Tuesday Morning 19th December - around Whitchurch

A circular walk from Whitchurch which took us over Shorts Down, Plaster Down and Whitchurch Down. We started from the church but there was nowhere to park because the local primary school was having its annual carol service.

A frosty morning with the frost still visible in the shade on the other side of the valley.

Shorts Down where we passed the local walk and talk group.

 

On to Plaster Down where we followed the boundary stones for a while

The winter flowering of the gorse is starting.

Fallen and removed....

A coffee stop on the leat by the twelve mile stone (twelve miles from Plymouth that is

Around the reflective dew pond

Then down to a little stream which flows in to the River Tavy....

....and finally over the golf course

....past Pixies Cross

 

Lunch in the not so busy Whitchurch Inn. With Anne, Jon, Tyrone, Brenda, Stella, Colin, Amber, Terry, Harry, Charlie and Peter.

 

 

Wednesday Evening 13th December 2017 - Morwellham

An evening wander around the woods at Morewellham. Along the railway line to New Quay then up to the canal and back down again. All followed by sausage rolls, mince pies and drinks. Thank you Stella and Mike. Also with John, Jill, Pete, Jon and Anne.

Tuesday 12th December 2017 - Bleak House

A very icy start with pedestrians obviously struggling on the untreated pavements in Tavistock. So very gently out to the Fox and Hounds.  Up to Nodden Gate then along King Wall to find....

King Way Cross.  You can just make out the Greek style cross at the base of the stone. Much more about the cross on Legendary Dartmoor

Then a loop around to cross the track and directly up to the higher level of the track.

Looking south with Great Links Tor on the left, Little Links Tor in the centre and Arms Tor on the right.

Over to Gren Tor and then on to Hunt Tor for the coffee break

The view from Hunt Tor to Great Links Tor

 From here directly south to the track leading to Bleak House with Green Tor behind where we met Anne and Stella who had missed the start of the walk.

Fur Tor just visible on the left. We took the track back past Dick's Well

Sharp Tor and Hare Tor

Brat Tor in the distance.

Down over Arms Tor to the ford below Nodden Gate. Lunch in the very busy Fox and Hounds where they had 37 for Christmas lunch. No delays and our food was served very quickly. With Bill, Peter, Charlie, Terry, Colin, Amber, Stella and Anne.

Wednesday 29th November Cranmere Pool

A longer walk than usual. I parked at Belstone Green. This was the view along Belstone Cleave. The heavy overnight frost was still visible in the shadows but it had already melted in the sunshine.

I walked through Belstone and out on to Watchet Hill - ice and much water everywhere.

The Nine Maidens stone circle.

Just a little further up the track.

Winter tor with Yes Tor and West Mill Tor in the distance.

A little further along with Knattborough Tor in the foreground. Oke Tor is beyond that with Steeperton Tor to the left. Hangingstone Hill is behind Oke Tor.

The ever hardy Dartmoor Pony

Steeperton Tor

My route was to go over Okement Hill.  This is a disused Observation Post with Steeperton Tor behind.

On to Ockerton Court. I took a direct route from here to....

 ...Cranmere Pool. It is very hard going in this area, wet underfoot everywhere and large boggy bits. I had seen Patrick arrive just a couple of minutes before me. We had both started from Belstone but had taken different routes. So strange that you can walk for 3 hours to one of the most remote places on Dartmoor and someone else arrives at the same time. Patrick regularly walks this route but he told me this was only the second time he had met anyone here. Great Links Tor is just visible in the distance.

We both signed the visitors book.

I headed across towards Hangingstone Hill, I wasn't going there...

...but to the Ted Hughes Memorial Stone which is just north of Taw Head

It's actually on the mound in the middle of the photo at the end of the visible path.

I headed up to the old military road.

Belstone Tor on the left and Steeperton Tor on the right.

Across Knack Mine ford - this is Steeperton Gorge below and Cosdon Hill in the distance.

I walked back to Oke Tor and then took the lower track which leads out from Taw Marsh below Belstone Tor.

Looking back at Steeperton Tor

Irishman's wall coming down the hill.

A walk of nearly 12 miles on a beautiful winters day.

Tuesday 28th November 2017 Bere Alston

Starting from Bere Alston railway station for a walk organised by Stella.

We took the path down from the station through the woods to the river Tamar on the opposite to Calstock. Along the flood barrier and under the wonderful viaduct.

Following the flood barrier for some time....

...until we were opposite the Quay at Cothele.

Then up through the woods to Ward Mine where the council had very thoughtfully left some picnic tables for us to have coffee.

Just above the river on the footpath - with a passing heavy shower.

Over the boardwalk....

...and up to Lockridge Farm to see the rainbow.

On and up along the track before following the footpath back to the station. Very soft and muddy under foot with all the rain of recent days.

Lunch at The Plough, Bere Ferrers. It took a while to arrive but was of good quality. With Jon, Charlie, Terry, Dianne, Jim and Karen.