Carrying out our morning chores around the caravan we can see it is clear upon Dartmoor, so it makes sense to take a walk on the moor hoping to see some of the views obscured by fog a few days ago.
We need to go shopping later so instead of walking from the site we drive to the car park on the edge of the moor, at the top of the lane running alongside the Dartmoor Inn. From here we follow the path towards Brat Tor, with the wall on our left.
After crossing the footbridge over the River Lyd we turn left, away from Brat Tor, taking the path besides the route of the river. The path is clear enough to follow though there is the odd boggy section as you would expect on the moor but nothing too challenging.
As we walk along Lynnie comments on the absence of rabbits on the moor. Most places we see burrows and often rabbits hopping about, but we have not encountered any here. I put forward the theory that the notorious Big Cats that are sighted on the moor from time to time are probably eating them. I am a firm believer in the presence of Puma’s in our countryside and am convinced I have seen one on several occasions. However, Lynnie is sceptical of my sightings and pooh-poohs my theory, but fails to come up with a sensible alternative.
I therefore suggest if not Big Cats then killer sheep. Have you ever noticed that if you look at sheep they always avert their gaze; this to my mind is a sure sign of guilt. They also run away when approached for questioning and if further evidence were required they are often seen lurking around rabbit holes. I rest my case!
After a mile or so we cross a burbling stream.
From here we continue to follow the course of the River Lyd and gradually climb to join the stone track we were on a couple of days ago. Last time visibility was about seventy yards today we get stunning views.
Turning right we follow the track towards Great Links Tor.
As the path reaches the brow of the hill we take a path on the right that heads to Great Links Tor, it does not look far, but in the very boggy conditions it takes us a while to negotiate a route without getting stuck.
We are grateful for the protection that Great Links Tor provides from the biting wind. It is a lazy wind, it would rather go through you than round you. Mind you we are 1,922 feet up!
We potter around the rocks for a while enjoying the scenery, it is a cracking spot and we are completely alone, not another person in sight across the moor.
We leave Great Links Tor in a southwesterly direction following the well-worn path across the moor to Brat Tor.
At Brat Tor Lynnie decides to clamber up to stand besides the Widgery Cross. We are 1,482 feet above sea level here and the wind is gusting around. I have images of Lynnie doing a Mary Poppins and drifting into the distance, fortunately she does not have her umbrella with her!
From Brat Tor we take the path leading steeply downhill to reach the footbridge and stepping-stones across the River Lyd. Buoyed after her climb to Widgery Cross Lynnie decides to take on the stepping-stones and confidently strides across, stopping on the way to pose for a photograph.
From here it a short wander back to the car park. It has been a short walk by our standards, close to six miles, but the combination of boggy conditions, strong winds and a couple of good climbs has made it seem further. This is a cracking bit of countryside; I think we will be returning before long.
17th March 2017
[To follow our walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Explorer Map OL28 – Dartmoor.]
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2017)