Tuesday 27th February 2024 - High Down Dartmoor

From High Down.  Good to be back with the old gang. Out over Doe Tor and then up to Great Links Tor.

High Down

Of course with Raz leading today there was the compulsory river crossing! Not much fun!!

Doe Tor with the red flag and firing on the nearby range

Great Links Tor in the distance

From Great Links with Fur Tor visible in the far distance

Back down over Arms Tor

Monday 26th February - Belstone. Dartmoor

Back to Dartmoor and a drive of just 2.5 hours from home to Belstone for a late afternoon walk in the sunshine. Out to Oke Tor and returning over Belstone Tor. 6 miles and 754 ascent.

Through Belstone

Past the Nine Stones

Past Winter Tor

Steeperton Tor in the distance

Belstone Tor

Tuesday 20th February 2024 - Andoversford

 

Starting today in Andoversford and following the reverse route for the Coln 3 river trail. Gloomy at first but much brighter later. Our route took us through the old Point to Point track at the Sandywell Park Showground, through Foxcote and down to Withington. Finally back through Shipstone Solers. Just under 8 miles with 600 feet ascent. Lots of rain recently so very wet under foot in places. Great to get some sunshine in the second half of the walk.

Initially very wet under foot.

A lovely bank of snowdrops in Foxcote

Looking back at Foxcote

Past the farm for the racing trainer Kim Bailey. We stopped for coffee beside the gallops track.

Upcote Farm

 

Into the village of Withington.

St Michael and All Angels church Withington.

The footpath runs alongside the cemetry with several low bridges

Over the River Coln

A flooded field

Up the steep bit through the woods

The ford at Shipton Solers

Andoversford below

Intermittent rain for our walk today. Seven of us starting from Winchcombe. Initially following the Wardens Way to Roel Gate. Down to Guiting Wood and then returning on the Winchcombe Way (but with a diversion near the end). Very, very muddy again under foot. 11miles with 1100 feet of ascent.

Leaving Winchcombe

Near Waterhatch

Looking back to Winchcombe through the rain

Guiting Wood

Lynes Barn Farm

A place for lunch in the rain.

Little Farmcote

Across the valley to Farmcote