Dartmoor ... how good was that!
Posted by Steve Adams on Friday, April 29, 2011
This is just to record what a good time we had on Dartmoor at Easter. Big thanks go to whoever organised the weather because it was just perfect - not too hot or too cold, and it meant the views were stunning. Also huge thanks to Frank Postel and his staff at the Moorland Links Hotel for their help and hospitality. It made a big difference and Richard and I are very grateful to you all.
And of course the guests, most of whom we had met previously on Forest Park walk weekends, were once again great company and good fun and I think I can safely say everyone enjoyed the weekend.
We started off with Richard's illustrated talk which referred to a lot of the history and aspects of Dartmoor which we would be coming across on our walks later ... and , of course, a few points which would come back to haunt people at the notorious quiz!
All the walks went well. The first one , from Postbridge to Dartmeet and back via Bellever, had a few tough bits along the East Dart river and we were all a bit weary by the time we got back to the cars but I think we all thought it was worth it. Sue, particularly, did brilliantly well seeing as her right boot fell apart within the first half-mile but she got through with the help of a pit stop at Dartmeet and a roll of parcel tape! And the brilliant cream tea back at the hotel certainly made everyone smile! Then, the quiz after dinner with its usual mix of banter and mock competitiveness and the worthy winners thrilled with their bottles of pink stuff!
The second walk on Easter Sunday was lovely given the sunny conditions and the wide open spaces. Unfortunately I made a faux pas with the directions to the start - I missed out a vital left turn! Luckily everyone got to the start ok - well, everyone but Ray who did a mini tour of Devon but managed to find us in time and was very good humoured about it all. Eventually! So my apologies for that. But the moor was just fantastic that day and the walk down into the Giant's Basin was one of the best moments.
And finally our half day walk on Monday morning was very pleasant and leisurely. Our intended stop at a pub didn't come off as they didn't open until later but it didn't matter as we continued on back to the hotel where Frank sprang into action once again.
So we came to the end of another walking weekend. Dartmoor was a new venue for us but I really hope we can return there before too long. We'd be lucky to get such perfect conditions again I know but it is such a charismatic place that it attracts me back time and again and I hope I can discover some more interesting routes.
And of course the guests, most of whom we had met previously on Forest Park walk weekends, were once again great company and good fun and I think I can safely say everyone enjoyed the weekend.
We started off with Richard's illustrated talk which referred to a lot of the history and aspects of Dartmoor which we would be coming across on our walks later ... and , of course, a few points which would come back to haunt people at the notorious quiz!
All the walks went well. The first one , from Postbridge to Dartmeet and back via Bellever, had a few tough bits along the East Dart river and we were all a bit weary by the time we got back to the cars but I think we all thought it was worth it. Sue, particularly, did brilliantly well seeing as her right boot fell apart within the first half-mile but she got through with the help of a pit stop at Dartmeet and a roll of parcel tape! And the brilliant cream tea back at the hotel certainly made everyone smile! Then, the quiz after dinner with its usual mix of banter and mock competitiveness and the worthy winners thrilled with their bottles of pink stuff!
The second walk on Easter Sunday was lovely given the sunny conditions and the wide open spaces. Unfortunately I made a faux pas with the directions to the start - I missed out a vital left turn! Luckily everyone got to the start ok - well, everyone but Ray who did a mini tour of Devon but managed to find us in time and was very good humoured about it all. Eventually! So my apologies for that. But the moor was just fantastic that day and the walk down into the Giant's Basin was one of the best moments.
And finally our half day walk on Monday morning was very pleasant and leisurely. Our intended stop at a pub didn't come off as they didn't open until later but it didn't matter as we continued on back to the hotel where Frank sprang into action once again.
So we came to the end of another walking weekend. Dartmoor was a new venue for us but I really hope we can return there before too long. We'd be lucky to get such perfect conditions again I know but it is such a charismatic place that it attracts me back time and again and I hope I can discover some more interesting routes.
