Tuesday 7th May King Tor

Another glorious morning for a Dartmoor walk.  Starting from the car park below Shapley Tor we walked gently uphill.

Fernworthy forest to the left and Cosden Hill on the right.

On to Hookney Tor with Grimspound below.

From the same place but looking across to Soussons Down.

Then across to King Tor and a group photo.

So many tor are visible from here with ridge line of Haytor Rocks, Saddle Tor and Rippon Tor in the far distance.

 
We made our way down to Heathercombe...

...to follow the Mariners Way.

Across to Easdon Tor.

The Mariners Way was an ancient trackway between Bideford in North Devon and Dartmouth in South Devon along which sailors would travel between the two ports when moving from one ship to another.

Now at a much lower level in lush meadow.

Then through a really traditional farm yard - this could be the seen from a 100 years ago - except for the gas bottles.

Next to this is an old Ash House.  In traditional thatched buildings the ash would be taken out each night from the farm reduce the risk of an overnight fire.  The ash was stored for later dispersal as a fertilizer on the land

Much more about this here:-
http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/ash_house.htm

Looking back with King Tor in the distance.

Finally past this very ramshackle old caravan.  Not quite sure why it is being propped up - would probably be better if allowed to fall down!

On to the very busy Warren House Inn to join Bud and Brian.

Tuesday 12th February Four Winds

 A dull cold day and just a touch of frost underfoot.  We set off from Four Winds and up to Hollow Tor.

The view across to Great Mis Tor.

The dominating mast next...

...North Hessary Tor

Then down past Princetown to...

...the railway line.

We cut over to Swelltor Quarry....

...and one of the large holes left behind.

The view across to Foggintor Quarry.

King Tor was our next stop.

Then down to cross the stream and up to the large standing stone...

 ...and over to the stone row before returning to the cars.

Lunch was in the Darmoor Inn which was OK with Amber, Linda and Charlie.

Wednesday 17th October Leeden Tor (again)

The moor is a wet as it ever gets and as we set off over Leeden Tor there were more very heavy showers.  Down the other side to the little bridge and then up the path to the top.  With the heavy showers the path was like a stream as the water ran down.  Along the track and on to King Tor for the break,  the showers stopped while we were there and it was good to get out of the wind. Then down to the track,  around Ingra Tor and back to the cars.  On to the Burrator Inn - an uninspiring  place but the barman was friendly enough and our own company was good!  I haven't been there for a while - and don't plan to go back!

With Mike, Stella, Charles, David, Pete and Anne.

Wednesday 30th May King Tor and the Mariners Way

A lovely summer evening and six of us set out from Shapley Tor car park. Along the road down the hill to the Mariners Way - this footpath goes from Darmouth to Bideford.

Through the Devon meadows right on the edge of the moor...

...King Tor in the distance..

 ...through the field of rabbits - out playing in the evening sun.

 

Easdon Tor in the distance.

Past the very remote hamlets of Lower Hockner and Hethercombe and then...

...up the steeper bit to get to King Tor (214)

Across to Hookney Tor. From here you can see the Warren House Inn  so we set off at 'pub speed' to get back to the cars.  The pub is ready for the Jubilee.

With Stella, Mike, Irving, Pete and Anne.

Wednesday 23rd May Pork Hill

The hottest day of the year so far so it was surprising just how cold it was in the car park - with extra layers being applied.  We set off towards Cox Tor but didn't go to the top...

...instead we weaved across towards the gap between Great Staple and Middle Staple Tor.

Great Mis Tor was hidden in cloud...

...but King Tor wasn't.

We walked down to the Sett Makers' Bankers and Mike demonstrated how the men would work - kneeling at the 'bankers' to produce the setts (granite cobbles). Using a hammer and chisel the setts would be cut to size.  A single worker might produce 40 a day. 

The setts were taken to Tavistock railway station by cart. This work was done between 1870 and 1880 when there was much demand in the larger towns of the the southwest for kerbstones and small blocks of granite for paving town streets.

Just a short walk from here to the disused quarry at Merrivale which closed in 1997.

On the side of the quarry is an old Perigrines nest.










 

The blast hut overlooking the road.

We walked towards the forbidden territory of  Vixen Tor...

Where the landowner has banned public access with this really classy sign!

It is amazing what you can do with a telephoto lens these days especially if you can get in really close!

 We stopped for a break nearby and then saw these bluebell fields just over from Heckwood Tor.

Finally around Pew Tor before returning to the cars.  Drinks were in the Whitchurch Inn.  Some people have no consideration for others - they actually ordered hot chocolate after the bar lady had cleaned the machine - but she was most helpful.

With Stella, Mike, Sue, Keith Pete and Anne.