Tuesday 20th June 2017 Hapstead Ford and Ryder's Hill

On one of the hottest days for walking on Dartmoor but there was some relief with a cooling breeze.  From Combestone Tor and gently up to Horn's Cross.

Past the boundary stone and through the girts.

The sheep were all sheltering from the sun under the only tree  - very clever and not nearly as stupid as they sometimes appear.

Through the bog cotton....

To Hapstead Ford for a coffee.

Up the valley stopping to look at the orchids....

...and bog cotton.

Past Mardle Head....

...to Petre's Boundary Stone on Ryders Hill. At least we beat the other rambling group from Newton Abbott to the top. Another view of Red Lake in the distance.

Then very gently down to Hooton Wheals.

An old wheel pit and the ponies.

We avoided the tussocky stuff by contouring round and following an old leat and then gently back down to Combestone Tor.

An excellent lunch at the re-furbished Forest Inn, at least it is open on a Tuesday during the summer. Afterwards some went for a paddle and a swim. With Jon, Mike, Charlie, Anne and Jane.