Dartmoor 365

The weather has been so wet, with rain and snow, that Dartmoor is sodden and we thought we had best walk on defined paths.  We parked just outside Hexworthy and walked down the road that led to Swincombe Reservoir.  The path was fine but we could not venture off the path as the ground was so wet and marshy. As we walked down we missed the entrance to Gobbett Mine, although we saw it on the way back.  We could also see the ruins of mine buildings, but we did not see the various stones as it was too wet to go exploring off the path. We walked on to the bridge the led to John Bishop's house.  We were able to follow a path to the bridge but the other side was to boggy to be able to get close to ruins.  Referring to "An hours stroll on Dartmoor" by John Hayward we learnt that this bridge is called Fairy Bridge. There was so much water in the river that we could not see the ford or stepping stone. On our way back we walked up the bridleway to Doll...

We parked the car just outside Samford Spiney at the top of the lane that led down to Ward Bridge.  It was quite a steep hill down to the river.  We could see the bridge in the distance, with the arch and tunnels.  But when we got to it there were padlocks on the gates that led to the meadows beside the river so we were not able to see the bridge close up.  This was a pity as it looked a pretty spot and there was a seat overlooking the river that looked very welcoming. View from Ward Bridge up the river The tunnel at the side of the bridge can just be seen through the trees. We climbed back the hill and walked on to the village of Samford Spiney.  There were men working on the church tower, abseiling up and down the side.  The stream running through the village green was full and we did not see any chilckens but ducks and horses. The bird bath near the church porch. From Samford Spiney we drove to Mary Tavy for ...

We were unable to find a place in the car park in Moretonhampstead so was limited to half an hour parking on the road.  This was not enough time to find the items JH mentions in his book, but we did wander round the village and see some interesting things. There was a sparrowhawk sculpture on the end of one building and a number of other birds on another building.  A sculpture of two horses also decorated the village. We will definitely have to return to this town to explore it further. But for today we drove on to North Bovey.  En route we stopped at crossroads to photograph Bovey Cross. North Bovey had a very pretty village green with lots of crocuses, daffodils and snowdrops.  Trees on the green had plaques says what they were planted to commemorate eg Queen Victoria's jubilee. On the way home we stopped at the Watching Place to photograph the cross in the hedge.

We were very impressed with Chagford.  It is a village with lots of lovely, interesting shops. The hardware shop is still there and as JH says it is a real Alladin's cave, selling everything.  The museum was still there upstairs but looked a bit neglected.

It had just stopped raining when we arrived at Dogmarsh Bridge, but although we kept dry the ground was very wet, particularly where we had to cross fields.  The river was in flood and rushing fast.  Any stepping stones were covered.  There were a number of spring flowers out beside the river and it was a very pretty walk. Leat under building at Rushford Mill Troughs in front of Rushford Mill Dogmarsh Bridge