Friday 4th March - Kestor

Oh what a day to go out and walk on Dartmoor. Bright sunshine interrupted with snow and hail showers. 

I drove through Princetown in bright sunshine - five minutes late this was the scene on the main road to Postbridge.

I couldn't resist stopping at Postbridge to photograph the clapper bridge and it was good too that no one else was there.

Then through the narrow lanes to the end of the road by Fernworthy reservoir.  The road through Lower and Higher Corndon is in a bad state of repair with lots of huge potholes.

A short walk through the woods which, I think, always look magical when there is a dusting of snow.

To the gate which leads out onto the moor. Thornworthy Tor is in the distance.

It is incredible how the dusting of snow seems to add extra definition to everything.

Across to the Long Stone as another snow shower came in (Kestor Rock) in the distance.

Then down to the two clapper bridges this one is the Teign-e-ver which goes over the North Teign River....

...and then this single clapper bridge over which goes over the Wallabrook (in the distance is Watern Tor)

Back around Batworthy Corner and up to Kestor Rock as another squall comes in.

A break for hot chocolate and breakfast sandwich.

I always like to see the little pool on top of Kestor which is entirely natural and formed by the elements over thousands of years.

On to Middle Tor (with Kestor in the distance)....

 

....and then a little further along Frenchbeer Rock 

Down through a very wet and muddy patch before going back up again to Thornworthy Tor

Then back across to the woods for the short walk back to the car. A late lunch in the very busy Fox Tor café in Princetown.  All in all wonderful conditions for an invigorating walk.

Wednesday 24th February - Widgery Cross

A super cold clear and  starry night. Out from the Fox and Hounds. Across to the stepping stones and up do Doe Tor Farm.  Through the clitter to the top of Doe Tor where Terry went down and badly grazed his hand. He was bandaged up as the moon appeared over Sharp Tor. On to the mine with no roof for a coffee break. Up through the girt. Over to Brat Tor and Widgery Cross.  Then back to the the pub. 

With Terry, Jon, Mike, Pete, Stella and Pete.

Tuesday 23rd February - Smeardon Down

Another glorious morning and what a difference the sunshine makes.  16 of us set out from the Peter Tavy Inn.

Up by the side of the Colly Brook and...

















...out on to Smeardown Down to see the 'Green Man'

Up the track.

To Setters Tor - looking back

...and to the side.

To White Tor for a coffee break.

Down through a Bronze age settlement where you can see the boundary wall clearly.

To cross the Colly Brook by the gate.





















The view across to Brent tor

Around Sharp Tor

 To find the gate down.

Two seriously tricky stiles with barbed wire where it shouldn't be.





















Good to see the new lambs.

An excellent lunch back at the Peter Tavy Inn

With Stella, Brenda, Ann, Anne, Jane, Amber, Dianne, Colin, Charlie, Terry, Bill, Peter, Jon.

Tuesday 16th February - Gren Tor

A glorious frosty morning with a cool breeze.  Thirteen of us head up the track from Sourton.

Our leader checks our position.

To the ice works, Yes Tor in the distance.

Unusually, there was actually some ice in the ice works!

A little pond with lots of tadpoles and discussion about whether they would survive or not.





















On to the 'points' with Great Links Tor in the distance.

Then up to Gren Tor for a coffee break and.............

....Harry put on a fine flying display with his drone. Up and away.  A shame we couldn't see the live images from the on-board camera.

That way

Next across 'proper'  Dartmoor, through difficult ground and a boggy bit to Lyd Head.  This is looking back to Gren Tor.

From Lyd Head it was over to Branscombe's Loaf.  There was some dispute about the actual distance!

I left the group at this point as they headed down the steep bit to Shelstone Tor.

Apparently a good lunch was had in the Bearslake Inn.

With Tom, Terry, Harry, David, Colin, Amber, Anne, Brenda, Stella, Dianne, Charlie and Phil

Tuesday 9th February - Granite Way

12 of us met on the road to Bridestowe to walk along the 'new' bit of the Granite Way.  This opened about 18 months ago but this was the first time I had been on it. Busy with bikes horses and dog waters.

Soon we were back on the older part (of the Granite Way) and this is one of the sculptures on this bit - there was more money it seems in when this part of  the cycle path was created for nice things like that.

Just before the Lake viaduct is this old railway store building.

We left the Granite Way at Sourton....

....and took the long path up below Sourton Tors to the Ice Works.

Then across to the track.

Rain clouds in the distance

On to the 'points' with Great Links Tor in the distance.

Gently down the track past Great Nodden.

Snow in the distance on the aptly named White Tor.

Then down to the Fox and Hounds for lunch.  Very friendly service and the food was good too followed by the final walk back to the cars.

With Jane, Anne, Brenda, Peter, Sandra, Bill, Colin, Amber, Jon, Charlie and Terry