It’s been another ‘mizzle’ day today, so there was no point in heading to the moors for a walk. Instead, we walked around Venford Reservoir, which, being largely in the woods, we avoided most of the rain.

After a bit of a drive over the moors, we came back to the cottage, left the car behind, and walked to the pub.

A pleasant place, though a bit like going back to the seventies with food such as ‘Sausage and Chips in a basket’…
But dog friendly, and a pub cat, and decent drinks (including ‘scrumpy from the back’).

After a lengthy lunch, we staggered home by a different route. The mizzle had eased a bit, and it’s quite warm.
It had amused me that the road to the cottage, which was all of 7’1″ wide, had double yellow lines painted on the lower sections..

(the photo is of one of the wider bits!)

We also passed the owners duck pond

And back for a cup of tea…

Strange weather today, not really raining, but not dry either..
A local called it ‘mizzle’ which is a good description!
Rather than get wet on the moors, we followed the River Dart upstream through Holne Woods. All damp and dripping, but nice nevertheless.

We passed Horseshoe Falls, which were quite dramatic (possibly helped by the rain yesterday)

As we climbed up, the path got narrower, and we eventually reached the end of the path at Sharrahs Pool.

After a short break, it was time to walk back to the pub for lunch!

After a good lunch, we visited the village church, did a multi – geocache in the local churchyard, then walked back to the car and home.

Rain was forecast all day today, so we went to see some friends in Paignton. We went to a local pub for lunch, then a stroll around Totnes, stayed for dinner and drove back in the misty darkness (which was interesting…).

No photos today!

Good weather was forecast today, so we decided to do (for us anyway) a long walk from the cottage.
After consultation with the cottage owners (who do a lot of walking in the area) we decided on a route including Dr Blackall’s Drive, part of the Two Moors long distance path.

We stopped to look at Luesdon church – amazing large considering how few houses are nearby, but great views and nice inside.

The next bit involved quite a bit of road walking, but it was a quiet road with great views, so we didn’t mind too much. Barney didn’t like it though as he had to be on the lead…

But before long, we were up on the moors, which are so nice in the sunshine, particularly with the yellow gorse and purple heather both in flower.

Then we got to the drive, which must have been a drovers road in the past. (Correction: This drive was made by Dr Blackhall for his carriage, see //www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/blackalls_drive.htm)

Good views over the River Dart valley.

Then lunch and a snooze:

After lunch, we headed down to the River Dart, heaving with families picnicking and playing in the water.

We continued on to a quieter spot (no car parking nearby) and had a paddle ourselves.

Then it was just a climb through the woods back to the cottage and a cup of tea!

We went to a nearby pub for lunch – not advertised as dog friendly, but they let us into a nice corner! Excellent food and beer. Barney was his usual self – sleeping on the floor and being very good.
After a lengthy lunch, we headed back onto the moors, initially following a tramway.

I’ve not seen one quite this complete…

Then more nice paths and geocaches, with a few cows, sheep and ponies.

Finally we got to Haytor Rocks and found where everyone else was!

Then a quick stroll down to the car, an ice cream, then home.

After a bit of shopping, we drove up to the Haytor area. Very much on the tourist trail, but nice nevertheless.
We had a stroll over Saddle Tor in the morning, collecting a few geocaches along the way. Nice to have dry paths, an almost cloudless sky, and virtually no wind – not the Dartmoor I remember at all.

Barney and I explored the local river upstream this morning. A bit of a push through damp bracken and tiny paths in places, but well worth it.

We had arranged to meet some relatives here; a lovely place but no dogs allowed…

This mornings ‘proper’ walk was in Hembury Woods – a nearby National Trust woodland.
Well maintained paths and easy walking!

The woods also have the remains of a hill fort

Which provided a change from woods.

Then lunch in the woods and a beer by the river at Buckfast.

Barney and I explored in the other direction from the cottage this morning.
We followed a lovely path through the woods down to the river.

It was a bit steep in places but worth it

The path then widened out and followed the river to Buckland Bridge

This is where the River Webburn joins the River Dart.

A lovely spot, made even better by the total absence of people or cars!