Friday Walk - laughter at Laughter Tor and Bellever at last!

I finally reached the top of Bellever Tor (443 metres)

On Thursday we parked in Bellever Forest car park to walk to Bellever Tor. The Curate assured me we needed to go through the village before parking the car and I trusted him - after all - who had a GPS for Christmas?  So we followed the path through the trees and out though the gate onto the moor. It was a glorious afternoon and  the dogs were enjoying the snow. We climbed higher and only stopped to take in the view and there behind us was.......

Bellever Tor! Whoops! We were climbing the wrong tor! Someone had left their GPS behind. The only time we had needed it because of the tall trees, it was sitting on our kitchen table. 

We climbed on and enjoyed wonderful views of the tor we were meant to be on and wonderful views of the snow sprinkled countryside.

When we got home we discovered that the tor we climbed was called Laughter Tor - which was very appropriate.                                                                  If we hadn't climbed this tor, we wouldn't have seen some amazingly clear icicles and some tremendous views from laughter Tor. 

Having failed several times before, we knew we had to make a fifth attempt to climb Bellever Tor

So today, we parked in a different forest car park. We walked through the forest of Christmas trees and I hoped The Curate knew where he was going this time. It is very easy to lose your sense of direction among rows of tall trees.

When we reached the edge of the plantation, our elusive tor came into view. Having attempted to reach this tor from various directions and in various weather conditions and failed, we were glad of the most perfect day we could wish for. It was clear, crisp and bright - superb walking weather!
We didn't actually have much of a walk because the path was  so well trodden. This is a very popular tor and we had it all to ourselves. (We must be the only people to fail to find the right path.)

The Dartmoor ponies led the way.

Do we really have to go up there?

This is an enclosed area for breeding the native Dartmoor pony. There were plenty of ponies for us to see. This one was breaking the ice with her hoof to get to the water underneath. She wasn't bothered by dogs or The Curate and I.

And we all enjoyed the view from the top.














 
What better place for contemplation.........and sermon writing!













 

Roll on the snow - our sledges are waiting!

Friday walk

Friday - is our day off and play time. The Curate and I usually pick a walk on Dartmoor. We had intended walking to Bellever Tor but the wind was blowing over the open moorland and we were defeated again. Before we left, we did meet some of the local ponies plus some delightful appaloosa ponies who are definitely not native to Dartmoor.

Bellever Tor  had defeated us again. This is the third time we have failed to reach the Tor. We have been defeated by the mud, the runs and the wind ( rain, illness and blowing wind!)  It doesn't look that windy in the photographs  - but it was, so we went onto Dartmeet and walked up besides the river. We passed several of the local residents along the way.

I'm hungry!

Have you got any food?

Can I come with you?

It was an easy walk today and there were plenty of native ponies sheltering from the strong wind in the valley. I think this must be a very busy walk at the weekend and in the summer, but today, The Curate and I had the valley to ourselves (except for the local, 4 legged residents).

I did need to add a little sunshine.