20th March

An earlier start today, with pasties packed for lunch!  Starting from Shipley Bridge [U14], north towards the Reservoir, but scrambling up Black Tor (326m) first.  Then finding our way to Ryder's Rocks (393m), dodging the marshier bits of ground.

We then headed for two Barrows.  They're not tors, so don't count towards my Tor total, but were worth what was quite a tough walk underfoot.  Although the ground was not really soggy, the choice was between walking on tufts of grass with gullies in between, or paths which still thought they were boggy streams. As we approached Eastern White Barrow, Jonathan said it looked like a submarine, and sitting atop we laughed to find it is indeed nicknamed 'The Submarine'.

More tough ground brought us to Western White Barrow and Petre's Cross [S12], which apparently sits upside down!  The two barrows sit at approx. 472m and 477m so were our highest points for the day.

From here it was mostly down hill, over more rough ground.  Eventually we picked up a bit of the Two Moors Way, and found our way to the River Avon.  The Reservoir then came into view, and the path got gradually easier, and our pace quickened.  We did see a few others out walking - all being careful to keep our distance.  On the way back, we took note of Brentmoor House [T14], which you can see the shape of below.
Having missed it on the way up, we also found Hunters' Stone on the last bit of road, which bears the names of past Masters or the Dartmoor Foxhounds!  Over 8 miles walked.

The car park was much busier when we returned to Shipley Bridge, and we did wonder for how much longer we'd be able to enjoy our Dartmoor walks.  Dartmoor may be big, but it's hard to visit without starting at a car park or village, and we certainly can't get there on foot!  So we won't be back to continue my tor challenge for a while.  For now, I'm using an exercise bike to keep fit, and Jonathan is jogging.  The weeks will pass, but to scale 35 Tors in 80 days is not bad going, and we'll continue later in the year.

12th March

A longer hike this Friday fuelled by a good Sainsbury's breakfast.  It would be our last meal out together for a while.  We drove into Princetown in a hailstorm, which thankfully then blew over!  Startint from a small parking area north west of Princetown, we headed along the Yellowmeade Farm track.  The first 'Tor' was more notable for the lake, which is what is left to show for quarrying at this site - Foggintor (415m).



We then skirted around Swell Tor, and saw the Swell Tor Quarry Workings [N6].

From the Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway track, we branched off to climb Leeden Tor (389m) and along to Ingra Tor (339m).  Back along the track, passing under a bridge [Princetown Railway O6].  Although it obviously crosses the track, there is no discernable path either side - so it's hard to know quite why it is there!



Continuing around Swell Tor, we then left the track to climb Kings Tor (pictured, 400m), then returning to the farm track at Foggintor.  Nearly 6.5 miles walked, and as we drove back through Princetown, the hail returned!

6th March

We had a break from walking on Dartmoor, with a trip to Prague during the half term break.  Suffice to say, we walked between five and seven miles each day we were there!  The weather was wet when we returned, so it was March before we were out on the moor again.

We set off knowing rain was on the way, so well togged up!  From Two Bridges this time, towards Wistman's Wood, but heading east a little way up the track, to climb Crockern Tor (409m) [M10].  Then on along the ridge via  Littaford Tors (466m), and with rain blowing sideways into our faces, Little Longaford Tor (472m) and Longaford Tor (507m).  It did stop raining, but was still blowy, as you can see from this short clip!  We could see the Powder Mills from the top of Longaford [L10]


Thanks to the rain and wind, I was not up to carrying on to Higher White Tor, so we headed back into the valley, along the edge of Wistman's Wood [L9] and back along the track to Two Bridges. 4.3 miles total walked.