These are the reports of rambles in 2024

December walk.

Jan
Having chosen Moretonhampstead for the walk as shelter is available which is what seemed necessary 10 days ago when I looked at the forecast it turned out to be very cold but with sun and clear blue skies all day.
Wonderful. 17 of us started the 8 mile walk (meant to be 7.5...) from the church, up to Butterdon Down for the coffee stop. There is a delightful spot in the woods there with lovely views. I was concerned we would not have the sun but as we were facing south we did. After that we headed towards Cranbrooke Castle (hill fort) for lunch. There was a short stretch of very icy road that we had to negotiate but all made it safely.
On the top of Cranbrooke with its lovely 360 degree views we found shelter from the cold NE wind under the ramparts and enjoyed the amazing warmth of the sun. Once again we negotiated a short stretch of
lethal icy road but everyone made it safely, thank goodness! Well done all!! I then had a debate with myself whether to return another way with no icy roads and miss Mardon Down or risk the roads and turn back if necessary.
We had no more problems except that in order to reach Mardon Down you do have 1.5 miles of lane walking which I found very tiring. There is a short but steep hill up to the stone circle on Mardon Down which is so lovely with its 360 degree views and then a beautiful view down to Moretonhampstead. We were in a bit of a rush to return within the 5 hour parking slot but we made it.
Barbara was clever and bought an all day ticket for £1-00 extra so her carload was able to stop for
tea at the Baskerville tea rooms. I hope that helped you all recover from the very steep walk

Feb
Six of us set out uphill in cold but sunny weather past the water works and on to the moors to try out the walking poles at the Six Maidens stone circle. Unfortunately it did not work this time but the poles were not a pair. I reckon that was the reason...It really has worked for me in the past. Then off downhill to the ford for coffee, admiring the beautiful East Okement en route with sun sparkling on the foam.
The gorse is in full bloom too so looked lovely. After our stop we did a short detour to view the waterfall which is impressive now because of the huge amount of rain we have had in Feb. The one and only benefit of the dire weather this month. From there up to Halstock farm where there was a beautiful lamb (just one) with its black face and black knee socks looking so sweet. The sheep had special teddy bear faces.
From there to Cullever steps where we made the decision to shorten the walk to 6 miles due to the forecast and ominous black skies in the north. Just as we started off the hail started so we delayed lunch till we reached the stone hut by the river by which time the rain had stopped. Made it back to the church cafe just before 2:00PM for tea and delicious cakes. Altogether a lovely walk of 6.35 miles in spite of getting a bit wet.

April
14 of us set off uphill from Fingle Bridge in bright sun, blue skies and no wind which held for the rest of the rather long and strenuous walk.
We haven't had weather like that for about 3 months! Also the ground was dry apart from a few sections in the Deer park which were actually as boggy as I have ever seen them. The walk turned into 8 miles rather than 6.5 with lots of uphill because I misjudged the distance back down along the Deerstalkers path to the river. There is no track marked on the map so I guessed the distance incorrectly. I am very sorry about this and glad that everyone made it back in one piece but perhaps a bit stiff today.
Coffee in sunshine at the Salmon Leap was lovely. We then walked on along the bottom of the Deer park to a hamlet called Parford- uphill- but lovely views en route. After crossing a few fields we went up a
short but steep narrow path, bashing the brambles on the way with my walking pole. At the top is a lovely field for having lunch with stones to rest our weary backs against and an amazing view of the moors.
However, there is now an electric fence on the footpath boundary so we had to sit on the hillside with no rocks to lean against but it was quite comfortable - and sunny! We were all reluctant to move. From there we did a loop back - uphill again - before going down to the Deer park.
Of course it is up again from there to the top of the Deer park but the view from there is worth it, I think. The bluebells are only just showing but later there should be an amazing display. From there was the long trek through the woods on the Deerstalker Path which was very nice among the deciduous trees but the track back along the south side of the river was the killer. We were all thinking, "When will we be there?"
Finally we were so glad to see the beautiful and most welcome stone bridge and Inn where most of us had a well deserved cream tea sitting in the sun beside the river.

