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Devon – Mini-METHS on Dartmoor – May 9th – 13th

Participants: Mike Macklin (leader); Gillian and Tony Adams, Kay Black, Stewart Halliday and Jane Smith (guest), Jenny and Nigel Horrocks, Miriam Horrocks, Judy and Mick Ireson, Esther Ratsma, Rupert and Sally Roschnik, Antonia and Peter Tolhurst, Charlotte Walford (guest), George and Val Wallace, Janet and Lloyd Woods (=21)

Day 1 (Tuesday, May 10th) Circuit from Shortacombe via Great Nodden Tor, Great Links Tor, ArmsTor and Brat Tor

Having enjoyed our Meet-Up and Get-Together in the Garden Terrace of the Queen’s Head, Tavistock on the evening of Mon. 09 May where Sally was her usual efficient self, organising the menu options for Tue. 10 May at Taylor’s Restaurant, we embarked upon the Mini-METHS.

The first day involved four Tors but not before a game of Musical Cars to avoid the attention of the traffic wardens which continued throughout the Mini-METHS. The breakfast venue was, for some, Duke’s in Tavistock Market where provisions were purchased for the day’s adventures prior to the drive to The Fox & Hounds Hotel & Restaurant in Shortacombe to start our Four Tors walk.

Lots of chatter and reminiscing ensued as we passed through Nodden Gate on our way to Great Nodden (437m) with 20 participants (Michael Macklin (Leader), George Wallace, Sally & Rupert Roschnik, Stewart Halliday, Jane Smith, Antonia & Peter Tolhurst, Jenny & Nigel Horrocks, Miriam Horrocks, Janet & Lloyd Woods, Kay Black, Charlotte Walford, Gillian & Tony Adams, Judy & Mick Ireson, Esther Ratsma and the Woods’ dog, Mistral, enjoying the mild weather.

The gradient was steady before reaching the summit and rewarded by some wonderful views over Dartmoor before dropping down and circumnavigating Great Links Tor to the ruins of Bleak House which was home to the site manager of Rattlebrook Peat Works, an ideal stop for some sustenance. Most people had enjoyed what we, all, thought was the luncheon stop only to be told (after the event!) by our Leader that luncheon was to be taken at our next stop!!!

At the beginning of the ascent to Great Links Tor (586m), the group split and some took the ‘low road’ back to the starting point whilst the majority continued to the summit and the ‘real’ lunch spot.

As the banter continued at the summit, some bright spark was heard asking the question why, in the distance, the red flags were flying to which our Leader replied that he had checked the web site regarding Okehampton Range Danger Area being used as a firing range that day. Allegedly, it was not but the sound of the gatling gun in the valley portrayed a different story. We drew straws as to who would, first, venture forward flying the white flag. Thank you, M.o.D.

Arms Tor (457m) was our next port of call before meandering over to our fourth Tor of the day, Brat Tor (452m) and the Widgery Cross, the tallest Cross on Dartmoor and erected to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887.

From the Cross, it was an easy descent to Nodden Gate, its portaloo, and our starting point.

We, all, decided to enjoy some refreshments at The Fox & Hounds but not before seeking the walkers from the ‘low road’. Upon assessing the routes taken, it was established that the ‘low road’ group had, actually, walked a couple of kilometres more than the ‘high road’ group.

The day was complete with an excellent dinner at Taylor’s Restaurant where we were seated in our own dining room and Sally guiding the serving staff to the right people with their choices of cuisine.

(Stewart)

Day 2 (Wednesday, May 11th) Circuit from Two Bridges: West Dart and Devonport Leat.

15 participants: Mike, Rupert and Sally, Nigel and Jenny, Peter and Antonia, Stewart and Jayne, Miriam, Kay, Charlotte, Esther, Mick and Judy

Weather forecasters convinced us that rain was approaching for our second day (Wed) so a lower level walk was planned. Rain duly fell as 15 walkers assembled at the Two Bridges car park.

Two bridges cross the Cowrie and West Dart rivers close to their confluence and the car park is close to Crockern Tor where the Stannery Parliament and Court date back to 1494. Tin miners’ ‘special’ rules were decided there!

One walker (Mick), perhaps fine tuning his weather gear, did not see the group leave. A group of 14 set off north along a trail to the east of the West Dart river.

The misplaced walker looked at several trail heads and chose what turned out to be the correct trail but saw no sign of the group and then took a slightly higher route and was blown pleasantly along in the rain over Littsford Tors. Mick then dropped down towards the river and weir and was pleased to see some of the group approaching along the lower trail.

