Perfect conditions for our walk today which started from the Prince Hotel. Coincidentally this walk was to take us past several of the places mentioned in Jon Hayward's book 'Dartmoor 365'
We followed the track down past the Dartmoor Training Centre...
... over the bridge with this view down the West Dart River. Bellever Tor top left.
This little clapper bridge takes you over the stream known as Rue Lake.
Through this little lane....
...and we arrived the ruined farms at Swincombe
From here we headed up onto the open moor towards Royal Hill. Swailing has recently been taking place and evidence of it can be seen here. As you walk through it there is a strong smell of burning.
Soon we were heading down towards the very small reservoir at Swincombe. The smallest stone row on Dartmoor can be seen in the foreground..
... and here it is in more detail.
Down to the reservoir.
Where there was an old piece of a kayak, so of course, we had to do a framed group photo.
We followed the track downstream to 'fairy' bridge....
... where we stopped for our copy break. Just as we finished the local farmer joined us to give us a lecture.
Next a short detour to the remains of John Bishop's house.
Just across the valley is the remains of Dolly Trebble's house.
A little further down the valley are the remains of the Gobbet Mine
An adit at the Grobbet Mine.
Up through the timber mill at Sherberton....
... where there were these newly born calves
Soon we were back and this is a view of the Dartmoor Field Training Centre and the Prince Hall Hotel.
An excellent lunch was served at the hotel although some of us had to remove our muddy boots.
With Stella, Brenda, Viv, Ann, Linda, Charlie, Jon, and Terry
