Moving down to the South West has been a great move, but it’s not the first time I have lived down here. We lived just outside of Plymouth until I was 10 when I moved away. Part of the reason I love the outdoors as much as I do is the fact that when we lived there, my parents always took us to Dartmoor walking. Having such a beautiful wilderness on our doorstep really influenced my love of all things wild and this Easter saw us head down to Dartmoor for the first time in nearly 25 years.
Walking over the tors and moors really brought back memories, the chuckle of water in the many streams, the call of grouse and the feeling of space and wilderness you get in so very few areas of Britain these days. Ifor in particular loved it, we had him walking as much as possible as there were no hills to fall down, it really is a great place for kids.
We did two walks, the first was over Brich tor, through the standing stones and back up over Hambledown tor. The standing stones in particular were incredibly atmospheric and go back to the Bronze age. On the Sunday, we headed down to Badgers Holt and went straight up Yar Tor, Down to Sherwell, back through clapper bridge and over the stepping stones (hairy with a kid on your back) before heading back for a well deserved cuppa. The clouds threatened but didn’t deliver leaving us with a cool and calm walk, and the whole weekend awakened a love affair with Dartmoor again.
We’ll be back.
Tags: Dartmoor · Gareth · WalkingView Comments
