What a day!

On Saturday I was lucky enough to take Naomi and Andrew, two visitors from London staying at Prince Hall Hotel on their very first visit to Dartmoor, on a day-long walk from the hotel.  Starting at Prince Hall at 10 am, we first walked across Muddilake Newtake, up to Littaford, Longaford and Higher and Lower White Tors.  We then visited the ruined farmstead at Brown's House, pausing to watch some hapless Ten Tors trainees doing their best to get stuck in the mire, then turned south east, skirting Hollowcombe Bottom and heading down into Bellever Forest via Gawler Bottom.  Then it was Bellever Tor and back to the hotel via Lower Dunnabridge Plantation and the lower Cherry Brook.   

A walk lasting nine hours, passing through a wide variety of Dartmoor scenery, mainly blessed with glorious sunshine and warm temperatures.  One of our many achievements on the walk was to visit both ends of the Cherry Brook - its source above Hollowcombe and its 'foot' where it enters the West Dart below Prince Hall.

 

Along the way there was a great deal to look at and talk about, including several Common Lizards as well as many singing Skylarks, Wheatear, Stonechat, Buzzard, Kestrel, Raven, Siskin, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Snipe, Green Woodpecker and, best of all, a pair of Red Grouse near Brown's House.  We also heard my first Cuckoo of the spring.  This was truly the first day of a late spring and a memorable walk. 

Many thanks to Naomi and Andrew for being such willing and able walkers, and such excellent company.  Photos from the walk are below.

 

Common Lizard near Muddilake

Dartmoor pony, one of four on Longaford Tor.  The conical summit was the only place in the vicinity with any new grass.

Andrew and Naomi at Longaford Tor

Looking west from Longaford

At the Tinner's Hut near Brown's House

Ten Tors participants crossing the top of Hollowcombe Bottom.  These were the only threatening skies of the day.

Part of the Lich Way in Bellever Forest.  The calm and green of the woods was a welcome contrast after the parched yellow of the open moor.

 

At Bellever Tor
 

Looking east towards Laughter Tor from Bellever Tor

One of the lovely secret corners of the moor - by the lower Cherry Brook

At Cherry Brook Foot

Lichens, mosses and succulents on a wall top in the evening sun