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.

 

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!

 

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!

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!

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.

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! 

Great Mis Tor Circular Walk - 27th May 2023

 May Bank Holiday Saturday, and a stunningly sunny day, so a small select group of seven ventured out on a delightful and leisurely walk from Four Winds car park.  After a brief visit to Little Mis Tor, we all clambered up onto Great Mis Tor in search of the 'frying pan' which as the pictures lay claim to, we found.  After crossing the River Waltham at Dead Lake, the peace of the day enforced a lunch brake - where feet were dipped!  As the hear increased, our walk back past Roos Tor and Great Staple Tor became a challenge, albeit a pleasant one.  After braving the road across Merrivale Bridge, we escape the cars and viewed the stone rows before our return to the car park.  A lovely 7.5 mile trek in great company and through God's wonderful creation!

Ridges and Valleys Walk - 15th April 2023

 Spring has come and it's a day for walk on God's wonderful earth!  Seventeen of us set out from the delightful village of Belstone and ascended Belstone Tor, where an Irishman's Wall attempted to halt us before we strode along the scenic ridge to Oke Tor - a good spot for lunch!  From here, Nick and Sammy departed for their epic two day jaunt, while us mere mortals took track and military roads around to East Mill Tor, where a second lunch stop was called for.  There is was a tromp north. visiting a swimming spot on the East Okemont River, and a dance with the Nine Maidens Stones before our 9.5 mile walk came to an end.  Great day, great company, and stunning views.