Saturday 20 January 2024

Horn's Cross and Coombestone Tor

 After a spell of sub-zero weather, the day of our walk was much more in line with what we would expect for a moorland day in January; cold, windy and threatening rain.

So 13 of us arrived at Venford Reservoir car park, raring to go!

The planned route was amended slightly as I hadn't had time to recce the part of the route that was new to me, and it looked decidedly gorsey!  Now bracken and heather can be weathered through, but gorse forms an impenatrable barrier - so wisdom won the day!

There was plenty to see, and the threatened rain held off, so all was well and a lovely day was had by all, plus two dogs.















Saturday 23 December 2023

Oke Tor Walk

Nine of us arrived at Belstone village for a lovely winters walk up the Taw valley to Oke Tor and back via the Nine Stones (Maidens) Circle - one for each of us!

The weather was good to us, although up on the ridge a chilly wind had us hunkering down amongst the rocks of Oke Tor to eat our lunch before following the path down the west side of Belstone Tor to visit the 'Maidens'.  

We took refuge in the hostelry in Belstone (planned) and amidst a crowded clientele managed to secure a cuppa to finish off our lovely walk in as ever such good company.

Another wonder of creation manifested itself to us (our God is so creative!) when we espied not only rainbows, but also a fogbow!  Apparently a fogbow forms because the water droplets are much smaller that raindrops - about 0.1 mm in size, which has the effect of scattering the diffused light in a wider spread, and thus loosing the colours of a rainbow.  See pictures.

Thanks Alan for your lovely photos.










 

Monday 20 November 2023

Bellever Tor Circumnavigation

Well, with torrential rain forecast a number of the walkers on the list pulled out, who can blame them!  But Nadine and Jen turned up at Holming Beam for our walk out to Beardown Man Standing Stone.  Now to be honest, I had arrived early and sat in the car watching the already thick mist thicken by the minute.  this would give us not only a soggy walk but one devoid of any views whatsoever; although it would have been good nav practice.

But it's always good to have a plan B, and I was intending at some time to recce a section of a route around Believer Tor for the Wheeled Access Group (WAGS) who go out every second Tuesday.

So once Nadine and Jen arrived, we did a quick flit to Dunnabridge Pound and had a very pleasant walk, with no rain(!), that offered some stunning Autumn colours, and also a memorial to a Royal Marine.

Isn't nature wonderful; and isn't the Creator of nature wonderful!






 

Monday 16 October 2023

Black Tor and Piper's Hill from Shipley Bridge

 After torrential rain on the Friday, Saturday turned out fair with a promise of sun and a chilly wind.  Of course, Dartmoor provided a few showers for us, but nothing to dampen the appetite for sampling God's wonderful creation!

Seven of us set off from Shipley Bridge with an initial steep ascent through the china clay drying pans from yesteryear, and up onto the open moorland.  My daughter Hannah skilfully navigated us to Black Tor with its magnificent views over the Avon Valley curling its way up the Avon Dam.

We contoured round to the Rider's Rings bronze age settlement, and then through Ryder's Rocks to ford the stream and descend Zeal Gully.  Now, have you spotted the spelling anomaly?  The OS 25,000 map gives the spelling of Rider's Rings with an 'i', whereas Ryder's Rocks is spelled with a 'y'! 

Under the shadow of the dam we lunched and parted company with two of our group who descended along the road back to the car park.  The remainder climbed to to the reservoir which after traversing it, we headed on a compass bearing towards Hickaton Hill settlement.  This took us straight across some difficult terrain, which wasn't appreciated!

Once we reached the dizzy heights of Puper's Hill, it was an easy gravity assisted walk all the way back.

A lovely day with great company - thanks folks, & and thanks for the photos Alan!










Sunday 24 September 2023

Piles Hill from Shipley Bridge

 Well, a late summer stroll couldn't ask for better weather, and it was great to see Kerry and Richard again.  So the three of us set off up Diamond lane but veered to the top of a little-visited tor - can't remember the name and it's not named on the OS map!

Through the dying broken to cross the Three Barrows Reeve and we continued to the major track which forms part of the Two Moors Way.  We followed this track passing Piles Hill and Glasscombe Ball until we reached the crossroads near Spurrell's Cross.  Descending the hill we found a lovely spot for lunch, with far-reaching views to South Brent and beyond.

Finding our way through the gorse we contoured north to Glasscombe Corner, over West and East Glaze Brooks and up to Ball Gate.  An easy descent took us back to the road and the car park.

A lovely 7-8 mile walk with great company, perfect walking weather, and of course, the beauty of creation to wow us!




Thursday 7 September 2023

Seeing the Sights - A Hefty Stroll

 As part of the Dartmoor Walking Festival 2023, the contribution from Mustard Seed Walks was a hefty 15 mile stroll from Haytor Visitors Centre to see all the 'tourist' sights in the area.

The day provided drizzle, mist and a spot of sunshine - good Dartmoor walking weather.  And of the 10 showing interest, 6 turned up to complete this delightful walk in great company and totally soaked in the beauty of God's creation!

Thanks Alan for the pictures that will appear here.








Thursday 13 July 2023

Stepping Stones Walk - 13th July 2023





 Five of us set out from Dunnabridge Pound car park, throwing a chuckle at Laughter Tor and we walked past heading for the foresty Laughter Hole Farm. We oooed and aared at the very magnificent Laughter Hole House before traversing our first of four sets of stepping stones.  A pair of wet boots placated the river and the other three sets offered no resistance. 

What a lovely day - even the rain didn’t dampen spirits!