Dartmoor reflections

Northmore's Cross

I will miss Dartmoor when we move. I can't believe how much the rugged, wild landscapes have got under my skin. The Curate and I have retreated there when times were tough. We could stand and stare at the outstretched country below us and remind ourselves that whatever was troubling us was only a moment in time and time passes. And so it did - and we learnt so much during this second half of The Curate's curacy.

We have discovered so many different faces to Dartmoor. We have seen the changes with each season and experienced the seemingly endless rain that we have all had this year. What was new for us, was to see how it affected those who lived and worked on Dartmoor and how it was such a threat to their livelihoods. The Curate has been drawn into farming families at times of funerals and he has had glimpses of the farming life that has been passed down from one generation of the family to the next. Quad bikes have replaced ponies and paperwork has halted bartering. TB testing dominates life for weeks at a time but the essence of life in a remote moorland farm, remains the same.

Riding round Fox Tor Mires

Riding across Dartmoor has given us yet another view of this wild place. I never thought that I would be able to ride as much as I have done and I have met people who have shown me parts of  Dartmoor that I would never have found on my own in the short time we have had here. Earlier this week we rode beside the Fox Tor Mires - this is an exposed area of treacherous boggy moorland that you do not cross. It said that it could be as deep as twenty foot in places. There you will find a granite cross which is said to be the tomb of a wealthy Saxon Lord, Childe the Hunter. The Mires are said to have been the inspiration for The Hound Of The Baskervilles by Sir Arther Conan Doyle.   We were making our way up Hand Hill to see one of the smallest crosses on Dartmoor - Northmore's Cross. It is just 11 cm tall and is placed on a triangular granite rock in 1982 by Mr Northmore  who had farmed the area for years. He was marking his appreciation of having lived and worked in the area.

Dartmoor has certainly become a very important part of my journey alongside The Curate. The landscapes, the wild skies and the people, have all made creases in my life that will not be ironed out. It has taught me that my heart is in the countryside and I now need to explore this as we begin our new life in Dorset next month.

after the deluge

The Lakeland inspects the foam

Oh the rain...the rain! The water is running off the moor bringing all the Autumn debris with it. The pipes and gutters are blocked and the torrents of water race down the roads tossing gravel and leaves aside. The flood waters are frothed up on the moor and then rush by leaving  foamy footmarks. When the rain stops, the temporary torrents slow to a trickle and gravel trails cover the roads. The south west has seen roads blocked, train lines flooded and farm land waterlogged. Yesterday was a respite day before more of the promised rain over night and tomorrow.
Yesterday The Curate and I made good use of the dry window by riding out on the moor. It was sodden from the recent rain but it didn't stop us appreciating the wide open spaces after being cooped up inside for the last few days. I am really enjoying riding Major The Clydesdale, who is wintering at Tor Royal Stables from Adventure Clydesdale. I can't believe that two years ago I knew nothing about Clydesdale horses or riding on Dartmoor.

The Collie inspects the water rushing under the clapper bridge.

After the excitement of interviews and appointments, there is a realisation that we still have quite a few months to wait and The Curate's work does not stop here. The Curate is getting on with his day to day job as the season of carol services and celebrations is fast approaching. Of course, I am in retirement but I haven't found much time to think about my previous life! My mind is mentally moving furniture around the rooms of a house I have only seen once. So on Monday we are returning to see the house with the knowledge that it will be our future home. 

The Curate and I were shown it separately on the interview day and we had no time to discuss it together. It was interesting to see what he had noticed compared to what I remembered. I had walked round the house on the interview day unable to, or wanting to, comprehend that this house could be our next home. I gave it all a cursory glance, not wanting to pre-empt the interview decision. Now we have to decide on paint colours, we have to meet the diocese property people to discuss updates and improvements - all to be finished by February - as this is when we are supposed to move in. My plans for 'retirement' activities may need to be put on hold. (There is also the added distraction of Tess the new pup, who was 3 weeks old yesterday!)

Tess - 3 weeks old

The perfect day

Yesterday was Friday - our day off, and we spent it in the happiest of ways - riding The Clydsdales at Adventure Clydesdale in Cornwall. We have ridden out several times from here. Yesterday, we had perfect weather again- although too wet to go onto Bodmin, we rode out in the Cornish countryside and had the benefit of glorious views. Nothing seems more important than living for the moment when you are with these beautiful gentle giants.

The day started with a frosty walk for the dogs on Middlemoor

Then we drove down to Bodmin to meet our mounts.

Tim. owner of Adventure Clydesdale, lead out on Faroe

I rode Tweedie

We stopped to wade up the stream to wash off the horses after a muddy ride. This is The Curate on Ben

Tweedie caught taking a little nap at the end

I wasn't asleep!

Is this a photo shoot?!

What look do you want?

 

I can do pretty, -  or my right side is good  or alert and interested? But don't forget ..............

to show my moustache!

Riding out again

  

We are so fortunate to have had fantastic weather today and so we were able to ride out on the lovely Clydesdale horses again at Adventure Clydsdale. This time The Curate and I took Younger Son and girlfriend, NQT. Neither of them had been on the back of a horse / pony since they were very small. After all the rain yesterday, Bodmin Moor was too wet underfoot, so we rode around the lanes and bridle paths. It is the ONLY way to see the countryside. Now NQT is not that tall and these horses are very tall. I was very impressed with her courage as she climbed aboard Ben. Younger son ( who has not ridden since he was about six) had been full of bravado in the car. He went a little quiet when he saw the horses but once aboard Trotter, he looked quite at home.
These really are BFGs (Big Friendly Giants) - the horses - not Younger Son and NQT!

The Curate and Ecco heading home.

A Clydsdale Adventure.

Ready for action?

I have finally shifted the cold that has been dragging me down for nearly three weeks and as the weather was set to be fair, The Curate arranged a day out. He is training all day Saturday and working the morning and afternoon on Sunday  - so today was our weekend. He had a short service this morning and then we ventured across the river into Cornwall. 

We stopped for lunch in the Blisland Inn which just happens to serve very good real ale. This was our sort of pub! Perhaps The Curate thought he was in need of a little courage before the afternoon's adventure.

After a wander around the village and a visit to the church (more of that another time) we headed onto Bodmin moor and met with Tim and Becky who run the Adventure Clydesdale.

The Curate measuring the horses up for size

Now The Curate hasn't done much riding but he has always been prepared to have a go. Clydsdales are big as horses go - but these were delightful horses to ride. They are not 'nose to tail' trekking horses so we both had a fantastic ride. We rode out onto Bodmin and enjoyed the spectacular scenery and horses. There can't be a better way to see the moors than from the back of a horse.
I had a perfect day (- I hope The Curate will not be too stiff by Sunday!)               

a short canter

 

Photos - Adventure Clydesdale