Rambles 2018
In January nine of us had a very nice 6 mile walk from Chagford swimming pool up to Nattadon Common, Thorn and back. I decided against Shapley Common because of 30mph winds forecast. The weather was much better than predicted. We had lunch on a hillside in full sunshine, most us removing jackets. After that we stopped to take photos of a splendid double rainbow, so wonderfully bright, with the beautiful winter trees in the foreground smothered in their sage green lichen. Obviously we had a shower but only the one! Thanks to Tom and Abi for the photos.
In February Tom led 9 of us on a splendid 7 mile walk from North Bovey to Foxsworthy Bridge (always a favourite), on to Manaton and back via Easdon Tor, where there is a most spectacular 360 degree view of Dartmoor. The weather was fabulous as were the snowdrops and Tom, with his extensive knowledge of Dartmoor and the surrounding geography, was able to point out everything on the horizon from tors to towers to Sidmouth Gap and so on. Altogether it was a lovely day so thanks to Tom Davies.
For March I was torn between wet underfoot (Manaton) or wet above (Sourton) which is quite exposed. As 6 walkers "did not mind" and one walker preferred Sourton, having never been there, that was where we walked and a good decision it was. The weather was kind for most of the walk and the ground provided easy walking.
Seven of us started from the village hall/church car park, admiring the lovely daffs, crocuses and primroses in the churchyard before heading up to Sourton Tor to shelter from the wind for our coffee. The visibility was so sharp that we had good views of Bodmin Moor, Exmoor, Brentor, Meldon Reservoir and all the emerald fields below. After that we stopped for a slightly early lunch by the River Lyd which was bubbling along so beautifully and provided a good view of the majestic Great Links Tor.
We then headed down to the King's Wall and on to the Granite Way. That was where we were caught by the rain but, as the wind was behind us and we had shelter, it was not too bad. It cleared by the time we walked back onto the Moor to venture back to the cars. Altogether it was a lovely day's walking, 6.5 miles total.
In April Tom led 12 of us on a splendid 7.5 mile walk from Bridford down to Kennick and Tottiford Reservoirs. Tom enlightened us about the past mining industry (Barium Sulphate) in Bridford, started in 1847 and closed in 1958. There is a seam that runs from Bridford where it is quite shallow to Hennock where it is deeper. Tom is always a "mine" of information.
We had stupendous weather and the walking was scenic and mostly dry, apart from the route back where we had to tackle a path mostly used by cows. We also had to balance along a bank to avoid deep water on a farm track - a good test of everyone's balancing skills. We were able to wash our boots in Rookery Brook before reaching the cars. Thanks to Tom for the photos.
The May walk was led by Tom from Burrator Reservoir incorporating bluebells, an ice cream van and other wonders.
On a hot and sunny morning in June, 7 of us met at Fingle Bridge for a 6 mile walk. We started off by climbing the steep hill to Cranbrook Castle, an Iron Age Fort. We were more than ready for a coffee break there, sitting on the edge of the ramparts overlooking Hay Tor. Feeling refreshed, we then walked around the perimeter, admiring the 360 degrees view which included Chagford, Crediton, and Cadbury Castle.
We retraced our steps to the main path and then soon turned left along a track which took us high up above the River Teign, eventually dropping down through the woods to the bridge near the Castle Drogo hydro-electric station. After that, we climbed again to the promontory known as Hunters Tor, where we managed to find rocks to sit on for our lunch - some opting for the full sun and
others sitting in the shade. From there it was a straightforward path back to Fingle Bridge.
We were pleased to have had a shady walk, mostly beneath trees, as the temperature rose to about 22C that day. Thanks to Jenny Lee for leading the walk.
On Friday 20th July, in glorious weather, nine of us went to the north coast for our seaside walk instead of our usual monthly moorland ramble. We parked the cars on Northam Burrows Country Park at the Skern salt marsh and, after coffee enjoying the views of Appledore and the Taw/Torridge Estuary, headed on to the beach. As the tide was still some way out, we were able to walk along around Greysand Beach before crossing the sand dunes, on to the SW Coast Path and the Visitor Centre at Sandymere.
The Burrows is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and UNESCO Biosphere. The Centre houses a fascinating exhibition about the rare flora and fauna as well as local history.
From here we set off towards Westward Ho! on the inland side of the famous Pebble Ridge because, by now, the tide had completely covered the beach. After Hockings ice cream cones (delicious!) in the village we walked along the promenade and up to The Field, where we stopped for lunch, overlooking the fabulous Bideford Bay, Lundy Island and the Psycho House! Six hardy individuals climbed Kipling Tor to have a better view from the Lookout on the top and then joined the others on the Coast Path heading towards Cornborough and Abbotsham. This is a delightful path, formerly a failed railway line, that is flat and overlooks the glorious rocky coast teeming with seabirds and views to Clovelly and Hartland.
At the junction with a footpath to go inland for the way back, a unanimous vote decided that we would just turn around and return along the coast path instead. With the tide now racing out, the view was completely different with lots more to see including two hunting kestrels.
