Saturday 19th October Trowlesworthy Tors

After not being able to get out much for a week I needed a proper walk!  There would be no views today the cloud was very low - but this is what happens on Dartmoor.

Starting from car park by Brisworthy Barrows I took the track up by the side of the River Plym and around Trowlesworthy Warren House.

Little Trowlesworthy Tor emerged from the mist.

I went around the left side where there is this spoil tip of disused pieces of granite....

....these came out of a little quarry which has been cut out of the side of the tor.

Just a little further on is this huge cylindrical shaped carved slab of granite. This was carved out in about 1820 and was to be used as the base for a large flagpole in Devonport. By the time it had been finished it was no longer needed!

In front of it are more rectangular slabs which were carved out but not need. By now the clouds were blowing in and out.

Just ahead - Great Trowlesworthy Tor....

...I headed over Lee Moor towards Hen Tor

Hen Tor came into view after a while.

Next over this part of the moor to Spanish Lake where the stream crosses the leat.

But, first across the little stream called Hentor Brook.























The River Plym below - it was an illusion but from here it appeared that the river was flowing uphill.

Spanish lake comes in from the left and falls to the right crossing the leat which makes a "U" turn contouring around the valley

I followed the leat back to Trowlesworthy Warren House - past the lovely little bridge.

Then back down the track to the start.

Saturday 4th May Shell Top

Having been laid low for nearly two weeks with a very nasty bug it was good to get out again on another of my dartmoor walks.  A wet drizzly morning to start with but it changed to a lovely afternoon and perfect conditions for a walk.

I started from the car park below Gutter Tor and set out along...

 ...the track toward Ditsworthy Warren House - with Hen Tor in the distance

 So cute I just can't resist!

















Down to the ford but I walked along the river to find a better place to cross.

Ditsworthy Warren House and I looped up towards...

...Hen Tor. 

Looking back to Gutter Tor, Leather Tor and Sharpitor.

Up around and behind Hen Tor and towards the ridge.

 As Shell Top came into view..


















I got a spectacular view over to Plymouth Sound.

 Shell Top.

From here I followed the ridge.

About three miles away I could see the top of the spoil tip at Redlake...

...and Fernworthy Forest was visible to the North East...

 

...but this is remote and featureless area - navigation would be difficult in bad weather.

I walked on over Langombe Hill and turned north west  at Lancombe Head towards Lower Hartor Tor.

This took me through the valley known as Deadmans Bottom.

Approaching Lower Hartor Tor...

...with Evil Combe to my right.

Below Lower Hartor Tor a group of walkers had made camp beside the River Plym - what a great place to spend the night.

I headed over to the  Eylesbarrow track to return to the car.

Tuesday 5th February Combshead Tor

We started at the lane which leads up to Sheeps Tor just behind the village of Sheepstor.

A light dusting of snow on the higher moor.

Past a floral tribute left on Maiden Tor - a favourite place for someone on a beautiful tor overlooking Burrator Reservoir

Across to Leather Tor and Sharpitor

Around the lower levels of Sheeps Tor with time for some to look at the Piskies Cave...

...and the view from the top with the church in Sheepstor just visible.

A light dusting of snow transforming the landscape for a few hours, leaving this magical winter wonderland for us to wonder at and walk across!

From Sheeps Tor with Gutter Tor below and Hen Tor further away...

...Combshead Tor in the opposite direction...

...and Sharpitor, Leather Tor and Great Mis Tor.

Along the top of Sheeps Tor and then across to Deancombe.

 Looking back to Sheeps Tor.

Through Deancombe...

...and up again...

...to the top of Combshead Tor.

As we moved off towards Down Tor in the sunshine we could see the next wave of hail and sleet coming towards us.

Then down to Middleworth Tor and Norsworthy Bridge...

...and on the Royal Oak at Meavy with Rosemary, Terry, Amber, Colin, Brian, Bill, Charlie and Linda