Rambles 2019
Walks in 2019
October
Surprisingly, 10 hearty souls turned out for the walk today is spite of a rather dire forecast for rain and strong winds- 40mph! I changed my mind 3 times about where to walk because of the worsening forecast and finally decided on Moretonhampstead. We walked up to Butterdon Down where we tried to shelter rather unsuccessfully for a drink stop, then on to Cranbrook Castle where we walked the ramparts admiring the lovely 360 degree views and where we found shelter for lunch in the sun. After lunch we headed for illingstone Rock. We had been very lucky with the weather thus far but when we reached Mardon Down there was an onslaught of vicious hail and wind so we opted for walking down the road back to Moretonhampstead rather than across the top of the Down and along footpaths. The walk was 7.5 miles. We made it back to the car park with 18 minutes to spare.
We were delighted to welcome two new walkers, Margaret Gibson and Mike, and hope to see them again. Also, it was great to see Margaret Deem back who had been away for some time with a bad knee.
Hope to see lots of you out next month.
Kathy
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September
On 20th September nine of us led by Heather had a second attempt at the Scorhill walk. This time the weather was lovely, despite a strong headwind, warm in parts and mostly dry underfoot. We started from the car park near Scorhill Circle and crossed the 2 clapper bridges before heading up towards Shovel Down where we had coffee in the remains of a hut circle. Then we followed an overgrown track past and around the edge of Stonetor Hill on the edges of the Fernworthy plantation. The much more obvious track here took us up to Kestor Rock and through a herd of very pretty calves with their mothers down to Middle Tor. Here, we found a sheltered spot for lunch with grand views. We then dropped down to join the Two Moors Way into the forestry plantation at Gidleigh Tor. Since the last time we were there, many larch trees have been removed due to a disease on both sides of the River Teign and this has opened up the woods to the light beautifully. It was then a trudge up the lanes back towards the cars. We had covered around 7 and a half miles.
August
Last Friday, 23rd August Tom led 6 of us on a splendid 8.5 mile walk around Lustleigh Cleave starting from the village where we saw the attractive commemorative granite stone carved with the names of Lustleigh May Queens going back many years. We then climbed steeply up to Sharpitor where we had a coffee stop sitting on wonderful mossy stones in a nice shady spot and debating whether the large granite stone above us was actually the Logan stone marked on the map. From there to Foxsworthy bridge for lunch, past the house situated between Horsham and Water which is built into the hillside and covered with a turf roof. If you struggle uphill you need to go down so we did, very steeply back to the river Bovey. We walked along the west side of the River Bovey (very lovely)but got a tad confused when Heather noticed the river had changed direction! (Well spotted, Heather!) (Tom at this stage had gone on ahead for a bit of peace...) I suddenly remembered Tom saying we would walk by the spot where Becka Brook joined the River Bovey so we were actually walking upstream beside Becka brook at that stage. We then found (and disturbed) Tom at the footbridge. Eventually we crossed a beautiful little hump back bridge called Bisley Bridge to make our way back via a wonderful footpath which came into Lustleigh behind the Pub. No time for tea which was a shame but ice creams were very welcome as it had been quite a hot day. It was a wonderful walk so thank you, Tom!
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July
On 19th July twelve of us ignored forecasts of poor weather and headed up to Northam Burrows for our annual seaside walk. After a brief stop at Torrington Common where the building of the Mayflower replica was in progress, we went on to park at the Skern on the Appledore side of the estuary and had coffee on the pebble beach - see photo. Heading around the tip of the Burrows we enjoyed the variety of coastal plants such as Sea Holly and the sound of curlews and skylarks. Because of the forecast there were few golfers out so we didn't have to run the gauntlet of golf balls and shouts of "Fore!". The Burrows Centre, with it's fascinating displays of wildlife and history, was also a welcome break out of the warm wind. At Westward Ho! there is a new pasty van selling pasties and good coffee with tables to sit at overlooking the wide sands and Pebbleridge, so we had our lunch there.
After lunch we headed away from the coast path and climbed onto Kipling Tor with the spectacular views and as we were coming down again it finally started to drizzle with rain. We split into 2 groups and some of us continued along the old railway line/coast path above the Cornborough cliffs so that we could see the view of Peppercombe Beach down below and a misty glimpse of Bucks Mills and Clovelly through the rain, before turning back. By the time we got to Braddick's Hotel and joined the others we were damp and in need of pots of tea! It was then back through Westward Ho! to the Hocking's ice cream van and across the top of the Burrows to our shared cars. The weather had been mostly dry after all and our lovely long and leisurely walk was just over 9 miles.
