My Dartmoor Walks

Friday 4th May Hamel Down (South)

On a dull hazy sort of day I took the road from Postbridge and stopped by Blackaton Piper Farm to go up through the gate to..

...Blackaton Tor (138). This is at the top of a short climb on a hill, all by itself and is a tor almost entirely surrounded by enclosed land and not one which you would normally visit...

...Hameldown Beacon is in the background.

I then took a short drive to Dunstone Down and set off for Rowenden Tor (139) - with Corndon Down in the background. Another isolated tor.

Next along the Two Moors Way to Langworthy Tor (140) - mainly exposed granite....

...with a few larger rocks.

Back to the Two Moors Way to find Stoneslade Tor (141) which is on the main path and not at the grid reference given in the book...

...Haytor, Saddle Tor and Rippon Tor in the distance

Next across to Old House Rocks (142) These are just below the ridge line and past...

...this stone which appears to be set within a Cairn. Apparently this is one of several on Hameldown Ridge showing the extent of land of the former Duke of Somerset's manor of Natsworthy (about a mile away).

Down off the ridge towards Widecombe to Wooder Goyle Rocks (143) a spectaculary beautiful spot. The rocks are at the top of the side of a very steep little valley and it is almost as though they have just 'tumbled' into the valley. I think my walking friends would like to see this.

In the distance the ridge line with Chinkwell Tor and Honeybag Tor and this is where we will probably be walking next Tuesday.

I headed back to the Two Moors way...

...and followed it almost to Wind Tor (144) which is the southern most tor on the Hameldown ridge line.

Thursday 3rd May Meavy and Bluebells

It is now the bluebell season so we started from the green at Meavy on the first of our bluebell walks.

Along the road for a while before going up towards Burrator Woods.

Lots of bluebells were out but we were a little early - they were not yet at there best.

Over one of the many stiles on this walk.

A short walk to Sheepstor and into the churchyard past the coffin stone..

..where there are three Rajahs burried - the Rajahs of Sarawak - members of the Brooke family.

On the left over the porch is a skull carved in granite with ears of corn issuing from the mouth and eyes.

On the right is a memorial given to the church by the Association of Sarawak Civil Servents with the Brooke family coat of arms at the top.

Much more information here: http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/sheepstor_church.htm

Through Sheepstor and up a track towards Sheeps Tor with Charlie demonstrating the best way to get under the fallen tree.

Around the end of the reservoir and up to the leat I had been walking beside the night before.

No words are necessary!

The view over the reservoir before taking the footpath back down to Meavy.

With Brian, Charlie, Roger, Linda, Terry, Rosemary and Bud and Chris in the pub

Wednesday 2nd May Burrator

A gentle walk saw John returning and leading the walk with his new hip.

Out from Leedon Tor car park around Sharpitor..

...to Lowery Tor with a fine view across the now overflowing Burrator reservoir.

Then downwards past an old quarry and a setters bench...

....towards the leat and with a cuckoo in the distance...

...for a break...

...and before we knew it we were back at the car park which had been taken over by 72 military waiting for it to get dark before they could start on a navigation exercise.

With John, Sue, Keith, Irving, Mike, Liz, Stella and Charles in the pub.

Tuesday 1st May Fernworthy Forest

Yesterday the weather forecast for today was very heavy rain. So it was decided to postpone the usual Tuesday walk to Thursday. In the event the heavy rain came and went overnight leaving bright sunshine in its wake. So what to do, easy, go for a walk on Dartmoor anyhow.

To Fernworthy forest in fact, stopping at the car park to check on the level of the reservoir. Well in the middle of a drought after, apparently, the wettest April on record it was very pleasing to see that it is full to overflowing!

On to the end of the road and then up through the forest on one of the better tracks..

...past a clearing with a stone row and ponies.

A typical view through the ever changing forest. A recently cleared area in the foreground, younger trees behind and more mature trees behind them - a sequence repeated all through the forest.

I was looking for Hemstone Rocks which is in here somewhere. On the map the area is shown as a clearing (well it might have been a few years ago). So in and up through this - not my favourite place to go walking...