Back at Westward Ho!, four of the group raced off to have a refreshing swim in the Sea Pool whilst the others had a nice cup of tea. We then walked back across the Burrows along a salt stream known as the Pill and back to the cars. It was now nearly 6.00pm and we had walked 9.1 miles in total - very satisfying indeed. It was a lovely day and a lovely
change for this intrepid group of U3A walkers.
Thanks to Heather Kenefick
In August there were just 4 of us to enjoy an 8 mile walk from west of Dunstone Down (which is above Widecombe) to Corndon Tor, Dartmeet and the East Dart, Badger's Holt and back. The weather was good for walking in spite of a chilly breeze to begin with but we were shedding clothes before too long (should you be called the Naked Mooramblers? - Ed)
The views on the walk were stunning, particularly as the moors were smothered in fluorescent yellow gorse intermingled with heather. We had lunch by the river sparkling in the sunshine. Also out and about were Highland cattle and calves, Belted Galloway with calves, Dartmoor ponies and foals and no other humans, apart from near Dartmeet where they were picnicking for the most part. All in all, we had an excellent day.
In September eight of us had a blustery, but dry 7.3 mile walk from Bennet's Cross. The forecast was changeable and so the moor was beautifully lit at times with a real feel of autumn in the air. We followed old mine workings on part of the Two Moors Way to the remote Soussons Farm and then along the lovely valley up to Challacombe medieval Farm and Headland Warren Farm.
For some reason we voted to wait for our lunch stop later on at Grimspound rather than in the
sheltered valley! Up there the wind was pretty ferocious and cold so we hunkered down inside a hut circle for our well-earned picnic. Not grim at all, as the photos show, but we didn't hang around!!
We walked into the gales for the rest of the time - up over the dramatic Hookney Tor, re-joining the Two Moors Way around Birch Tor and back up to Bennet's Cross. The walk certainly cleared away any cobwebs!!
On Friday 19th October, after a fairly late start due to obstruction by a recycling lorry who was not helpful to the cars stuck behind, we had a most beautiful day for the circular walk from Manaton. After a climb up to Hayne Down (going up the Down!) we stopped there for coffee because of the lovely view and Tom took the photo of us climbing up with the mist in the valley below.
We then went on to Natsworthy and took a cross-country route up to Honeybag Tor where we had lunch with another stunning view in beautiful and hot sunshine. I had hoped to follow the paths up to the top of the tor
made by the ponies but they obviously had avoided the long bracken this summer!
We went on to the medieval settlement near Hound Tor where we encountered a large group of foreign students who were learning about the geology of granite. We scurried along to get ahead of them, crossed Becka Brook and back to Manaton.
Somehow my dividers had let me down and instead of 7.5 miles the walk was 8.5 miles! Next time I had best use a bit of string! My husband says "What is wrong with the computer!?". Far too modern, I say!
In November twelve of us departed Okehampton Station to walk along the East Okement in the direction of Belstone. Sadly, Tom who was leading the walk retired hurt so I took over. We did have to scramble to negotiate some partially-flooded rocks but all made it safely and we felt we deserved our drink, sitting on rocks in a beautiful spot beside the river. The trees were beautiful and the waterfalls impressive.
After that we walked on to Scarey Tor for lunch where we managed to shelter from the cold wind. Again the view was lovely but my GPS closed down at that stage without my knowing. I assume it could not locate the satellites! My plan to carry on to Winter Tor, which was not visible because of fog, was abandoned. It did not seem sensible to test my compass skills in the fog with 10 walkers relying on me. Walking in thick fog is disorienting and quite scary.
Cullever Steps next, then Halstock Farm, beyond which we headed east and followed Moor Brook, which is ever so pretty, down the hill to retrace our steps along the East Okement. The walk was about 6.75 miles according to my piece of string!
So thank you, Tom, for proposing that lovely walk which was especially nice this time of year with stunning leaves on the trees and on the ground, and for the printed maps. We were all so very sorry that you had to retire.
On December 21st 9 of us had 6.3 mile windy walk led by Tom, including a new fellow, Mike, who was most welcome. Tom and I were hoping for some shelter from the very strong WSW wind by walking below Belstone Tor along the Taw valley. That worked out but we then battled our way up to Oke Tor, sometimes being blown sideways! There we had perfect shelter and a lovely view back along the valley to enjoy our mulled wine, carefully provided by Tom in 4 flasks wrapped in bubble wrap, and mince pies provided by me, with carols sung by a few lady choristers!
We then walked down towards the army track where we successfully forded a small lake and were pleased to find we were sheltered again because we were under the Tors to the west. We headed north along the track and found more wind at the top but shelter for lunch on the hillside just above Black-a-Vent brook (see Tom's photo) which was "in spate" I should say and very pretty. After that we headed back to the cars via Scarey Tor and arrived just as the rain set in. Altogether a good day out.