Wednesday 8th May Bel Tor Corner

Lots of rain overnight and the forecast was for more rain but it was bright and breezy at the start as we set off across the moor...

...and down to Ponsworthy.

Joining the Two Moors Way following the West Webburn River to Jordan.

Next across the open moor to East Shallowford past this wild orchid on the way..

Once through West Shallowford we headed up to Corndon Down stopping for a while to watch a helicopter buzzing in the distance just above the tree tops

Eventually the helicopter came below and past us - in the photo it looks like a small toy but it was a real one.

Along Corndon Ridge and on to...

....Corndon Tor - looking back...

...and the same helicopeter was ahead of us again above the East Dart Valley with Mel Tor on the left.

Sharp Tor to our right...

...as we returned to the cars.

And as we reached the cars the promised rain started - thankfully two and a half hours late!  With Anne.

Tuesday 16th April Dartmeet

Dartmeet was the start and in season is a real Dartmoor 'honeypot'.  Today there was just us and a little doggy and he decided to spend three hours joining us on our walk.  We took the footpath up by the side of the visitor attractions.

Trying to find the marked footpath to the west of Yar Tor wasn't easy as we rose up above the valley of the East Dart River.

Soon we came to the enclosed land and went down to the small stream...

...and out through a really wet boggy bit.

Next through the small hamlet of Sherwell and on to the path to the most northern point of Corndon Down.

We split at this point with Terry and Charlie following the edge of the moorland whilst...

 

...three of us took the slightly easier route up along the ridge line on Corndon Down

 Soon we came to Cathanger Rock and at last the sun came out.

Onwards and up to very large cairns to wait for the other two to rejoin us...

...and then up to Corndon Tor.

Haytor Rocks and Rippon Tor in the distance...

...and over the top of Corndon Tor.

Looking down over Sharp Tor with Venford reservoir in the distance.

Then down to the war memorial to Lieutenant Evelyn Anthony Cave Penney who died in Palestine in 1918 aged 19.  The memorial is inscribed 'Look up and lift up your heads'  and here nothing could be more appropriate.

We set off down to the road.

This was the doggy that followed us - he had a collar but no tag so we didn't know his name but he had a good time and when we got back to the start he just disappeared so I guess he probably lived there!











The split 'coffin stone' where coffins were placed while the pall bearers took a rest going up the steep hill.  More about this here:
 http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/coffin_stone.htm

We retired to the Tavistock Inn at Poundsgate which had a warm welcome and good food.  With Linda, Charlie, Terry, Rosemary and Roger and Chris in the pub

Thursday 5th January Bel Tor Corner

Due to the storms on Tuesday our walk had been postponed to Thursday.  There were two things about  this memorable walk - mud and very high winds - at least we had a break from the rain.

We started from Bel Tor Corner which gives you a view across to Bel Tor (9).  You can't get to this tor because it is surronded by private land but you can get a good view.

From the car park we set off across to Sherberton Common to the cross roads that lead down to Ponsworthy where we joined The Two Moors way.  This follows The West Webburn river which was in spate after the rain which has been fairly continuous for the last week.  The footpath was difficult because of the mud.

This was Rosemary's second fall of three (oh you are a mucky kid!) and the rest of us were lucky not to do the same.  At least the mud meant a soft landing.

On the bridge by Mill House, Jordan

 We followed the path alongside the river to..

....Shallowford.

Then along the road for a short while before going back on to the moor.

This was steep and windy but the views were worth it.

Next across to Cathanger Rock (10)

Along the ridge now to Corndon Tor (11).  This was hard work in the wind! To stand still you had to brace yourself and walking was difficult because the wind was so strong it actually moved you across the ground.  Roger, our expert in these matters, estimated that the gusts were probably in excess of 100mph.

Corndon Tor spreads is spread over quite a wide area.

The view South towards Sharp Tor with Venford reservoir in the distance.

Looking back to Corndon Tor.

Finally lunch at the Tavistock Inn, Poundsgate.

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