Tuesday 8th April Two Bridges

A cool breeze but much brighter for our walk starting from Two Bridges.  Both car parks were full.  We set off up the track where we passed this lady on her horse.

A bigger than usual group today and it was good to have Charlie with us again. 

 
A little further along was this sign.

 
At the end of the track we headed over to...

...Crockern Tor

With this view over to Bellever Tor

Beardown Hill the other way across the valley.

Crockern Tor towards Beardown Tors

A bit of a delay negotiating a stile...

 ...and down to the little rocky ridge on the edge of Powdermills Bog.

Roger took a tumble on the 'humocky' ground - thankfully no harm was done.
















At this point we left the others who were going to Higher White Tor and we headed up to...

...Longaford tor

Across the valley to Beardown Tors.

 Crow Tor at the end of the valley with Wistman's Wood below

I had noticed the farmer on his Quad Bike rounding up the sheep and they were being loaded up when we returned to the car park. A small diversion to get round them.

They seemed happy enough.

We continued to the Prince of Wales in Princetown where Bud, Chris and Brian were already having lunch.

On the walk today Charlie, Colin, Amber, Harry, Roger, Chris, Terry, Rosemary and Linda.

Monday 7th April Merrivale Quarry

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Friday 4th April Kestor Rock

A late afternoon/evening walk starting from the end of the road in Fernworthy Forest. A pleasant walk through the forest....

...and out on to the open moor.

To the Long Stone with Kestor Rock in the distance.

Nearby are several stone rows - there is a double one visible and another going off to the right.  In the far distance is Cosden Hill.  I was heading down to the river near the end of the line of trees.

A closer view of one of the double stone rows.

My destination was the two Clapper Bridges.  This one which goes over the River Teign and...

...about a hundred yards away is another one which goes over the Wallabrook.  I have been very close to these two bridges in recent times but it's seven years since I was this close!

I followed the tree line back and this girl with her two dogs passed me, she was happy to have her photo taken. 

The wall corner on the left is Batworthy Corner.

I headed up to Kestor Rock - a most impressive tor.

On top of the tor are these two little pools both created by the elements over thousands of years.

In the distance is Chagford.  There is another stone row running off to the left.

Just across from Kestor is Middle Tor but as the sun was going down...

I returned to the gate on the edge of the Forest.

Tuesday 1st April Lopwell Dam

The plan had been to walk across at Lopwell Dam.  The planned walk was the other side of the River Tavy estuary.  The problem was the tide was too high and the walkway was well below the level of the water. So we had to make a route up on this side of the river.  Lopwell Dam to me is just a very large weir with freshwater upstream and tidal down stream.

We followed the path beside the tidal estuary past this pussy willow.

















A beautiful still spring morning and this lovely reflection on the water.

Past the bull rushes.

Around on to the road for a short while and....

....then through Blaxton woods alongside the water.....

...with just the odd natural obstacle.

The the village of Bere Ferrers on the other side.

A beautiful viewing place in Blaxton Woods.

 Along the little creek to Blaxton.






















Then a long hill up to Pound Cross with this view back.  There is a railway bridge in the distance and just beyond that is the point where the River Tavy joins the River Tamar.

A real farm here complete with lots of mud on the track behind the tractor and ...

...a proper washing line!

Past this grand old tree with daffodils around the trunk.

A real Devon bank alongside the lane - spring is sprung and it is rich in wild flowers.





















Back to Lopwell Dam where the walkway is now clearly visible.

Lunch in the Who'd have Thought It with a good selection of beer and....

...excellent food.  With Roger, Chris, Amber, Terry, Rosemary and Linda.