Rambles 2020
2020
October
We set off having tried to estimate walking time for a 7.5 mile walk to determine how much to pay for parking. Most of us paid for all day with coins which are difficult to come by during these strange times but we did get back in just under 5 hours which would have been a bit cheaper. We decided on peace of mind.
The weather was pretty much perfect for walking. We set off through the churchyard and up through beech and oak woods with mossy stone banks either side of the path to Butterdon Down where we had our drink stop with lovely views of Haytor, Easdon Tor etc. On to Cranbrook Castle,an iron age hill fort with spectacular 360 degree views of the Teign valley and the high moors as well as Castle Drogo which looks more subtle now with its white coverings removed. It was too early for lunch so we walked on to Willingstone rock where we sat on the hillside above it for lunch. In the woods opposite is an interesting independent forest school called "Running Deer" (Ofsted inspected) which caters for kids with special needs. There are 6 small attractive wooden pods (recently built)serving as class rooms and offices. We were interested that this is actually a school sitting unobtrusively in the woods on Dartmoor looking more like a small Outward Bound centre. From there we went on to Mardon Down - stopping at the Cairn Circle for a drink - and through the giant's graveyard and down the wonderful footpath with its lovely views back to Moretonhampstead. It was a lovely day out with good company.
Kathy Richardson
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Meanwhile, the other group - after taking in the dramatic ruins of Okehampton Castle - crossed the sparkling East Okement River & set off through the riverside woodland to join the Two Castles Way (Okehampton to Launceston). We crossed the deserted golf course - obviously too early for golfers. We took a coffee break in the lovely sunshine at the Meldon Quarry lake before pressing on through the village of Meldon. We enjoyed the glorious views before lunch, and then we skirted round Sourton Tors, down to cross the West Okement River at Vellake Corner. We followed the path around the reservoir to Meldon Viaduct where we joined the Granite Way back towards Okehampton, briefly joining the Two Castles Way again, and back down to the castle car park.
Checking on Jo & Annie's fitbits we found we had walked a massive 10 miles!!! Do hope there aren't too many aching muscles.
PS.The car park is free.
Carolyn
September18
Again the group had to split in two in accordance with current Covid regulations. Six of us had a lovely 7 mile walk in fine weather starting from below Cosdon Hill. Up and across Throwleigh Common we trekked with views back to Shilley Pool which is at the bottom of a wonderful natural water slide. Anyone who hasn't should try it sometime, or perhaps their grandchildren! Shilstone Tor was our coffee break with lovely views of the moors. The tor is like a miniature amphitheatre with plenty of comfortable seating.
Refreshed, off we went through the picturesque hamlet of Shilstone. The farmhouse is picture postcard perfection. Ducks and geese paddled in the pond and the stream running through the property and hens with every variety of beautiful feathering foraged about. From there we walked on to Gidleigh, inspected that lovely church and rectory and then along the ancient Deave Lane to Throwleigh where the churchyard was our lunch spot, with us resting in the sunshine against the tombstones. The church itself was open for the village postal service! A few footpaths later and we were back, much to the relief of a few I feel!
Kathy Richardson
The second group of six set off in glorious sunshine and strong wind on the Belstone walk that we had planned to do the month before. We headed up towards the Steeperton Gorge and back along the top to Oke Tor where we huddled among the rocks out of the wind to eat our lunch. Then we followed the track across the top and back down towards Belstone Common where lots of cattle had just had calves. The mothers had their beady eyes on us so we kept our distance! Another highlight was seeing a baby grass snake cross the path in front of us. Further on we stopped at the Nine Maidens stone circle and practised our dowsing skills, using Tom’s walking poles, with extraordinary success! Hazel twigs are so outdated!! The afternoon was then completed with another delicious tea and cake stop on the sunny village green in Belstone. We had walked 6.2 miles and refreshments were required!
Heather
August 21st
The walkers had split into two groups of 6, but alas the Shilstone Tor walk had to be abandoned in the face of gale warnings. The other group - led by Heather - did walk from Belstone.
Report from Heather Kennefick:
We had planned to go to Belstone and up round the Tors but on the day there were extreme gales and some rain forecast. There were 4 of us who braved the predictions but we agreed to avoid the weather as much as possible. From the village we dropped down the Great Green, then over the Taw and skirted round the lower slopes of Cosdon Hill above Skaigh Warren and down the track to Ford Farm opposite the road in to South Zeal. We then walked along the pavements of Sticklepath and into the covid-closed Finch Foundry for a coffee stop at their tables. It then started to rain so we took our selves into the lovely thatched Tom ----- Pearse hut and coffee turned into our lunch break! Once the shower had cleared we joined the steep, rocky path along the Taw up to Belstone Cleeve and back up to the Green of Belstone. As we came out of the woods another shower began but for the lucky four the Methodist Tea Rooms were open for the afternoon! It was full so for social distancing reasons the lovely Marion opened up the church and we had our tea in there with a pew each! The lemon drizzle cake was a grand finale to a really great walk in surprisingly nice weather. Blessed are the brave!
Stepping out again at last!
----- It was with much excitement that the Mooramblers group started up again on Friday, 17th July. In order to keep the driving to a minimum and maintain the "6" person guideline we split into two groups of 6, one group led by me from Steps Bridge and one by Heather from Nymet Roland.
The weather was nearly perfect, dare I say even a bit hot. I told the group we had one steep climb, not too long, and then a gentle climb through Bridford Wood to Lowton Farm where it would level off. It was pointed out to me that my assessment was not quite correct! Lovely views from Lower Lowton where we sat on a bank for coffee and also walking down Birch Down. Then west along the track to Heltor Rock for lunch and more splendid views. Finally down from Lower Heltor-more views!!-and back through Bridford Wood which is lovely with oaks and beech.
----- The other 6 members of the Mooramblers walking group went on a more local walk to cut down on numbers and ease car parking. We met at Nymet Rowland and went over to Coldridge and then through the lovely river valley down towards Brushford. We took a short detour along the Tarka Trail to see if we could cross the river Taw but couldn't find a suitable crossing so we turned around and joined the path up to Wood Farm. The 'mammary' tree wasn't looking as interesting as it does in winter but luckily the wheat had just been cut and the fields were filled with different works of art otherwise known as stooks! We had a very hot lunch break in a beautiful spot surrounded by stooks and many photographs were taken. After our
stop we took the path along the edge of Great Wood in welcome shade around to Hackmans Hays and Park Bridge. We then took the path through Lower Park skirting the edge of Coldridge and back up to Nymet Rowland. It was a lovely walk of around 6 and a half miles although Annie's Fitbit said it was over 7 so who knows!!
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It was such an inspiration to out and about again that one walker, Carolyn Scott, commemorated her walk with this beautiful painting. Altogether it was great to be out walking with friends again.