Friday 17th May Horrabridge

The usual Tuesday walk was moved to Friday this week - just as well because on Tuesday it was heavy rain and today we had glorious sunshine.  Starting from The London Inn in Horrabridge and Roger had bright new rucksack - a lovely shade of very bright fuchsia pink!

 Up the green lane which goes from the old school.

 The bluebells are out at last.













On to Plaster Down heading towards...

...Pew Tor

Stopping at the old quarry so that Murphy...

 ...could have a good swim. Round and round he went and he didn't want to leave!












Then up to the top...

...by Little Pew Tor and on...

...to Pew Tor

Down to the track and on...

...to Sampford Spiney...

...where the Alpacas live.

Then back along the footpath through the eventing field...

...and past some moody cows - they didn't like the dogs!

With a few stiles on the way.













Back to Horrabridge....

...and the London Inn for a super fish and chip lunch using the winnings from our many quiz nights.

On the walk Rosemary, Terry, Chris, Roger, and Paul and in the pub Bud, Chris and Linda.

Wednesday 15th May Peat Cot

Well we are five weeks away from midsummer day and surely it will get warmer soon! This evening it was cold with snow here the previous night.  After lots of rain it was wet underfoot again but this was a clear evening with dramatic skies.  We started from the little car park by Peat Cot

Looking south west towards Crane Hill.

Along the track to Nun's Cross farm.

Around the leat...

...and over to the Cross (on this one the cross is inscribed on the stone)

Then up to the little cross.

 

Nearly twelve miles away we could just make out the familiar shape of Great Links Tor.

We went over the edge of Crane Hill and down to Plym Ford stopping for a break.  While we were sitting, drinking coffee and watching the sky a badger suddenly appeared about twenty yards away.  He was as amazed to see us as we were him and before I could get my hand on the camera he was gone!

On towards Evil Combe as the sun got lower...

...to the Eylesbarrow Tin Mine workings.

As we walked over Eylesbarrow the darkness slowly descended...

...and the moon came out.

With Stella, Mike and Jon

Wednesday 8th May Bel Tor Corner

Lots of rain overnight and the forecast was for more rain but it was bright and breezy at the start as we set off across the moor...

...and down to Ponsworthy.

Joining the Two Moors Way following the West Webburn River to Jordan.

Next across the open moor to East Shallowford past this wild orchid on the way..

Once through West Shallowford we headed up to Corndon Down stopping for a while to watch a helicopter buzzing in the distance just above the tree tops

Eventually the helicopter came below and past us - in the photo it looks like a small toy but it was a real one.

Along Corndon Ridge and on to...

....Corndon Tor - looking back...

...and the same helicopeter was ahead of us again above the East Dart Valley with Mel Tor on the left.

Sharp Tor to our right...

...as we returned to the cars.

And as we reached the cars the promised rain started - thankfully two and a half hours late!  With Anne.

Tuesday 7th May King Tor

Another glorious morning for a Dartmoor walk.  Starting from the car park below Shapley Tor we walked gently uphill.

Fernworthy forest to the left and Cosden Hill on the right.

On to Hookney Tor with Grimspound below.

From the same place but looking across to Soussons Down.

Then across to King Tor and a group photo.

So many tor are visible from here with ridge line of Haytor Rocks, Saddle Tor and Rippon Tor in the far distance.

 
We made our way down to Heathercombe...

...to follow the Mariners Way.

Across to Easdon Tor.

The Mariners Way was an ancient trackway between Bideford in North Devon and Dartmouth in South Devon along which sailors would travel between the two ports when moving from one ship to another.

Now at a much lower level in lush meadow.

Then through a really traditional farm yard - this could be the seen from a 100 years ago - except for the gas bottles.

Next to this is an old Ash House.  In traditional thatched buildings the ash would be taken out each night from the farm reduce the risk of an overnight fire.  The ash was stored for later dispersal as a fertilizer on the land

Much more about this here:-
http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/ash_house.htm

Looking back with King Tor in the distance.

Finally past this very ramshackle old caravan.  Not quite sure why it is being propped up - would probably be better if allowed to fall down!

On to the very busy Warren House Inn to join Bud and Brian.