Tuesday 24th January 2023 Dartmoor

Back to Dartmoor to lead a walk with my old friends. It was coincidence that it was 5 years to the day since we left Devon. A glorious morning it was too.  A hard frost and bright sunshine. 13 of us on the walk and nearly a full house. This is one of my favourite areas of Dartmoor.  Starting just below Pew Tor our route took us past Feather Tor and Windy Post and up to Cox Tor. Down to the dewpond for a coffee stop then over Great Staple Tor to the Merrivale quarry. Finally returning past Heckwood Tor and Pew Tor.

At the start with Pew Tor just visible

Windy Post

Along the leat

The steep bit up to Cox Tor

Fine view across to Bodmin Moor

Cox Tor, Roos Tor and Great Staple Tor

At the trig point on Cox Tor

The dewpond was iced over but just beginning to thaw

The old quarry at Merrivale

Vixen Tor

Coming through the boggy bit

Sunday 15th January 2023 - Bredon Hill

My turn to lead a walk with the Cleeve Ramblers over Bredon Hill. A perfect day for walking - cool but with lots of sunshine. From Ashton-under-Hill taking an easier way up to Banbury Tower and then returning on the Wychavon Way. About 9.5 miles with 1000 feet of ascent.

The old phone box in Grafton complete with a defibrillator and library 

Fallow deer on the way up and they didn't run away - more than I have seen in one place

A great place to admire the view

Looking down on Great Comberton and the flooded River Avon

Eckington below with the Malvern Hills in the distance

Banbury Tower

Lots of people about in the sunshine

Coming down with Dumbleton Hill in the distance

St Barbara's Church Ashton-under-Hill

Tuesday 10th January 2023 - North Cerney on a wet day

A very wet walk from North Cerney. So wet  and slippery under foot too after all the rain we have had. We followed the River Churn down to Baunton returning through Bagendon. Nearly 8 miles with 500 feet of ascent

Off into the rain

The footpath goes through this field - our leader was keen for us to go this way but no one else was! Fortunately there was a plan B

Baunton with the flooded field next to the river

Into an area known as Forty Acre Copse with these very unusual rotating metal gates.

Over there! Bruno pointing out some ancient history.

St Margaret's Church, Bagendon

The donkeys came across, I think they thought we might have some food

A tree which has grown into itself to form a natural sculpture

Wednesday 4th January 2023 - Bredon Hill

A solo walk over Bredon Hill and recce for a ramblers walk in a couple of weeks.  About 9.5 miles with 1000 feet of ascent.

A grey dull morning so some mono  images to reflect that.

Sundial Farm

Banbury Tower

Some crepuscular rays as the sun started to break through.

Tuesday 27th January 2022 - Winchcombe

A 7 mile walk with the group from Winchcombe. Following the Windrush Way from Winchcombe past Waterhatch to the Salt Way. Along the road for a short distance and back on the Wardens Way. Bright at first but duller later. Very wet under foot although we were on firmer surface for most of the walk. My first walk after covid and a big mistake - no energy made it hard work!

Into the sunlight

Looking back at Waterhatch

Very much zoomed in shot of Sudely Castle - Bredon Hill in the background and appears much closer due to the zoom.

Another zoomed in shot of Winchcombe