June
On Friday 21st June, an amazingly beautiful day, eight of us were led by
Tom on a 7 mile walk starting from Postbridge where there were plenty of
sightseers none of whom did we see again once we left the car park. They
were all left standing on the wonderful clapper bridge in smart summer
outfits preparing for photos to be taken. We headed for Bellever Tor
passing a number of cairns and stone circles en route. Stopped there
for coffee so we could admire the stunning 360 degree view. After that
on to Laughter Tor for lunch, another great view and then returning
through the forest tracks and Bellever hamlet in order to avoid the
dreaded Laughter Hole stepping stones. Tom claims he once came across a
gentleman spread eagle across the stones so that his "girlfriend" could
walk across on his back! I say "girlfriend" rather than wife as I am
not certain a "husband" would go to quite such lengths for a wife!
Anyway, do we believe Tom? Altogether it was another wonderful walk so
thank you,Tom.
May
On 17th May 10 of us set off from the small car park opposite The Two Bridges Hotel. We stopped at the edge of Wistman’s Wood for a closer look at the wood and a coffee break. Then we made our way to the end of the wood and walked uphill to Longaford Tor where there were good views over the moor. We stayed there for our lunch break and then retraced our steps back to the river, walking upstream to find the crossing point. We then joined the Devonport leat which we walked alongside until we reached Beardown Hill Wood. We all enjoyed the views of Wistman’s Wood from the other side of the river - and the bonus was the continuous sound of the cuckoo! After coming out of Beardown wood we walked a delightful stretch of the Cowsic River before it joins the West Dart river at Two Bridges. A very enjoyable walk with good weather and excellent company!
Report from Jenny Lee who led the walk and photos from Tom.
April
In spite of the forecast wind and rain, 13 walkers turned out to walk 8 miles, which I thought was remarkable - What a hearty bunch! In fact we had only a bit of drizzle and then one heavy shower while slogging up to White Tor. Luckily it stopped for our lunch there and we found good shelter under the Tor with a stunning view.
We started the walk from a quarry above Peter Tavy at Smeardon Down, then headed down to Horndon Bridge where we stopped for coffee as it had started drizzling and there was some shelter amongst the trees. From there we went along Tavy Leat, up to White Tor, down to Stephen's grave, across Colly Brook to Great Coombe Tor (a slight misnomer as rather it's insignificant!), down to Colly Brook again which is so lovely and then back up through the woods where we were rewarded with the spring leaves on the trees, bluebells and wild flowers.
Apart from the lovely views we were also rewarded on the walk with masses of new-born lambs, snow white with black faces and feet, gambolling about and looking so adorable. The only downside were a few dead lambs, one beside its mother who appeared to be tied (?) to the fence or tangled in the binder twine which was attached to the fence. She was distressed and intent on damaging herself so one of our walkers set her free with a bit of help from me. She frolicked away with no thought to her dead lamb. She appeared to be thinking "Freedom, hurrah." We hope the farmer will not be very cross but surely he did not want a dead lamb and an injured ewe.
We came across another sheep stuck fast in a drainage ditch which went from the field, under the hedge and onto the road. I left a note at the farm hoping she might be rescued. In spite of this it was a lovely walk.
March
Some would call us MAD for going on our Dartmoor walk at the tail end of Storm Gareth! Scorhill is usually a safe bet and this is where we started in high winds and some drizzle but we agreed to keep it short and head for a cream tea somewhere afterwards! Our plucky seven, all in appropriate wet-weather gear, headed down the Berrydown Lane to Gidleigh Tor Woods crossing over the spectacular River Teign, where we had coffee, and up to Teigncombe where we joined the Two Moors Way.
The track was very muddy and slippery in places but sheltered from the wind so we were cheerful walkers at this point! However, as we turned west up the lane to Frenchbeer Rock, things took a turn for the worst and we should have taken heed of all the miserable ponies hiding in the gorse bushes! But we were looking forward to our moorland lunch-stop and the remaining section of the walk back to our cars so on we pressed...….!! (cue dramatic music!)
The wind was now gale-force, coming from every direction out here on the open moorland and we could hardly keep upright! Driving rain got inside every gap in our clothes and we couldn't hear each other speak or shout. We were faced with turning back the very much longer route back the way we had come or enduring the exhausting struggle against the elements. So we turned round, had a very cold and soggy lunch and walked all the way back. By the time we got back to the cars we had walked 7.5 (although it felt like 20!) miles and we were soaked through to the skin. We didn't go for a cream tea either!
Probably our worst walk ever but we are a hardy and jolly group who will be turning out again next month - yes we are MAD!!! Thanks to Heather for the report and photos
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February
Eight of us were lead by Tom on a 7.4 mile glorious sunny walk across the moor south of Princetown. We headed for Eylesbarrow Tin Mine where we enjoyed our first break surrounded by interesting ancient industrial workings overlooking Higher Hartor Tor. From there we dropped down to Drizzlecombe with an array of megaliths - standing stones, barrows and the longest stone row on the moor.
Parallel to the River Plym, with strip fields above, we followed the track round to Ditsworthy Warren where part of Warhorse was filmed and enjoyed another break. We double-backed by pretty much the same route but, as most of us had never been down to that area before, there were still fabulous moorland views to enjoy. And the weather was perfect as the pics show! Thanks Tom!