Wednesday Evening 19th July Stannon

Over the clapper bridge like all the tourists but much to late in the day for them. The forecast was for fog and mist but it was raining so it was on with the waterproofs.

We took the usual footpath out to Hartyland but turned right up the track onto the road which leads Hartyland, along here for a little while and then left up the little used track to Stannon

Lovely Darmoor lighting over Sittaford.

Then down to Stannon which nestles on the east side of Stannon Hill and almost hidden from view.

The fence was down so we wandered into the garden. Superficially the building was in good shape, nearly all the windows were shuttered from the inside. During the 70's this was a retreat for the Rolling Stones and the kitchen was used as a recording studio. The house was powered by a diesel generator. As recently as 2000 it was available as a holiday cottage.

We exited the garden at the back and then a short walk to Stannon Tor for the coffee break.

Down to the Sheepfold built either to harvest starch from potatoes or to house sheep.

The structure is still in good shape

Down again to Hartland Tor and back to Postbridge to the ever depressing East Dart. Two walkers were just leaving the bar as we arrived and I suspect if they had gone 10 minutes earlier the place would have been closed. We enjoyed our beer with Live at the Apollo on the TV in the background!

With Jon, Brenda and Mike.

Tuesday Morning 18th July 2017 - Pork Hill

A classic Dartmoor walk with five tors, one standing stone and one stone circle. A very, very strong easterly wind as we set off up to Cox Tor - always a good way to blow away the cobwebs.

Down on a direct line to the footpath which goes through Wedlake and up to our second tor...

...White Tor and the customary coffee stop.

Down to the Langstone.

Around the boggy bit and up to the Langstone Stone Circle

 

On to the third tor Roos Tor and the darker skies to the south as the late afternoon storm moved in towards us.

Great Staple Tor was the fourth tor....

...and Middle Staple the fifth tor.

Then it was to the Dartmoor Inn at Merrivale where we received a warm welcome.  It being Tuesday the bakery delivery had not yet arrived so sandwiches were not available. Most had soup which did at least come with a bread role. With Jane, Brenda, Jon, Peter C and Charlie.

Monday 17th July 2017 - Blipmeet at Norsworthy Bridge

Wednesday Evening 12th July 2017 - Branscombe's Loaf

Starting from Sourton and the usual track up towards the tors. We went to the right and underneath to take the.....

...the track which goes around the south of them.

Along the top of the tors to view the beautiful crepuscular rays and the reflected sunlight on the sea off Cornwall.

Toward Yes Tor and...

...Meldon Reservoir.

Next the steeper bit  to get us up to Branscombe's Loaf. Much cooler with the breeze as we stopped for the coffee break.

Then around and down to Shelstone Tor.

As the sun got lower.

Across to the Ice Works  and down the track as the sun finally set.

On to the Fox and Hounds for a proper drink. With Mike, Stella and Pete.

Tuesday 11th July 2017 Burrator

The forecast for the morning was wet and so it was. Typical Dartmoor weather.

The view from inside the car at Burrator quarry car park.

Across the dam and up to Berra Tor.

Then it was through the bluebell woods (most dull when the bluebells are not out) through Sheepstor and on towards Sheeps Tor.

We found some shelter on the top for a coffee stop.

Then down through the Arboretum, over Norsworthy Bridge and up to the leat. Back down through the boggy bit where these big beast were taking a rest.

Down to the edge of the reservoir....

...finally up the track to Claig Tor and the cars.

On to the Burrator Inn where the first orders for hot food arrived on the table everyone was seated.

With Jon, Terry, Charlie and Brenda.

Tuesday 4th July 2017 Moretonhampstead

A warm, humid and sunny morning for a walk from Moretonhampstead to a corner of the moor we don't normally get to.

Through the town....

To the cycle path which leads to Budleigh Farm and then through Stewards Wood.

Gently up to Pepperdon Down.....

....for a coffee break on Pepperdon Rocks (a tor not marked on the os map)

We continued through some of the longer stuff on Pepperdon Dwon and through the lanes to Blackingstone Rock. This is a huge granite outcrop, detached from the main part of Dartmoor and most unusually has a set of concrete steps up to the top,

Not far away (in the centre of the photo) is Heltor Rock a similar but slightly smaller tor,

On top are a number of rock basins.

The steep steps down.

Back across another part of Pepperdon Down.

Along the track to Lewdowns Cottages where nearby is an old bulldozer which has seen better days - very strange that it should have just been abandoned here.

We took the road and a track down to Wray Barton - the old railway line ran under this bridge.

On to the relatively newly opened cycle path. This is adjacent to the old railway line which we followed back to Moretonhampstead.

With Terry, Mike, Stella, Jon, Charlie and Jane