Wednesday 24th March

A cool clear night and an almost full moon as we set off from Two Bridges. One of us thought the start for the walk was in a different place and was seen speeding past the starting place.

We headed up to Crockern Tor under the moon.

On to Littaford Tor where Jon saw an Iridium flare at the appointed time at about 26 degrees. By this time he had caught up with us.  Then it was up to the top of Longaford Tor with this view towards Princetown. Next it was down to the weir.

As can be seen there is not much water coming from the hole (bottom left)

Jon and Mike decided that this needed to be sorted......

...and soon restored a proper flow.

A brief break for coffee and we went up the steeper bit to Beardown Tor. Back past the farm, through the woods and on to the Prince of Wales.

The landlady gave us a free bowl of 'spicy' hoops. In fact there were very, very spicey and we were unable to finish them.  With Mike, Peter, Pete, Jon ans Mike

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