Excuse the drops on a few pix, it rained and I didn't have a lens cloth!

If only the start of the day started as it finished. By the end not only was I enjoying my walk but positively beaming. I really love the outdoors and walking across Dartmoor. But I can’t get to grips with the start of the day. I know it’s a mental thing. I was reading an article about bereavement. It was described as “hell”, they not wrong there!

The smile was temporarily wiped off my face as I approached the car at the end of the day as I saw a van with flashing lights parked next to my car. All sorts of worrying thoughts flashed trough my mind. Not that I am a worrier, I assure you… It was only weed control personnel spraying vegetation.

Getting up at 5am does nothing for the mind and is something I avoid, esp. when it entails leaving alone. Strange, it never bothered me when Sue used to accompany me. But alone, then and now hate/d it...

For this walk I wanted to try a slightly different , but still familiar area. So I parked on the eastern side of the moor.

I arrived at my new start point at 8am, it was overcast but dry and the sun was trying to make an appearance. As I stopped the engine a rainbow appeared directly ahead. It felt like a welcome.

Getting out of the car, feeling decidedly like I wanted to be someplace else, somewhere warmer, like my bed. Feeling alone but wanting to be alone save for something that I can’t touch, something at this time beyond my touch, if it even exists.
I had my breakfast as usual, hot milk in a bowl of Shreddies. That warms the cockles.

I was nattering away to myself, thinking of all those that are looking forward to the approaching winter! It did raise a smile. I have a feeling I may get to enjoy the cooler days. But I don’t know when. Been there and have the badge. It was more novel sharing with Sue though. Comparing who was coldest. Usually Sue! I remembered in about 2004 crossing Hangingstone Hill and our boots sinking into a foot of snow. Lower down, no snow. I remembered crossing in front of Steepleton Tor (from Oke tor), in a blizzard, almost, and a helicopter doing something on Steepleton Tor. I remember freezing cold hands! And, yes, it was fun!

I needed my hat and gloves for part of the time eating by the car. The temp was about 6c. It seemed very chilly. But hell, my kitchen sometimes touches that temp, it just seemed colder outside!

I left the car feeling not an ounce of excitement and headed for the open moor.

I crossed Scorhill and over two clapper bridges and followed a walled wood to Kestor Rock. Then Middle Tor. Then made a slight navigational error. I was only 90 degrees out. I wanted Thornworthy Tor, but went to Frenchbeer Rock. Oh well, concentration wasn't high on my priority list and I simply thought sod it when I realised my mistake, I knew straight away where I was. The last time I walked this route was with Sue in September 2008. The last time she ever walked on Dartmoor. I was going somewhat from memory and saw a rock and went to it! It was just the wrong rock! I followed the road to Thornworthy Farm and walked through a gate that said please close gate. Three or four collies ringed Bess and I and a very pleasant lady approached. I asked if I could get to Fenworthy Reservoir. I owe a big thank you to said lady as she pointed out I was on private property but directed me through a few gates back out onto the open moor. Thank you. Just to reiterate, the farm is private and I entered by accident, even though I knew exactly where I was. Please don't follow this route.

From there, just below Thornworthy Tor back on the moor there was a gate that headed to the reservoir. It was along there that my feet got their first soaking.
I followed various paths through Fenworthy Forest and rejoined the moor at South Teign Head, having to clamber over an A frame stile, I used the grab handle on Bess's pack to help her up it. I then crossed proper tussocks that were quite hard going to Grey Wether stone circle and on to the Tor just above.

As I approached Sittaford Tor I saw a small group of three heading for the same tor. I upped my pace wanting to get there and over the A frame stile before them.

Of course if you want to get to something before others, you do so at your own peril. Bess clambered up easily, but there was a heck of a drop the other side. So I told her to stay at the top, I joined her, tossed my poles over other side, no way could I climb down, hang on and help Bess with them in my hands. To this point all was well. As I started my descent a strong gust of wind caught me and nearly swept me off the stile. I ungainly hung on. Lost my balance again as I made landfall, a darn great smile on my face at how absurd I must have looked, got Bess down easily, again using grab handle to brake her fall, and nearly fell over again with the passing of another gust, only saving face by stepping into a large puddle. I looked up sheepishly, and the lady in the group gave me a smile. I said “it’s a bit windy” trying to cover my embarrassment, and got going. I never saw them again. They were the only people I saw. Lovely.

I headed for Statts House, the going incredibly wet. My shoes getting a total soaking. It was from this point, crossing that stile at Sittaford, that my spirits lifted. Whether it is a mind thing I don’t know, but from here I was heading parallel to the car. No idea if that played a part. I was barely half way. I started to enjoy myself. Three odd hours into the walk!

From here I crossed the first of two easy streams on this whole walk and headed for Hangingstone Hill. There was a sort of path most of the way, but I think care would be needed in thick mists. I “lost” it in good weather a few times. Mind you, I never was much good keeping to the “paths”!

I debated going directly to Wild Tor, the quick, easy option, then on to car. But thankfully I stayed my original planned course.

There was an easy track to Steeperton Tor and another to Wild Tor. I ate by a small stream between them. Bliss.

Last month I easily lit my meths burner with just a fire steel. This time, due to being cooler and breezier?, after 10 minutes of striking the flint, I gave up and used my lighter. I was a bit peeved I failed. I also needed more fuel, obviously due to the water being colder initially. So I will factor that in next time. My meal water never boiled and I then used same water to make my Smash potato. So hopeful no nasties were in it. It was plenty hot enough though. Croak!

I made a tea, then repacked and made my way up to Wild Tor. I didn’t stop, the breeze was picking up and I was getting cooler, esp. my feet. I got them soaked again. The temp was about 8c, but I suspect the wind chill made it less. The wind was about 25mph. I followed the path to Hound Tor. From there it was a 90 degreeish turn to head to the edge of Button Hill and the car. I was at this stage incredibly happy and looked back on the walk with fondness.