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!
