Tuesday 22nd March - Wembury

A fine sunny morning for a trip to the seaside. Eleven of us met at Wembury.

Along the coast path towards Heybrook Bay. The muddy patches on the path had dried out and the surface was beginning to crack after two weeks without rain!

The Great Mew Stone.

Then it was down onto the beach for a walk on the sand and shingle and an opportunity to remove some layers.

Further along we took our coffee break but didn't have time to make any sandcastles.

Plymouth comes into view.

We took the footpath up through the holiday centre in Crownhill Bay. Higher up there was a fine view of breakwater with Rame Head in distance.

Through the fields.

The muck spreader had been out, the footpath had been covered in it and so had stile.

Past the walled garden of Langdon Court.

Through the holiday chalets and back to ...Wembury

Where lots of children appeared to be having fun on a nature day.

Lunch was at the Odd Wheel pub in Wembury where the service and food were excellent.

With Anne, Stella, Brenda, Amber, Colin, Jon, Terry, Roger, David and Charlie.

Monday 21st March - Beardown

A late afternoon walk by way of a recce for the walk I will be doing on Wednesday evening. There were two fire engines at the car park at Two Bridges.

The reason for the fire engines was plain to see. The concern must have been that the swailing might get out of control and reach the woods on Beardown Hill.

There was a very strong breeze which was fanning the flames and I would estimate they will probably 15 feet high in this photograph. During the last two weeks the strong north and easterly winds have dramatically dried out the surface of the moor and conditions are probably perfect for carrying out the swailing.

This area is just along from where the flames are and has been blackened by the fire. Interesting to see the scrub trees in this area are unaffected.

I continued up to Crokern Tor. Ter Hill is in the distance and the large black area is another area where swailing has taken place.

Looking across from Crockern Tor to Bellever Tor.

I continued along the ridge line towards Littaford Tor. The sheep by the stile had been looking at his friends on the other side of the wall and was trying to work out how to get across to them.

Further along to Longaford Tor.

I turned left to head down towards the weir. This is the view looking back down the valley with Wistman's Wood on the left.

A new stile has been put in place of the old double ladder type stile. This is much easier to get across.

One side of the old ladder stile had been left in this hole in the wall.

Down to the weir and it was easy to cross because the water level is low.

I took this as I was crossing the weir. Longaford Tor is top left.

A very typical Dartmoor scene looking up the river.

Next was the steeper bit to get up to Beardown Tor.

Beardown Tor with Great Mis Tor in the distance.

Heading back towards the woods on Beardown Hill.

Lots of cattle on the track.

Beardown Farm.

The leat joins from the left.

Wednesday 16th March - Little Roos Tor

A strong cold wind, moonlight and clear views.  Little tors was the plan. So from the road above Higher Godsworthy and firstly up to Little Cox Tor with a view over Tavistock.

Then contouring around it up to Little Staple Tor.

Along the ridge past Middle Staple Tor, Great Staple Tor and on to Roos Tor for the coffee.

The view back with the unmistakeable profile of Great Staple Tor and the orange glow from the lights of Plymouth.

Down to a tor just above the leat, which we have been past many times but it has been nameless until now. Jon has researched it and it known as Little Roos Tor. Always good to learn something new.

Back to the cars and on to the Queens Head in Tavistock, another first for this group.

With Jon, Mike and Kevin

Tuesday 15th March - Burrator

A lovely sunny day with a haze over everything.  Very cool in the wind at the start but we all warmed up as we went up towards Sharpitor and then around to Peek Hill with this hazy view over Burrator.  Our leaders plan was to take us all around the reservoir.

The easiest bit was going down to the leat and then through the woods to join the old railway line...

...where just above the dam there were these pair of boots which someone had left behind.




















Then it was down to the dam...

...and across

We stopped for coffee on the memorial benches by the smaller dam. Keith left us at that point to check something at home and expecting us to be well ahead and trying to catch us up (we were always behind) managed to do the rest of the walk on his own!  We took the route up Joey's lane to follow the low track below Sheeps Tor to the arboretum.  Around to Norsworthy bridge and then up to the leat.

Through the woods to come out just below Leedon Tor

Then a short walk over the ridge and back to the cars.

 

 

Amazingly we sat outside at the Rock for lunch. With Tom, Terry, Rosemary, Roger, Dianne, Jon, Keith, Sue, Brenda, Linda, Jane and Charlie

 

 

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.