We continued on to Ditsworthy Warren House which seemed all the more mysterious in the cloud and rain.

On to the long stone rows in the Giants Basin.

Jon produced some chalk to make the markings clear on this huge standing stone. It is understood that these are Chinese characters and spell the word Ashley. There is a place in Hong Kong called Ashley Road.  It is not known who put these here. Information from www.legndary.dartmoor.co.uk

We continued upwards to Higher Hartor Tor and then to the remains of the engine house for the Eylesbarrow Tin Mine where we had our coffee break.

A further short walk up to the top of Eylesbarrow.

We took a direct route back through some clitter, girts and 'hummocky' ground.

Lunch was at the Royal Oak. With Jane, Terry, Charlie, Roger, Jon, Stella and Bill

Tuesday 4th November Merrivale

After days of unseasonably good weather today it finally changed and it was back to the usual Dartmoor gloom and much cooler too.

We set off from Merrivale and headed up to middle Staple Tor.

A short walk along the ridge to Great Staple Tor.

On to Roos Tor - this is looking back at Great Staple Tor

Our next destination was the stone circle but we diverted off the track to find the two cairns on top of the hill.
















Then it was onto the stone circle.....

..... and down to the hut circles where we stopped for the coffee break

The rain started and we turned to head back to wards the Grimstone Weir.

Across the River Walkham where unfortunately Roger took a tumble and slipped into the water.

Back across a part of the moor few of us have walked before and then back to Merrivale for lunch.

Lunch was better than expected and offered excellent value for money.

With Terry, Jon, Tom, Bill, Charlie, Roger and Ann
Approximate route below

Tuesday 20th October - White Tor

It is good to be back on Dartmoor after two weeks in the Lake District. A glorious morning and a record number of walkers, 17 in total. We met at Boulters Tor car park and filled it with cars.

A short walk along the road and then the track which leads out to White Tor. Boulters Tor can be seen here.

We took the track which leads down to Cudlipptown.

Crossing the stream at the bottom of the hill and then going all the way back up again.

To the open more and on to White Tor for the coffee stop.

Down to Stephen's grave, across to the Colly brook, through the enclosed land and onto the open moor behind Cox Tor. We then took the footpath which leads below Sharp Tor.

On to Great Combe tor with the churches of Peter Tavy  and Brent Tor visible.

To the old swimming pool which was almost empty.  Opened in 1932 and closed in 1992 but still used by wild swimmers.

Then it was down across a little footbridge which goes over the picturesque Colly brook and backup to the cars. Lunch was in the Mary Tavy Inn and given the number attending they coped very well.

With Peter, Sandra, Tom, Roger, Charlie, Bill, Jane, Phil, Ian, Brenda, Ann, Terry, Rosemary, Wendy, Jon, and Dianne

Tuesday 29th September - Merrivale

The beautiful autumnal weather continues. It was an interesting start, we were all there at the little car park just up the hill from Merrivale, but some thought it wasn't the place we should have been starting from.

This was a view across to Staple Tor and we set off a short distance down the hill before turning into the track which leads to Daveytown.

Stopping at this little disused quarry which overlooks Vixen Tor. After leaving here Terry realised that Huxley wasn't with us anymore so hew went back to find him. He was still at the quarry and in usual Huxley manner was barking.

We continued along the Green Lane.

Coming out on the road which leads up to Criptor. As we entered the moor we stopped for our coffee break. We  then set off on the path which leads up to the railway track. But before getting there, there was this little stream to cross.

Up towards the railway track with this view back a cross to Leedon Tor.

A visit to the London Bridge corbels with this view across to Pew Tor and Heckwood Tor.

Along the railway track for a while and then down below King Tor to cross another little stream.

A short walk back up to the standing stone just before the Merrivale stone row and back to the cars.

Lunch was in the Whitchurch Inn and it was here that the mystery of the starting place RV was eventually solved.

With Anne, Brenda, Dianne, Peter, Terry, Tom, Roger and Jon

Tuesday 22nd September - Harford Moor Gate

As always, through the very narrow lanes to get to the start of the walk which takes you to the southern most tip of Dartmoor. We could see the rain in the distance over Cornwall and we hadn't gone very far before it started.

On the way up to....

...Spurrell's Cross.

Next it was across to Ugborough Beacon which can be seen in the distance.

By the time we had got to the top the rain had stopped and the sun had appeared.

Of course, there are always some who must get on top. A coffee stop and then across to the nearby disused quarries with a fine view out to sea.

Western Beacon is in the distance.  We headed down past Crebers Rock and up to Butterdon Hill.

Butterdon Hill behind us on the way up to Western Beacon.

Back down to the railway track to return to the cars.  The pub was the Cornwood Inn but contrary to what was displayed on  the sign outside it was closed so we headed to the bar at Wotter but that was closed too.  So we returned to the Devon Tors in Yelverton and whilst the food was good the beer was not!

With Jon, Roger, Terry, Darren, Dianne, Anne and Linda.

Wednesday 15th September - Four Winds

A clear cool evening for our walk.

This was the view of the setting sun as I got out of my car.

First it was down to the Merrivale stone rows.

Back to the road and down to Merrivale to take the path out around the eastern edge of Merrivale quarry - this is looking back at the quarry as the moon became visible.

Darkness descended as we walked up to Great Staple Tor.  This is across to the mast on North Hessary Tor.

Along the ridge to Roos Tor for a coffee break and then down to the ford to cross the River Walkham.  From here it was steeply uphill to almost the top of Great Mis Tor.  Lots of difficult clitter on the way.

Down the track past Little Mis Tor and on to the Plume of Feathers.

With Charles, David, Jon and Brenda

Tuesday 15th September - Roborough Down

The skies were starting to clear after a very wet night. Starting from the car park by Bedford Bridge we headed up and under Magpie viaduct.





















This is towards Cox Tor and Staple Tor which were shrouded by the low cloud although pockets of sunshine started to appear.

An avenue of trees.

Another view towards Cox Tor, Staple Tor and Great Mis Tor as the cloud started to lift.

We headed towards Bera Tor where someone had spent some time constructing this seat out of dead branches.




















We didn't actually go to Bera Tor but went around and below before looping onto the path which leads down to Double Waters. Stopping at Raven Tor for coffee.

On the way down to Double Waters it was decided that it might be a good idea to go through the remains of an old underground leat. The entrance is here and whilst the underground part doesn't last for very long the roof gets considerably lower as you get into it.

This is the exit to the leat.

Tom was sitting having incurred three nasty grazes to the top of his head after banging it on the low roof.

Some immediate First aid was given and a bandage applied.  The rest of the walk was abandoned and we returned to the cars. Whilst shaken up the injury was fortunately of a superficial nature  although we did take Tom to the minor injuries unit at Tavistock hospital so that it could be properly assessed and cleaned.

With Tom, Jon, Roger, Terry, Ann, Brenda and Chris