Tuesday 29th October Ryder's Hill and Rainbows

A fantastic morning, much cooler and more typical for the time of year.  Low strong sunshine with clear views and lots of heavy showers all around... and lots of rainbows.

Starting from Venford Reservoir...

 ...and almost immediately we caught the first shower - with Sharp Tor and Corndon Tor behind.

Our route took us over Holne Moor - Holne Ridge is in the distance.

Looking over to Haytor Rocks and Rippon Tor.

 Ahead was Horn's Cross but we didn't go there today.

Back to Sharp Tor with Chinkwell and Honeybag Tors.

 Terry checks out a boundary stone.














Combestone Tor below and Fernworthy Forest in the distance.

Upwards.

A Tornado was skimming the Tors and a low flying Hercules came from below the horizon.

 Surprising how wet the moor has become again in just a few weeks.

   On to the top of Ryder's Hill....

 ...with Red Lake in the distance.

Dramatic skies in every direction.

Over to the Girt just above Mardle Head.

The valley down...

... Hapstead Ford

Looking back up the valley.

Back over Snowdon.

 Venford Reservoir comes into view with a beautiful strong rainbow.

Then just to finish a double rainbow.

On the the Forest Inn - with Terry and Rosemary.

Wednesday 3rd July Ryders Hill

A cool evening as we set off around the reservoir, going into the footpath that runs around the edge of the water and coming out at the far end...

 ...near a hole made by a tunnel spider with his sticky stuff all around to trap his prey...

Looking across to Yar Tor and Corndon Tor (right) and Longaford Tor (left)...

...and over the Reservoir with Chinkwell and Honeybag Tor in the distance.

We headed over the moor which apart from the old mine workings is a fairly featureless area. There are fewer tors on the southern part of the moor, just gently up and down.  In the mine workings this mountain ash tree had fallen on its side and was supported by it own branches.

In the distance the cloud started to come in.

Then this beautiful area of bog cotton as we went down to...

Hapstead Ford and took our break.

Next we headed up the valley through the tin workings to the ridge in the distance.

To the top of Ryders Hill as the cloud and mist came in.

From here it was about an hour to get back to the cars.  This was a superb walk with Dartmoor in its most 'moody' of moods.

With Jon, John, Mike and Tom

Wednesday Morning 26th June Combestone Tor

A duller morning today but very warm and humid

We set off downhill from Combestone Tor..

...taking the track down to Combestone farm.

Following the footpath east above the River Dart valley - ahead of us on the other side of the river is Mel Tor where we were yesterday.

On towards Bench Tor but first...

...we have to go over the dam at Venford reservoir...

...which given all the rain we have had this year seemed to be surprisingly low.

Then up to Bench Tor...

...with fine views over the River Dart

Back towards the far end of the reservoir and over this unusual section of a leat.

Just a bit up and down around the reservoir.

Then over the open moor looking for a stone row, which doesn't appear to be there, before arriving at Horn's Cross and a short walk down to the cars.

A good lunch in the Forest Inn at Hexworthy.  With Ian

Tuesday 27th November Combestone Tor

A cool dull day as we set off downhill from Combestone Tor towards Combestone Farm past this renovated dry stone wall.

Then taking the green lane out and back on to the moor...

...which, of course was very wet...

...on in to the woods to the track built above the water pipe from Venford Reservoir.

Lucky Tor and the River Dart below...

...and Bench Tor ahead.

First over the dam at Venford Resevoir with this rather complicated overflow contraption.

Up to Bench Tor

Sunshine over the sea to the south but not on Dartmoor.

With fine view over the River Dart Valley and Mel Tor on the other side.

Back to the Reservoir and up the other side to Holne Moor.

Up and up towards Holne Ridge before turning north and back to Combestone Tor.

Past Horn's Cross.

Then on to the Church Inn which has a new and very friendly landlord.  The food was excellent.

With Chris, Roger, Charlie, Rosemary and Terry.