Friday 7th April - Rame Head

A beautiful spring morning and a much longer walk with Tom from Mount Edgcumbe to Rame Head and back.

The Cremyll ferry.

Out through Cremyll where the bluebells are already out - it will be another month before they are in full bloom on Dartmoor.

To Embacombe - Torpoint on the other side of the estuary.

Around Palmer Point and what was this man collecting in the mud?

Up to Maker Church - the footpath down to Maker Farm

A hazy view of the breakwater in Plymouth Sound

Into Kingsand for a coffee and then....

...out to Penlee Point with our first view of Rame Head

The little chapel on the top and the Coast Watch station in the distance.

Looking back to Penlee Point

The other way across Whitsand Bay

Tom

Then back again to Cawsand for a lunch stop. Looking back to Kingsand

Fort Picklecombe

Part of the old coast path has been closed for some years but it is clear that it is still well used

Back to Mount Edgcumbe Park and the folly - with Drakes Island and Plymouth behind

Towards the Royal William Yard

A hazy view of the house.

Tuesday 4th April - Around Dartmeet

A rather dull and cool day. We met at Dartmeet which is just now getting a little bit busier. We followed the East Dart north almost to Babeny. Then on the road through Sherwell before cutting up to Cathanger Rock. Up along the ridge to Condon Tor and down past the Penny memorial to Yar Tor. Finally across the main road to find the Coffin Stone. Lunch at Badgers Holt where the peacocks were putting on some fine displays. With Jon, Terry, Charlie, Dianne, Lindsay, Brenda, Anne, Elanor and Jane.

The East Dart

Sherwell

They came to see us but we didn't have any food.

Arriving at Cathanger Rock

Corndon Tor

Yar Tor

Coffin Stone

Tuesday 28th March Brown's House

A proper Dartmoor walk from Postbridge. Out through Braddon Lake and on to Row Tor.  There was some difference of opinion as to exactly where the Row Tor is. There are a number of granite outcrops over a fairly wide area and Row Tor covers the whole area which was under discussion.  It is also know as Braddon Tor and Hoax Tor. Then on to Brown's House. The route out was not as boggy as expected but there is a tricky stream to cross which is a little bit of a mire. The real boggy bit is on the way back to Lower White Tor. This is not a place for the inexperienced walker in difficult weather conditions. Into the bottom of Hollowcombe Bottom to then to follow the wall around the edge of Archerton bog returning through Archerton and back to Postbridge. Lunch in the Prince of Wales with Terry, Mike, Jon, Jane, Charlie and Brenda.

The iconic gate to the moor at the end of the track from Postbridge.

Looking across Broad Down

From the same spot looking back to Postbridge

On the highest part of  Row Tor with Rough Tor in the far distance.

Across to Lower White Tor and Higher White Tor. We set off to Brown's House.

Arriving at Brown's House.

Lower White Tor looking back to Brown's House - the track is much more clearly identified than when I was last there.

From Lower looking across to Broad Down - a threatening sky but only a few drops of rain.

The Carin and Cist near the stream which exits the Archerton bog.

Wednesday Evening 22nd March - Smeardown Down

The last evening walk in complete darkness as the clocks move forward at the weekend. Our route took us from the quarry car park up the track past Stephen's Grave, over White Tor, past the range hut to the Langstone. From here we headed north to Hare Tor (not the usual one) but a new one that Jon had found. Back to the wall corner, through Wedlake and finally over Setters Tor. To our surprise the Peter Tavy Inn was open - a real bonus. With Jon, Mike and Stella.

The view from the car park, Tavistock on the left

The Langstone

The little rock known as Hare Tor (GR 551791)

Tuesday 21st March - Venford Falls

Good to be back with the Tuesday group for a Dartmoor walk. The weather threw everything at us today. Bright sunshine at the start but with a bitterly cold wind as we left Combestone Tor and went down to Combestone. Along the track which leads across to Venford. 

A very heavy shower over the dam and then down to Venford Falls on the the Venford Brook.

Up to follow the pipeline track for a while....

....and then the path up to Bench Tor. Looking down the Dart valley

Across to Mel Tor

Then back down to the dam over the reservoir and gently up to Horns Cross.

As we walked down to the cars a heavy hail storm which made for a very tricky drive out down the steep and twisty road at Hexworthy. The sleet turned to snow on the way to...

....Princetown which had been turned into a winter wonderland.

The Prince of Wales was busy with a private party so it was on to the Plume of Feathers.

With Raz, Stella, Jon, Charlie, Terry, Peter, Brenda, Anne, Bill and Phil.

Wednesday Evening 8th February - Princetown

We set out from Princetown on a crystal clear evening with hardly any breeze. Along the Eylesbarrow track past South Hessary and then turned right in search of the little pool. We didn't find the pool but it was very wet under foot. Onto Cramber Tor trig point before going on to Cramber pool. The Tor was next where we had a short break and then down and up to Hart Tor. Past the old artillery range, across the road and up to the railway line to return. With Mike, Stella and Jill