Monday, March 12, 2007

Sunday Afternoon stroll on Dartmoor

Couldn't go for as long a walk as I wanted as got an unexpected visit from Uncle Bob and Aunty Kay - which was a lovely surprise! So we went for just a couple of hours up to Bonehill Rocks on Dartmoor:



Those two little pimples right of centre on the horizon in this first picture are Haytor, in a South Easterly direction - not too far to walk but not today. WE parked at Bonehill rocks then strolled up to Bell Tor and across to Chinkwell and Honeybag Tors - great names to depict the piles of weathered granite littering the Moors. The processes resulting in the formation of Dartmoor Tors started about 280 million years ago (is that all?) as the granite forming Dartmoor cooled and solidified from molten rock to form these amazing shapes.


It was warm in the sun but incredibly windy and the dog's ears were flapping right out behind them and we flapped our arms and tried to fly. I spotted a soggy green handknit fingerless glove on a rock - if you've lost just one - it's still there, looking very forlorn.


Looking down on Bonehill Rocks from Bell Tor

To the right of this picture, which is South Westerly, we could see Widecombe in the Moor and St Pancras Church down in the valley, but I didn't take a pic as it was too hazy.



Tilly likes to find her own sticks for us to throw -here she's trying to disguise herself as a Deer.

DH relaxing on top of Chinkwell Tor! And this is me and the dogs at HoneyBag Tor
You can see Hound Tor through this gate, lying central on the horizon.
Beautiful Moss covering a tree...

Dartmoor is transformed in the sunshine.
Walking back down to Bonehill Rocks where the car was parked - see lots of Dartmoor Ponies grazing, still woolly in their winter coats.

Much later, at home, dogs are happy, full bellies after supper and hogging the fire...

8 comments:

Joanna said...

Fantastic walk, looks like a fantastic area to live although I suppose we have the South Downs, and the coast!

Kate said...

Dartmoor is, in my opinion, such a beautiful area of the country. I cannot think of a better way to have spent the weekend!

Anonymous said...

I think I'm going to turn up on your doorstep and insist that you take me on that walk. Gorgeous photos and doggies! They look like they really had a good time!

Sarah said...

I'm so jealous of you for being so close to Dartmoor. I grew up nearby and I used to go walking there every weekend. I'm so homesick after seeing your photos!

The socks you made your husband from your last post are amazing! They must be good if he still likes them after 15 years.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Terri said...

Hi Terri! I love your part of the world. Wish I could go back for a visit but it's SUCH a long way especially in 'cattle class' in the back of a jumbo! Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a message. You have two gorgeous dogs btw. :o) - from Aussie Knitting Terri at Lilypily Yarns x

Ang said...

oh what fantastic views!

Kath said...

Great walk and great photos. Such a beautiful part of this country; we are so lucky to have such variety in this country I think

Rain said...

Those two look worn out! The photos are lovely.