Wednesday 20 April 2011

Dartmoor.

42.7 Miles. Now at Sortridge Park CL at Yelverton.

The little wooden caravan is for the Muscovy ducks to sleep in safe from predators.The little wooden caravan is for the Muscovy ducks to sleep in safe from predators.

Crockwell Park Caravan Park was probably the best CL site we have encountered so far. The only reason for booking it was because the previous site hadn’t come up to scratch. The proprietors were very helpful with transport and route information which made things easier.

Dartmoor ponies quite unconcerned with our presence.Dartmoor ponies quite unconcerned with our presence.This young colt came within 6 feet but then lost his nerve.This young colt came within 6 feet but then lost his nerve.

There were no detours today and it was only an hours journey to our next site. Arriving at Sortridge farm on the edge of Dartmoor we were greeted by a very friendly proprietor who gave us an Ordnance Survey map of the area and showed us how to get up on the moor. After lunch we put on our hiking boots and set off. Three quarters of an hour later and we were standing on the Heather and Gorse covered Plaster Down, Dartmoor. As it was such a lovely day there were many families enjoying picnics and the wide open spaces where kid’s and dog’s could run riot and let off steam.

Plaster Down, Dartmoor. The hills in the background are Cox Tor, Middle Staple Tor and Great Staple Tor.Plaster Down, Dartmoor. The hills in the background are Cox Tor, Middle Staple Tor and Great Staple Tor.Views over Devon.Views over Devon.

We found 12 ponies with 2 foals who were only weeks or months old. We stood quietly among them and one foal came to within 6 feet of us before his bravado gave out and he ran back to his mum. With it being the warmest day we have encountered so far (26 0C and its still spring) we were quite weary by the time we got back to camp so a snooze was the order of the day.

Old machinery dotted around the camp make it interesting. A 1902 chaff cutter perhaps.Old machinery dotted around the camp make it interesting. A 1902 chaff cutter perhaps.It's lost one roller but most grandparents would have had one of these.It's lost one roller but most grandparents would have had one of these.

A total of 1334 miles, since 5 March 2011

2 comments:

Graham and Jill Findlay said...

That brings back memories, we used to take the offspring letterboxing on the moor. Did you walk down to the Windy Post? It's a granite cross not far from Plaster Down. Happy days.

Derek and Dot said...

Hi Graham and Jill,
you got us there we had to look up letterboxing as never heard of the term. No never saw Windy Post at all. May go back today.