Tuesday 13th December Yellowmead Farm

A night of storms, gales and high winds.  A heavy shower turning to snow and sleet on the drive to Princetown and Roger delayed by a fallen tree.   So some concern at the start about walking conditions but the sun was shining at the car park at the begining of the Yellowmead track.

Along the track to Foggintor...

 To what remains of the little hamlet that existed during the quarrying days.













All that is left of the lower walls of the stables set against the huge spoil tip behind.

On to the disused railway line that leads around King Tor (looking back at Foggintor)

  From the railway line down to Hucken Tor.

Looking across to Vixen Tor

Then along the track to the farm at Withill. Our path was blocked for some time as the farmer was using the track as pen so that the calves could be seperated. Eventually the task was completed and we were on our way.

Looking across to Ingra Tor with Leather Tor in the far distance.

On the road for a while before turning left at the cross roads towards Criptor and then back up to the railway track by Ingra Tor.

The short cut to take us back to Foggintor Quarry and return to the cars.

Across to Merrivale quarry and Staple Tors

Whilst we could see rain showes all around during the walk it didn't rain on us!!

Lunch in the Prince of Wales, but war broke out when we tried to leave.  Henry the cat was trying to come in as we were trying to get out.  Now we all know Henry is in charge and he wasn't moving for anyone including Huxley or Mackie - drawing blook on Huxley and going for a full bodied attack on Mackie.  Fortunately they all lived!

Walking today Charlie, Roger, Terry, Rosemary, Paul and Bud.

Friday 9th December Lane End

Another cold day and wintery showers.

Just after leaving the car and walking towards Ger Tor a rainbow!

Crossing theMine Leat

Looking down to Tavy Cleave from Ger Tor

Hare Tor from Ger Tor

Another rainbow over Amicombe Hill

Tavy Cleave Tor with Lynch Tor on the skyline

From Hare Tor                                        ... across to Fur Tor with the range huts on Amicombe Hill

 ...looking back to Ger Tor

....across to Sharp Tor and Great Links Tor

 ...Doe Tor (extreme left) with Brat Tor and Arms Tor in the distance

....Fur Tor

From Hare Tor with Sharp Tor on the left with Great Links just behind and you can just see the tops of Higher and Lower Dunna Goat and the track leading to Chat Tor towards the right.

On to Sharp Tor

Hare Tor from Sharp Tor

From Sharp Tor looking down on the disused mine house (at 545853) along side Doe Tor Brook

Below Sharp Tor with Great Links Tor in the distance

Doe Tor, Brat Tor and Arms Tor

Wednesday 7th December Gutter Tor

A good group tonight for a walk on a cool evening. From the car park and over Gutter Tor.  Then down to the track to Ditsworthy Warren House and over Eastern Tor to the old mine workings in Drizzle Combe.

A pause here by the mineworkings with Anne actually looking like she was coming out of a mine - in fact it is a window in a very derelict building.










From here we took the track to the Eylesbarrow Tin Mine and then went over to one of the hollows below Eylebarrow for a short break out of the wind.

Next back down  with a short unplanned detour into eastern most edge of Deancombe, through some girts and with a bit of a scramble to get out again.  Along the Boundary Workings and back to the cars.

Onwards to the Royal Oak at Meavy where we were joined by Mike and Stella and later the Morris dancers drowning out the conversation with their accordians and singing!
 
On the walk Mike, Liz, Keith, Sue, Pete, Anne and David

Monday 5th December High Willhayes

A winter's day for a change (well it is December) with a forecast of sunshine and showers.  A solo walk and a good day to go to the top of the moor, well the highest point that is.

Starting at Meldon Reservoir and good to see that it is full up again.  In fact full up and overflowing.

Up the track over Longstone Hill - looking across to West Mill Tor and Rowtor

 On to Black Tor

The track back to Longstone Hill

 
From Black Tor towards Vellake Corner

 Across to Sourton Tors with Shelstone Tor below

On this part of the moor the Dartmoor ponies are different with long flowing manes

From Black Tor up to Fordisland Ledge with a view to Fur Tor and Lints Tor with the North Hessary Tor mast in the far distance.

Just a short walk to High Willhays with Yes Tor in the distance.  Of course, Yes Tor always looks higher but we all know it is not!

Along the ridge to Yes Tor looking across to Cosden Hill....

...East Mill Tor and Oke Tor...

...back to High Willhayes

Across to Branscomb's Loaf and Sourton Tors.  To the right, below Sourton Tors the Ice Works can be clearly seen.  Much clearer than when you walk through them.

From Yes Tor down through the clitter to and back to the original path over Longstone Hill.

The Meldon viaduct.

One of those lovely rainbows in the showers.

Back to the reservoir overflowing in abundance.