Tuesday 11th April Western Beacon

Harford Moor Gate was the start today.  A horrible very narry road up from Cornwood.  The forecast was for sunshine and showers and it was spot on with a cool breeze.  

A direct line took us up over the Redlake Tramway - this was built in 1912 and used to transport men and materials to and from the clayworks at Redlake...

 ...and on to Spurrell's Cross - the cross marks the spot where one track crossed another one running north-south.  The base of the cross was replaced in the twentieth century.

A short distance away is Hangershell Rock (110)

 

 Across the valley to Ugborough Beacon and Beacon Rocks (111)

... looking across to Beara Common

 
Then we went in search of Creber's Rock (112) - not so easy to find coming down the hill but easy going the other way.

Then up again to  the trig point and cairns on Butterdon Hill.

...looking north to Three Barrows and Sharp Tor on the left.

Due south to Western Beacon past Black Tor (113)  - seen here centre left...

...and into this quarry on Western Beacon (114) for lunch and to shelter from the next storm coming over us.

Another quarry on Western Beacon and you can just make out the top of the tor.

Back to the Redlake Tramway when the heaviest storm of the day came in and then as it moved on the sunshine came out again.

On to Tor Rocks (115)

 ..and just before the car park a little stream to cross.

With Roger, Charlie, Terry and Rosemary.

Friday 13th April North Hessary Tor

On a beautiful warm sunny afternoon from the main Tavistock/Princetown Road to Little Mis Tor and nearby this cute new born foal - ahh

Little Mis Tor ( 102)...

...not so little when you are next to it but small in comparison to...

...Great Mis Tor (103)

One of my top four favourite tors - on a day like today from here you get fantisic views across a wide area of the moor...

...looking south to North Hessary Tor...

...north to Great Links Tor and ...

...twelve miles east to Haytor and Rippon Tor

Across Greena Ball to Clay Tor (104) which is on the northern bank of the River Walkham just east of Dead Lake.

Back over Greena Ball towards North Hessary Tor.

Just left off the road up to the transmission station is Herne Hole Tor (105).

Then to North Hessary Tor (106)...

...which is next to and dominated the transmission station and mast.  The transmission station was built by the BBC in 1955 when a transmitter was needed to introduce 405 line television into Devon. It now carries a small UHF TV transmitter which serves Princetown and Dartmoor. FM radio transmissions began in 1956 and covers most of Devon and eastern parts of Cornwall.

Nearby is Rundlestone Tor (107).  By now the bright sunshine had gone it had started raining and I was on the edge of heavy shower.  Far away I could hear thunder.

Another short walk to Hollow Tor (108)...

...with Great Mis Tor in the distance.

Finally over to Billy's Tor (109).  Well there isn't a tor here at all, just lots of boulders (or clitter),  but again it is in Terry Bound's book - so it counts!

Wednesday 11th April Great Links Tor

At last we can walk in daylight again on a Wednesday evening!  Just four of us from the Fox and Hounds and out on to the moor from Nodden Gate.  A glorious bright evening as the sun was getting lower in the sky.

Around the edge of Great Nodden.

Looking back across to Arms Tor and Brat Tor.

Bodmin moor in the far distance....

...the setting sun...

...and darkness begins to descend.

To the top of Great Links Tor, as it was finally getting dark, to see the International Space Station pass across the sky and out to sea twelve miles from Plymouth, the Eddystone lighthouse was flashing out its warning beam.  We came down near Dick's Well crossing members of the Dartmoor Rescue Group on our return to Nodden Gate.

A super walk with Tom, Charles and Jon.

Tuesday 10th April Wheal Betsy

With the expectation of bad weather we did a 'low level' walk starting from the newly opened Royal Standard in Mary Tavy.  A very pleasant surprise - Brian Wilson was with us for the walk and lots of catching up for me after a break of 24 years!  Through the village and around the edge of Gibbet Hill crossing the main road to make a detour to...

...Wheal Betsey, a disused Silver/Lead mine.  Note that nothing is growing on the slopes of waste.

 
So what is everyone looking at...

 ...the curved chimney stack and no one knows why it was built this way!

Looking back down the valley.

We ventured on towards Wheal Jewell Reservoir and most warmed up going up the slope so it was logical to take off the waterproof outer layer.  Then 5 minutes later a heavy hail storm meant they all put them on again.

After yesterday's rain there was a good flow of water from the leat feeding the reservoir.

 
How quickly the weather can change - the hail storm moves over Hare Tor and Ger Tor and then...

..5 minutes later its all clear again.

 

Around this rather unattractive reservoir that feeds the Hydro Electric power station at Mary Tavy.

Our special couple celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary wearing black armbands.

Then down the lane to Horndon and over many stiles to...

...to the church in Mary Tavy...

 ...with the grave of William Crossing - a man who knew Dartmoor better than most

A team photo

Rosemary, Terry, Charlie, Brian, Colin, Roger and Amber.

Bud and Chris were waiting in the pub, newly re-opened and just as smart as before.  Not very busy but a good lunch.