A trip to Dartmoor

Despite being threatened with the tail-end of a hurricane the morning was quite bright even if a little windy. We treated ourselves to bacon sandwiches and, as we would not want lunch (!) we decided to go up on the Moor. A banana  for me and an apple for Mike was thrown in a carrier bag with a bottle of water.

We drove through Newton Abbot to Bovey Tracey and then up to Haytor. Lots of people in the car park and several climbing up the Tor. We used to do it regularly with the dogs and discovered a large pond just behind the Tor where Brandy loved to swim. There is also the remains of an old railway line which carried the granite down to the river Teign to be put on ships and carried far, far away.

As I cannot walk up hills anymore we drove on but stopped in a lay-by to view the view.

Looking back towards the coast there were blue skies with fluffy cotton wool clouds and despite the wind it was quite warm.

Looking North – East even less cloud and the promise of a lovely afternoon.

Perhaps not, clouds were getting bigger and darker to the North. There appeared to be caravans and other vehicles parked on the ridge in the distance. Sadly, too far to identify.

Some more beautiful skies.

We drove on to Widecombe In The Moor, very famous and attracts loads of visitors but nothing much there. A larger than average Church, a couple of pubs and a large village green.( This is not my photo).

 

Of course there is Widecombe Fair this coming Tuesday - £10 to park a car in a field. Small price to pay I suppose to see –:

Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney Peter Day, Daniel Whiddon, Harry Hawk Old uncle Tom Cobley and all………………

We drove past the pub in the village and took a left turn onto a narrow lane and ended up at The Rugglrstone Inn. One of the prettiest inns I have ever seen.

http://www.rugglestoneinn.co.uk/

It really is that pretty and a very good menu too.

Chickens and geese roam around free and some of the chickens are very unusual.

You may remember we were not going to eat lunch. Umm, we ordered two halves of shandy and just needed a little something to soak it up.

A hot pork  bap with stuffing and apple sauce called out to us and it seemed rude to refuse.

It was fabulous; the pork , slow roasted, melted in the mouth, The sage and onion stuffing was delicious and the bap was toasted. a very nice touch. Real Ales are served too which pleases Mike and his friend Barry. They love to sample different ones.

Dinner will be delayed by at least two hours.

We then decided to cross the Moor to Badgers Holt  and intended to walk beside the river.

There is a very large car park and recent additions of many small animals. However, I headed straight to the river where it tumbles at quite a speed over the stones and boulders creating it’s own tune.

 

 

See how clear the water is despite the fact it is coloured brown. Harmless as far as I know.

Signs of Autumn already showing in the yellowing leaves on the trees on the opposite bank.

 

Also along the bank were several clumps of bamboo – 15 to 20 feet high. A relatively new addition to the English flora. Moe like an invader I’m afraid.

As we walked up the valley there were numerous animal pens containing goats, pot belly pigs, geese, turkeys, rabbits and several different types of chickens.

Really does not go with the surroundings but I suppose some see it as an attraction to families.

I took a few photos but as there was netting etc. over the pens they don’t look too good. Best left out I think.

 

These are the animal you come to see on the moor – ponies.

This one was very tame and he enjoyed Mike’s apple

As the weather closed in we headed for home

Past the newly grown heather and gorse

Stopping every few minutes to allow other cars through

Slowly descending down from the Moor to the lush tree lined roads below

And home for dinner.

JJ