Ten Tors 2012

Last weekend was the occasion of the annual Ten Tors challenge. We had a 35 mile team and a 45 mile team from the Dartmouth Youth Services, together with a 35 mile team from the Dartmouth Sea Cadets. Julia was the leader of the Sea Cadet team and did a great job. The weekend saw glorious sunshine with a cold north wind, ideal walking weather. The teams all completed the challenge, crossing the finish line in traditional style by 'dressing up'! Roll on the 2013 Ten Tors challenge!

Spring in the Lakes

Having had a glorious week in the Lake District 2 years hence, we booked a house near Derwent Water, this time to take the entire family. The weather forecast did't bode well, but the reality was pretty good; the only rain of note falling at night. The house: Skelgill Farm, nestled under the shadow of Catbells and was superb for climbing straight up on to the fells, The views were stupendous! The photos show Lynn and I at the top of Dale Head - a stiff climb, and Barrow - a not so stiff climb! The family photo is in the front garden of Skelgill House.

A talk on a mad voyage

Last year a friend called Martin sold a 24ft Cornish Crabber sailing yacht on ebay and delivered it to its new owner - in St Petersburg! This year, to help raise money for one of his daughters to go and do some charity work in Africa, Martin decided to give a talk on this mad voyage So, what else to do but to motor to Dittisham aboard Lucy M and make a night of it. We also took the opportunity to bend on the sails.

55 years old

Tuesday this week was my celebration of all the 5s, 55!

Dartmoor with the guys!

Goodness me, I seem to be spending all my spare time walking on Dartmoor at present. Last Saturday was the 'monthly' planned walk of the guys from church, and again Chris, Colin, Lee (and Sparky) and Lee's friend Rhodes all squeezed into my van for the winding drive up to Postbridge on the Moors. We had a great day for the walk, up the valley towards Sittaford Tor, passing the 'Beehive Hut' en route (see piccy), then up to the restored Grey Wethers stone circles, quite impressive, before leaving the paths and walking up to visit Sittaford, Lower White and Higher White Tors, with a pleasant stop by a waterfall on the East Dart River for lunch.

Foxy business!

There were foxy goings-on last Saturday. The occasion was the first training camp for the Ten Tors group from Dartmouth, camping near Gutter Tor after a days walking. A delighted walkster let us know they had spotted a fox whilst getting water from a stream, the same fox that shone its eyes at me a little later. Also the same fox that stole a hydration bladder, sinking its teeth in it and ruining it. A phone call at 11.30pm informed a sleepy me that the fox was prowling at=round the tents. "Don't worry, they won't do you any harm, they'll be afraid of you," was my sleepy reply. Morning revealed many guy ropes chewed through, two tents and at least one rucksack bitten into, and numerous items of food pilfered! Lovely little thing!

With Lynn on Dartmoor in Feb

A rare day indeed, with nothing in the diary save 'walk with Lynn', so off we went. The warm and dry, if overcast weather in Dartmouth translated into overcast with showers and a cool wind up at Princetown on the moors. Cool wind was laughed at as we donned our Buffalo Mountain Shirts {Google them!) and set off to conquer Hart Tor, before following the mighty Devonport Leat, with a short detour to visit Crazy Well Pool, until we finally arrived at the ancient Nun's Cross. A fine walk of over 10km was rewarded with cheesy chips and tea for two at the Fox Tor cafe, all for less than a fiver!