The main group had walked along a path near the river and stopped by Wistmans’s Wood which has many ancient oak trees, quite small, twisted and covered in spongy moss with lichen hanging like hairs from the branches. The trees gave some shelter from the rain while Nigel, Stewart and Esther went considerately in search of Mick.

Four of the group decided to return to the car park. The continuing group, the search party and Mick were all re-united at an interesting and pretty weir beneath Beardown Tors.

Wind and rain continued as the group climbed Beardown Tors at 511m which provided enough shelter for some to refresh and we all descended back to the weir. A leat had been engineered at this point in the river for water management. We followed a rocky somewhat slippery but very helpful narrow path alongside the leat for a bit more than a mile to a pine wood.

The vibrant green moss amongst the tall pines was quite enchanting – and plenty of gnarled growth to stumble on. Our return to Two Bridges along the southern bank of Cowrie river provided a lovely end in dry, almost sunny weather. Those that decided to look in at the many artefacts in the Victorian style hotel were tempted to sample their cream teas.

Some would say that the Moor has to be seen in all weathers

.(Mick & Judy).

Day 3 (Thursday 12th)

This had been planned as a long walk of some 14 km for the Wednesday but was put off because of the rain on that day. Fortunately, the heaters in the Queen's Head bathrooms had allowed us to dry out yesterday's sodden clothes and shoes.

We were joined by Nigel Rendle, a friend of George, who lives near Tavistock and knows the area well and gave us interesting information as needed. Four ladies, Jenny, Kay, Val and Sally, did their own thing today, visited Calstock just across the Tamar river in Cornwall, and the nearby National Trust site Cotehele House and Gardens.

We met outside the church in Peter Tavy, then followed Mike up a narrow lane to a small parking area in what used to be a small quarry. The weather was mainly cloudy, but allowed one or two glimpses of the sun. and quite windy once we were on top of the moors.

At first, a gentle path led us to White Tor, 468 m, and from here down over strange undulating grass tufts to a Bronze Age menhir or Standing Stone, greatly admired by all. Seeing a stone on top, and also a couple of footholds on one edge, which made it climbable, Rupert decided to add another, smaller stone to make a small cairn. OK, but one foot slipped on the way down, for a grassy landing. No damage!

We continued on to another Bronze Age relic, a Stone Circle, some 15 metres in diameter. The circle was clearly visible, but had been reconstructed according to a note on the OS map, i.e. some stones had been put back into an upright position. A long, flattish walk took us past some wild ponies to Roos Tor, 454 m, followed by Great Staple Tor, 455 m, where we found a picnic area sheltered from the wind. Then an easy way down past Middle Staple Tor, 431 m, to the main Princetown-Tavistock road where we quickly found the promised ice cream van! Welcome sustenance enjoyed by most of the party!

We slogged back all the way to Tavistock, past our 10th peak of the whole meet, Feather Tor, 313 m, then mainly on roads, through the Golf Club and down to the bridge over the Tavy river. This stretch was a bit longer than Mike expected (he had previously broken off his reconnaissance), so the total distance was just under 16 km. Transport was easily arranged to take the drivers back to the parking place above Peter Tavy.

Later, the complete group returned to this same village, for a "closing dinner" at the Peter Tavy Inn, where we were joined by Nigel Rendle's wife Julie. More excellent food and wine, on three separate but close tables, good bye and thank you to Mike for an excellent meet (he had to leave early the next morning), but no singing.

(Rupert)

Concluding comments

How great to meet up again with our METHS friends! It's always fun and good to have lots of chat.

Most of us stayed at the Queen's Head Hotel right in the middle of Tavistock, with pubs, breakfast places, beautiful church, pannier market, a wonderful bakery and a bookshop oh so close.

Mike Macklin did a great job planning and organising walks over the moors and finding different places for the evening meals. We really enjoyed discovering different restaurants and village pubs, each with their own food and atmosphere. The first evening (Monday 10th) we ate in our hotel, the second evening in Taylors Bistro just round the corner. Wednesday was at the Mary Tavy Inn and Thursday at the Peter Tavy Inn. All provided excellent food. Just in case you are wondering whether Peter and Mary were brother and sister – no! – Tavy is the name of the river and St. Mary's and St. Peter's the names of the churches in the respective villages that are some 2 km apart.

We are most grateful to Mike for introducing us to the lanes, moors and ice cream of Devon, and for giving us the opportunity for another very happy and friendly METHS get-together!

(Sally)