May
Seventeen of us had a lovely walk of 7.4 miles yesterday in beautiful weather starting from Manaton. We climbed up to Hayne down, strangely named as the very large granite outcrops are abundant so why not a Tor?
Then over to Hound Tor for our coffee break. There are lovely views from both places. We had a quick peek at the Medieval settlement and then from Greator Rocks we walked through the most stunning display of dark indigo bluebells covering the ground across Holwell Lawn, the surrounding moorland and down to Becca brook. I think we all agreed we have never seen bluebells looking so stunning.
To top it off there were cuckoos cuckooing in all directions. So nice to hear them as they are a
bit scarce these days. We walked through Emsworthy Mire to Becca Brook, a delightful spot where we had lunch. After lunch we went back up through the wonderful bluebells which smelled gorgeous as well to
Greator rocks and down to the bridge crossing Becka brook. This whole walk is delightful but really enhanced this time by the bluebells. Welcome to Mike bond and Jenny hole and hope they join us again. Anyone with good photos of the bluebells please send them although it is
difficult to capture their beauty.

June
Hello , last Thursday 20th June , a group of 13 Mooramblers set off to one of the ‘extremities ‘ of Devon. We took full advantage of a glorious day, off visit Morthoe on the North Devon Coast. A longer journey timethan usual, but the opportunity to spend time on the coastline, after leaving the sophistication and genteel lands of Mid Devon and passing thru’ the badlands of North Devon……..( they are not that bad at all…..I live there. We parked up in the beautiful village itself, with good amenities, including two pubs ! …ice cream shop, cafe and post office. Morthoe’s history is like something out of a Daphne Du Maurier novel, with notorious smugglers and wreckers based there! We set off from the village car park, and getting our first real wondrous view of the sea. From there we proceeded along the path, to head out to Morte Point, at the end of a short peninsula.
We took the opportunity to have a coffee stop and ‘drink in ‘ the coastal panoramic view, and the vista across to Lundy island. We then set off, travelling East along the South West coastal path, where we glimpsed at some distance, some grey seals basking on the rocks, which produced quite a stir. David also spotted a fulmar, riding the thermals alongside the cliffs.

The terrain, was undulating, s you expect on the South West coastline, dotted with small rivers and streams, but heading east, meant we benefitted from the more gradual ascents………but enough of a gradient, to ensure we had a good appetite for lunch. Our next destination was the Bull Point lighthouse, a working lighthouse, which is accompanied by holiday lets in some of the old Lighthouse buildings. We took our lunch at the top of a cliff just
above the lighthouse, and chatted and munched away against this Classic Devon coastal backdrop. Once refreshed we continued our journey to Lee Bay and Village. We remarked on the gorgeous aqua marine colours of the crystal clear sea …..inviting us to have a swim! …...( perhaps next time ).
On the way to Lee Village, there was the option to take an old smugglers path along the sea shore (accessible only at low tide). The group split into the guys staying on the path, and the rest going down the steep wooden stairs, down to the cove, before accessing the ‘hidden’ entrance to the smugglers path. We were at low tide, hence the rocky path was relatively easily negotiated. We entered the village from the beach and along some old slipways, which went up to the sea wall. Here we rejoined the other group, to marvel at the lovely setting.

We were now , three quarters thru’ the walk, …but as forewarned we had a relatively steep ascent to get back onto the farmland, at the top of the cliffs. We walked up thru’ a very old unkempt Victorian walkway, stopping at regular intervals. Unbeknownst to us, we then did have to traverse, some very overgrown paths, walking thru’ ferns which would not have been out of place in a pre-historic world.
Finally after correcting one wrong turn, we re-entered Mortehoe village, where we all enjoyed a very well deserved ice cream. We were blessed with great weather ….clear skies which complemented the scenery perfectly .

