Dartmoor - a Different View

Yesterday we walked on Dartmoor again - and what a complete contrast to our last visit, only six weeks ago! This time everybody had spare clothes, waterproofs, extra boots etc, and we didn't need them at all.

The meet was at Meavy this time, and the day was not only bright and warm in Saltash but just as nice when we got there. I knew it would be good when I got out of the car to see the first swallows of the year on the telephone line. We set off uphill (naturally) up on to the moors to a marvellous viewpoint looking over Burrator Reservoir then came down through the woods, alongside the reservoir and back to the village for lunch. The reservoir is surrounded by conifer plantations which are rather more airy and attractive than most, to the extent of having flowering plants such as wood sorrel and violets, and we walked down along a leat where a lot of felling had been taking place, so the warm air was redolent of hot pine and resin.

This part of the Dartmoor National Park is extremely popular with visitors - there were many walkers but also picnickers and others who weren't venturing too far from their cars. We had an enjoyable and well deserved lunch sitting outside the village pub in Meavy, watching the local chickens cross the road in search of scraps. On the village green is an Ancient Oak. The centre has completely vanished leaving a three columned arch rather taller than I am, but with a healthy looking crown above. It is supposed to be almost 1,000 years old (known to King John), and gives its name to the pub.