To Yelverton on a bike.

Now to many of you guys the distance from 78 to Yelverton might not be very far. Certainly in a car it takes little time. On a push bike, not Mike's favourite mode of transport it is tortuous. After last nights overindulgence at Turtle Bay and a 'pull' too many on the rum bottle Jackie decided that we needed some fresh air and as we had agreed to visit Margaret Anstis for lunch it was decided, by 'er, that we should cycle out and carry the scran in our bergans. We left dead on 1130hrs and to my great surprise we knocked on her door at 1300hrs. Exactly on time.

Plymbridge Woodland Railway at the level crossing.

Looking like a young Paul Newman in a shot straight out of

Butch and Sundance.

All I need is Eta Paige sat on the handlebars.

I'm always trailing behind when we go push-biking!

Margaret for 96 is in remarkably good health. Her brain is as sharp as ever and she always makes one so welcome. The conversation is always geared towards her visitors and try as one might it is always difficult to turn the conversation around and get her to talk about herself. It is always a delight to visit.

As the time was now 1530hrs we needed to be making a move. Jackie promised me it was all downhill on the way home. Indeed it was shaving 25 minutes off our outgoing time. That included several photo stops as well.

By The Rock at Yelverton.

The obverse is cleverly carved with Queen Lizzy's dates.

Show me the way to go home!

Shaugh Bridge rail tunnel.

Shaugh Bridge railway halt.

Not certain who was winning at this stage.

Dragon Fly.

Burrator Tab.

Saturday's weather put a stop to any Moor walking but Sunday promised a better day. Slightly late we didn't arrive at Burrator till 0930hrs. We parked at the dam. We chose this area as it was sheltered from the winds, or at least you can confine yourself to the numerous tracks through the forest and keep off the more exposed parts. In theory.

Burrator Reservoir was completed in 1898, and was further expanded in 1929. The reservoir was built under the supervision of Edward Sandeman (1862-1959), the Water Engineer for Plymouth. The reservoir has two dams, the Burrator Dam, which is built across the River Meavy at Burrator Gorge at the south-western end, where most people seem to park 'cos it's close to the ice cream van and the Sheepstor Dam built on a dividing ridge between the Meavy and Sheepstor Brook at the south-eastern end. The Burrator Dam was the first of the two to be built, with construction starting on 9 August 1893. It is the larger of the two dams, constructed of concrete faced with granite blocks. The Sheepstor Dam was built in 1894 and is an earth embankment with a core wall of puddled clay above the original ground level, with a concrete section below ground. The reservoir was officially opened on 21 September 1898.

In 1923 it was decided to enlarge the capacity from 668 million gallons to 1,026 million. This was achieved by raising the height of both dams by 10 feet. Work began in December 1923, and a temporary suspension bridge was built near Burrator Dam to carry traffic while the work proceeded. The reservoir was officially re-opened on 12 September 1928.



View from the dam over the reservoir.



Crossing over both dams via the road and footpaths we were soon climbing up towards Sheepstor. Jackie always mindful of a good bivvy position found this wonderful position beneath a huge slab of granite. As she said, a few boulders, logs, mud and bracken dragged onto the windward side and a few ferns thrown onto the floor and we would have an adequate  bivvy for the night.



Still climbing up towards Sheepstor.

So far the rain had held off and the wind although cold was not to strong. This would all change later in the day. For now the weather was kind and we enjoyed some great views back down the valley and across the resi.

Nearing the top of Sheepstor.



We did not tarry long on the ridge line but immediately made our way back down onto the road passing a few 'locals' along the way and after a few hundred meters we could strike off at Norsworthy Bridge for the forest tracks.



Norsworthy Bridge at the top end of Burrator Reservoir.

The tracks here due to forest work was greatly churned up and so we turned off the intended route and made for the Devonport Leat. This we knew would take us up and out onto the open moor.

