I always have mixed feelings about the clocks going back. I love the hope and optimism that spring seems to bring, summer is for camping and being outdoors, and I love the residual warmth and colours of early autumn. The clocks going back represents the end of most of those things and a desire to … Continue reading Honeybag Tor
Family Walks
Hartland Tor
Rainbow over Hartland Tor Hartland Tor is one that has a distinct appeal for those lucky few of us who work with young people on the moor. For most, it's a fairly insignificant place; a small pile of rocks in a smallish font on the map, not quite on a bridlepath and only a couple … Continue reading Hartland Tor
Black Tor
I feel quite lucky that I grew up walking on Dartmoor from quite an early age. I took part in Ten Tors, I camp there regularly, I’m into walking and ancient remains and good beer. If you’re a holidaymaker, a kayaker or teetotal, then you’ll have a different experience to me and so Dartmoor will … Continue reading Black Tor
Rippon Tor
A combination of summer camping trips and post-holiday quarantining meant that we had an unexpected hiatus from Dartmoor. Last weekend we finally made it back, for the short walk up Rippon Tor. Rippon Tor seen from the path near Hemsworthy Gate. Rippon Tor is just a kilometre or so up the road from Haytor but, … Continue reading Rippon Tor
Wicken Fen
The ongoing travel restrictions have left us, like many people, looking for alternative plans for the school holidays. We couldn’t hop over the Channel with our trusty bell tent this year, but instead have taken the opportunity to visit a few old haunts and relatives around the country whom we haven’t seen for a while. … Continue reading Wicken Fen
Wistman’s Wood
Photos from Wistmans Wood, 24th October 2019 “Fairy-like, self-involved, rich in secrets … such inturned peace, such profound harmlessness, otherness, such unusing … all words miss, I know I cannot describe it.”John Fowles, 'The Tree'. This section is quoted from the final chapter, which was written about Wistmans Wood. Wistmans Wood seen from lower down … Continue reading Wistman’s Wood
Sharp Tor and Yar Tor
Photos from Sharp Tor and Yar Tor The Sharp Tor Tree is one of my favourite trees. As long as I've been to Dartmoor it's been there, clinging on improbably to a saddle among the clitter in the middle of the tor, where the soil and roots must be just deep enough to hold it … Continue reading Sharp Tor and Yar Tor
Avon Dam
Photos from the Avon Dam It had been a long time since I had been to the Avon Dam; so long, actually, that I couldn't quite convince myself that I had ever actually been there at all. I have rarely worked on the south moor with groups and most of my solo adventures would start … Continue reading Avon Dam
Bellever Tor
Photos from Bellever Tor Bellever Tor is one of my favourite tors on Dartmoor. This is a bit odd, because if I was making a list of requirements for a perfect tor, it doesn't meet any of them. It isn't remote, and in fact can be climbed in less than half an hour from either … Continue reading Bellever Tor