Grumpy with the disappointment of our moving day being delayed again, Emily and I decided to walk off our Thanksgiving food babies on Dartmoor. Not giving the trip much thought, as we assumed we would be doing car journeys filled with crap back and forth all day, we headed to the Janner favourite: Burrator Reservoir. Which is no bad thing; considering it is my preference to visit quieter spots, Emily had never actually been up Sheeps Tor – which is definitely a must!
Wild paths en route
What better way to celebrate turning 30 during lockdown than with a hike? I’m so glad this time around we have use of our local National Park, so Emily and I took the time between our other birthday plans to go and visit somewhere that promised 2 waterfalls and a Tor. Quite the punch for a small area and a very special walk! Parking on the B road between Yelverton and Princetown we found our spot and headed out.
Mystery winter funghi
After driving blind through thick sheets of fog on Saturday and settling for a walk on Roborough Down, Emily and I headed back out to Dartmoor this Sunday just gone for a full stretch of our legs. Parking at Postbridge, with much better weather, we started our hike taking the trail up the hill and through Bellever forest.
Moss covered woodland
With October rains fast approaching and the last weekend spent driving up and down the motorway in preparation for a house move, Emily and I were keen to make the most of this past weekend’s beautiful weather. Fancying another stretch of the coastal path we rose early to be out to Mothecombe in the crisp morning air shortly after the sun rose. It was cold but glorious, and we had the place almost to ourselves for 20 minutes before setting off along the cliffs to Bigbury-on-Sea.
An empty Mothecombe – as beautiful and as cold and crisp as it looks!
If you follow what Emily and I you will know that Dartmoor is one of our most regular haunts. So when old university friends Simon and Maisie mentioned coming down to visit for an overnight wild camp, we were thrilled. I was tasked with sharing some Dartmoor highlights during an afternoon walk, as neither of them have seen or done much hiking in the National Park. So we drove to Venford where we shared one of our favourite walks that covers the brook, waterfall, Bench Tor and ridge line before circling around the reservoir.
Back again
Continue reading “Wild Camping: Dartmoor – 12/09/2020 to 13/09/2020”
An early morning start saw Emily and I heading to Dartmoor before the bank holiday crowds. Taking the car through the smallest of country lanes to get to Gutter Tor car park we were thrilled (and a little relieved) to be out on such a clear and crisp morning with miles of moorland more or less to ourselves.
Gutter Tor
Doing something totally different is always fun and doing it with friends is even better. So, when offered a day out in Cornwall wandering around fields aimlessly, Emily and I jumped at the chance! We teamed up with friends Martyn and Steph to tackle the Cornish Maize Maze. A great day out, and an annual event that changes each year. This year we wandered around a pirate themed puzzle searching for Blackbeard’s Treasure.
Pre getting lost…
Continue reading “Get Lost: The Cornish Maize Maze – 22/08/2020”
This 7.1 mile stretch of the coastal path is filled with unbelievably gorgeous views into secluded beach coves, boats and small yachts sailing out on the shining seas, and winding steps up and down the coast… so many steps. This was easily the most strenuous section of the coastal path we have done so far. Still, 100% worth it and making a holiday weekend out of two sections of the coastal path has been the absolute best experience with memories made to last a lifetime.
Goodbye Fowey! Hope we meet again someday
Continue reading “Climb your heart out: Polruan to Polperro – 09/08/2020”
An early morning train ride into Cornwall is always something to look forward to as it usually means Emily and I are on a mission. This weekend was no different. Par to Polperro via an overnight stay at Fowey. Disembarking at Par we made a beeline for Par sands and the coastal path; only stopping to pick up some free fresh produce for our journey. Armed with overnight bags we set off, making the most of the sunshine and tramping through sand onto weaving cliffs as we made good time to Polkerris.
The sand was glistening at Par
Continue reading “Parfect Cornwall: Par to Fowey – 08/08/2020”
Saturday afternoon Liam and I went out for a fabulous socially distanced lunch out with his family, where we had some delicious lasagne at Bonnie’s Brunch. A newly opened family run cafe in Plymouth we have all given two thumbs up to. We got back home and decided that even though the promised heat wave wasn’t quite as strong as anticipated, the weather was still far too nice to pass up! We packed up our bags and headed up to Venford Reservoir on Dartmoor, somewhere we had visited earlier this year with Liam’s parents (link). This time however, Liam had something new and exciting in store for me. I couldn’t wait!
The days adventure begins!