Jackie had somehow managed to get a wee pebble in her boot and so we stopped at yet another picturesque bridge whilst she removed it.

Passing the old cave which lies just below the old LeatherTor Farm ruins we could not resist a climb inside.

Once out onto the open moor we struck North up towards the Yelverton Princetown Road which we crossed and then made our way back down the other side towards the remains of the old Princetown Railway line, now used as a cycle/walking track. It  closed on the 3rd March 1956.
http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/963733/Granite-and-Gears-Princetown-Railway-cycle-leaflet2015.pdf

We were now walking into the wind which was coming straight at us from Cornwall here on the Eastern side of the moor there is little to stop or break the wind. We stopped for barely ten minutes for a swig of hot coffee from the flask, a bite of Snicker bar then on.

Part of the Devonport Leat.

Peek Hill rail bridge.

We crossed the Yelverton to Princetown road via the recently opened new rail bridge. Peek Hill, famous for its snow blocked road in winter was to our left. Soon we were back in the shelter of the trees and in no time we were back at the dam. I had made a rather rash promise earlier "If the ice cream vans there I'll buy you a cornet with clotted cream. Should have not been so confident in them not turning out today.

Note the two horse riders.

Should have kept my big mouth shut!

Mist on the Moor.

A little mist and rain doesn't usually stop us and in fairness it was hardly rain but today's proposed tabb was from Belliver Car Park  North to Teignbridge Farm. Of course the farm located at this point has long since been abandoned.  It is believed that it was still occupied – by a Scottish shepherd and his family, in the early 1890s.

Mike won't be going there today as it's really socked in with about fifty meters vis. The normal FAC members were all absent today as so that only left Ken and I. Even Jackie was too busy to come walking. We both decided a low level route on the Moor would be less hassle without the need for compass bearings and pace counts to say nothing about keeping out of the wind.

We opted for the Burrator area.




The bridge over the dam at Burrator.

Looking up the reservoir. Note the hill mist now lifting.

A Hobbit House.

Burrator Lodge. Looking spooky in the mist.

Fungi in the Forest.

The Goose Man cometh and I'm not talking Top Gun here!

Plymouth Sound to Welcome home HMS Albion.

It was a beautiful day and so after a quick breakfast with Paul and Julie we set off for Oreston to launch the sit-ons. We were late and it was low tide. This makes no real difference here as the concrete ramp extends right the way into the water unless it's exceptionally low tide. By 1200hrs we were under way.

"Come on let's go"

It was a gorgeous day on the water. No wind and at the bottom of the tide no current. We were soon abreast Mountbatten pier and we decided to paddle across the Hoe foreshore and make for the beach at Cremyl.

The Mountbatten Ferry. Winter version. Ready to bring into service.

Don't you just love it when you can get into and out of Cornwall without paying!

On Cremyl Beach. Looking across Plymouth Sound

An old seadog.

We had an issue with the French Captain aboard the Amorique. Cheeky bugger blew his horn to suggest we were in his way as he was about to leave Millbay Docks. As if that wasn't bad enough HMS Albion heaved into view right in the very shipping channel we were in. We thought discretion the better part of etc and so gave way. God bless the Royal Marines!

HMS Albion. L14 sailing into 'Guz'

Jackie about to be rammed by the cross channel ferry!

Lunch was planned for the www.edgcumbearms.co.uk/ but dopey Mike left his wallet in the truck! How convenient I hear you say! Fortunately we had a flask so all was not lost. A quick coffee and then the return journey back to Oreston.

The Royal Citadel

The highlight of the afternoon apart form the canoeing was the Wrangler Rubicon Jeep on the launch pad. The two lads there were rightly proud of the 4x4. How they could have afforded it I know not. It must have been £40K including the extras and remapping.

Once ashore and all kit stowed we drove around to The Mess Room Café. A hidden gem which Les and I discovered Monday last when we went canoeing. I treated Jackie to a late lunch/afternoon tea.

The Mess Room Café.