July
There were 19 of us setting off on the 7.5 mile walk in wonderful sunny weather gently uphill past several well preserved hut circles to Hookney Tor from where there are splendid views and also a great view of Grimspound down below where we had our coffee stop.
The enclosure has perhaps ten small dwellings from the bronze age which is so interesting. There were also lots of ponies with their sweet, pretty foals sharing the enclosure. From there we headed back to Headland Warren Farm, so named because of the many rabbit warrens, a source of food for the miners, and on to Challacombe, the small medieval hamlet and farm which has been maintained and is still a working farm.
The plan was to stopfor lunch beyond the farm at the Golden Dagger Mine where there is the remains of Dinah's house as well which was a bunkhouse and pub for the miners. It was too hot though as no shade and no wind so we walked on along the surprisingly wet path to Vitifer tin mine where we could find
shade if needed. It is a lovely spot with stream, remains of stone buildings and TREES. We shared the space with an unidentified small animal which kept popping in and out of its burrow to inspect us. After
lunch it was back to Shapley Tor passing another stone enclosure en route also occupied by ponies and their foals. What is it about the enclosures that attracts the ponies, I wonder? From there is was
downhill with its wonderful view back to the cars and, hallelujah, an ice cream van and more ponies and foals.

August
Otterton and Ladram Bay Thursday 15 August 2024. An intrepid group of 9 walkers set off from Otterton in overcast conditions and tracked down the west side of the River Otter to the nature reserve. We crossed the river and made the gentle climb to reach our coffee stop with great views over Budleigh Salterton.
We then followed the South West coastal footpath to Ladram Bay, with the weather gradually lifting . By the time we reached our lunch stop at the bay, the emergence of the sun encouraged some of the group to venture into the sea and although the water was warm, the combination of a pebbly beach and strong undercurrents of the waves as they broke on the shore, made entrance and exit a difficult procedure. So most, sensibly, just settled for an ice cream! There was evidence of coastal erosion in the remains of a sizeable cliff fall on the beach and a path detour as we made our steep climb out of the bay. It was then a matter of zigzagging across country before rejoining the River Otter further upstream and following that back to our start point. After what was a very enjoyable 8 mile walk the group retired to Otterton Mill for some much needed refreshments.

Christow walk – 19 September 2024

After cancelling this walk earlier in the year due to bad weather, fifteen walkers set out from the car park in Christow on a beautiful warm, sunny day. The 7 mile walk climbed steadily alongside a trickling stream, through dappled woodland to Bowden Farm where a convenient log provided seats for our coffee stop. The path then levelled off and crossed grassy fields and tracks to provide good views, including that of Hay Tor on Dartmoor. We reached Tottiford reservoir where we crossed the dam separating Trenchford and Tottiford reservoirs and walked along the length of the western side of Tottiford with a stop for lunch. We got brief views over Kennick reservoir from its southern end and continued past Clampitt House. An innocuous gravel track claimed two victims as two of the group fell and sustained (fortunately) only minor injuries. After being patched up, we continued the walk back to Bowden Farm where we retraced our steps for a short distance and then took the bridlepath down to Cleave house, through the narrow roads of picturesque Christow and soon back to the car park.  The sun shone all day but the woods and reservoir paths provided welcome shade.Welcome to Bridget and Barbara who were first timers on the walk and hope they enjoyed it.

October Walk Belstone

December walk

Due to an unfavourable forecast of strong and cold winds from the NW and some rain 20 of us set off from Fingle Bridge rather than Belstone which would have been totally exposed to the weather for our "Christmas" walk. After our steep uphill warm up we went along Hunters' path which was nicely sheltered down to the Salmon leap for our coffee break. We did not see any salmon but the bubbling water is lovely to watch anyway. Then we walked along the river(in rain) on to the deer park via Dogmarsh bridge. At the top of the hill our progress was difficult because of deep mud so we stopped in a nice bit of sheltered woodland with grassy banks and mossy logs to perch on for our mulled wine, mince pies and caroles led by Hazel and Laura with others joining in. It was very jolly. Thank you to Colin and Cathie who carried the wine and to Gillian, Karen, Brian, Linda, Barbara and David who provided mince pies. Very much appreciated by everyone.The walk was 6.55 miles so we felt we had earned our tea in the Inn at Fngle Bridge which is always cosy with their woodburner burning.
Happy Christmas to everyone and see you in 2025.