Sunday 17th August Cadover Bridge

Tom is leading the walk on Wednesday evening and he invited me to join him on his 'recce' which was nice because I will be away and will therefore miss the walk.

Lots of rain, cloud and mist on the walk today as we headed up to the cairn on Wigford Down.

Nearby were these two ponies.

 Over to the road where there is this cross (not marked on the OS map)





















Down to the River Plym and...

...on to the cycle path.  The rough section between here and Clearbrook is out of bounds for the next 20 weeks whilst work to upgrade it takes place.

Through the tunnel to the other end and then a 'U' turn up the bank to the disused aqueduct visible at the top of the photo.

Back onto the road down to Shaugh Bridge and up through the woods to follow the disused pipe line back to Cadover Bridge.

The pipe line was use to move china clay suspended in water to Shaugh Bridge.  This is a very large disused holding tank adjacent to the footpath.

The Dewerstone on the the other side of the footpath

Finally back to Cadover Bridge.

Just two hours although it will take a little longer on Wednesday night.

Wednesday 13th August Manaton

An hours drive in heavy rain at first to Manaton.  Fortunately we only had a few light showers during the walk.  Superb views on the ridges but most of the walk was in the woods.

First up past the church to Manaton Rocks with superb views in all directions....

...towards Haytor Rocks...

...towards Hunter's Tor and the mid point of our route for today....

...towards Hamel Down....

Down to Foxworth Bridge then up to Hunter's Tor.

Where we stopped for our coffee break

Then down again to the old Clam Bridge...

...the old and the new bridge.

Followed by the stiff climb back up to Manaton.

On to the Kestor Inn for lunch with not the most welcoming of bar staff but the food was good.

With Terry, Jon, David, Tom and Stella

Wednesday 6th August Postbridge Waterfall walk

In the car park we met a young french couple on holiday in the UK for the first time Geoffroy and Blandine.  They had just completed a long walk to the reservoir in Fernworthy forest but were keen to join us on our walk.  So off we went and of course the first thing we did was take them to the clapper bridge - they are the two on the right.

Next it was along the track and up to Hartland Tor as the sun was getting low.

On to the remains of the Beehive Hut.

The moon was high in the sky.

We proceeded to the little waterfall on the East Dart River - my favourite waterfall on Dartmoor - where we took our break. The sun had already set but there wasn't a nice red sky tonight.

We crossed over the top of the waterfall and this is the view downstream...

...and the view upstream.

 

Soon it was dark as we made our way back. Geoffroy and Blandine came with us to the Prince of Wales and booked a night in the bunkhouse there.  Tomorrow their plans were to go to Lands End.

With Jon, Mike, Stella and Terry.

I have turned the comments box back on but will moderate them to ensure any malicious links are deleted.

Wednesday 23rd July Yar Tor

It was 23C at the start and much the same all the way round - at least it was a fairly gentle walk.

We parked just below the memorial to Capt Penny and headed up to Yar Tor.

Looking back to Sharp Tor...

...and over to Corndon Tor.

Yar Tor

The view across to Fernworthy.

Then down through the boggy bit, which very unusually was dry! On to the hamlet of Babeny.

 Along the road and....

...then the track and out on to the edge of Riddon Ridge past these horses who were demanding attention.

The route back along the ridge from the left.

Across the stepping stones by the ford on the little stream.

Up to the ridge line as the sun disappeared in the distance.

 On to the Cairn on Corndon Down with Corndon Tor in the distance.

From Corndon Tor with Sharp Tor in the distance. 

Finally down past the memorial to Captain Penny.

On to the noisy Prince of Wales with John, Jon, Peter, Mike and Stella.

Wednesday 16th July Eylesbarrow

What a difference a day makes - well 17 hours to be precise.  After the glorious sunshine yesterday afternoon it was back the Dartmoor gloom and none wonderful views seen yesterday

We started at Peat Cot and walked out towards Eylesbarrow. The heavy Dartmoor mist turned to rain and it was time for waterproofs. A man walked towards seeking advice and John tried to put him right.  He was planning to walk the Abbots Way to Buckfastleigh but was going in completely the wrong direction.  It is not easy to navigate in these conditions. In the background is Nun's Cross Farm

We continued to the cairns at Eylesbarrow.

With the boundary stone in between the two.





















Next past the old  Eylesbarrow Tin Mine....

...to follow the track to the mine workings near Plym ford where stopped for a while.

At least the rain stopped and it brightened up a little.

We continued along the track to find the  Northmore Cross on Hand Hill.

This is the smallest cross on Dartmoor then...






















...down the hill a short distance to find the inscribed cross which has been carved on the granite stone.

 We returned to the cars past Nun's Cross Farm with the sky all gloomy again.

To the Prince of Wales for lunch - with Jon, John, Brenda, Bill, Jane and Terry