Lustleigh walk

I was asked to help with my friends walk for the Ramblers which started on the edge of Dartmoor. Last time we had done a trial run was back in October and we had got hopelessly lost near the return leg of the journey. Based on the idea that two heads are better than one we hoped this time we would remember the way back and get it right.
Dartmoor is a very distinct and special place where high rainfall and dense woodlands make for a lush mossy environment. Having crossed a stream we headed up through the scattered boulders and entered the open moorland. Around us on the distant hills were the clear features of Hound Tor and Haytor lit up in the morning light. After a while the moor changed from random scattered bolders to Gorse bushes as we weaved our way down off the moor to a remote farmhouse. Entering an Oakwood I saw a male spotted flycatcher in a high tree watching over his territory.
The woodland and the lanes take on a abundant quality in late April with Primroses, Blubells and early Purple orchids in flower. We managed to get back to the village without getting lost this time! A quiet feeling of success came over us as we headed to the pub

Dartmoor adventure

Yesterday I had the chance to get some walking training in on Dartmoor. So on a bright spring day with a cool easterly wind blowing  we set out for Haytor. On the gradual climb up to Haytor we passed through beautiful woods and eventually joined the granite railway that was originally horse drawn and constructed in 1722. This follows a route through the woodlands and eventually reaches an old granite quarry below Haytor. Lakes have formed over the years in the holes formed from the granite extraction. We had our lunch here and it was good to shelter from the cool nor easterly wind. The moor is wonderful and wild with a remote feeling a place of space and freedom.  Soon we gradually left the moor and entered a large wood where Blubells and Wood Sorrel were coming into bloom. I love spring and the promise it brings of new life and freshness.
We  returned to the car park where we had started and I reflected on the privilege and joy of walking in Britain.

A great spring day

The clear warm morning promised a hot spring day as I set out from Sidmouth and joined a group of walkers wending their way up the coastal path. I passed them through the stepped woodland path and headed inland for the shade of the trees. Orange Tipped butterflies cruised the hedgerows looking for interesting flowers. The sea was calm and shiny and the air was still apart from the buzz of insects.

Lunch was at the Old Bakery at Branscombe and then I headed to the beach again before the hard climb up to the cliffs before descending again to Beer. On the sheltered  path that weaves  its way up through the cliffs the heat of the afternoon was most apparent . I was glad to reach the top and feel the sea breeze. It's only a few weeks now before I set out on my 150 mile walk from Windermere to Glasgow so not many training days left!

Training on the Dorset coastal path

Today I headed out with fellow Ramblers to get in some walking miles before I start back on the Big Walk again in 5 weeks time. Our starting point this morning was Abbotsbury right next to the ancient Swannery. Although bright the weather was cold with a sharp northerly breeze. Heading out of the village and into the hills we soon came across Iron Age earthworks and a series of early burial mounds.

We stopped by a metal beacon that was erected to celebrate 400 years after the Spanish Amarda. A series of wonderful footpaths took us through an ancient woodland full of primroses and an old memorial chapel. Crossing field we saw lots of new born lambs prancing under the protective gaze of their mums. On our way back to Abbotsbury we climbed to the old ruin of St Catherine's chapel and then descended to the Swannery car park again just before the rain started. A great days walk and I head for Dartmoor in two days time on Good Friday.