The Society last visited Dartmoor during the 2005 Gathering at Exeter over five years ago, so for many it was a long overdue return to a popular location.

But we were also delighted to welcome some attending their first Society event, including Peter and Marja van Zoonen from Holland and Nicola Ridge from Plymouth. Over 30 members met up on Friday evening at the Plume of Feathers in Princetown. We found that this venue was also the headquarters for a much larger group attending the 12th Annual Dartmoor Discovery weekend, which was the cover name for some really serious walkers who were embarking upon a 32 mile Ultra Marathon the following day.

Saturday dawned bright and sunny, and cars started to arrive at the pub car park shortly after 9.30 am where some quick logistic arrangements were made. Our walk, led by Clive Gee, was to be from Dousland to Princetown along the track bed of the former railway line from Yelverton, re-tracing the journey taken by Dan Sturt in Saucers over the Moor. Thus we would end up with cars at both ends of the route, so part of Clive's superb organization throughout, was to ensure that the Dousland drivers could get back there afterwards.

The walk itself was fascinating. First, we passed the site of Burrator and Sheepstor Halt with Burrator reservoir below. Then on across the Yelverton to Princetown road to remote Ingra Tor Halt, once famous as the only location on the British railway system to display an official notice warning passengers to beware of snakes! Next, Swell Tor where some spare parts for London bridge can still be found in the old quarry; they were cut and dressed but never shipped. A long curve around King Tor brought us to the site of a platform bearing the same name. This was the last intermediate stopping place on the line and its principal claim to fame is that stone for Nelson's Column, extracted from the nearby Foggintor quarry was shipped from here. And so on to Princetown where, at nearly 1400 feet above sea level, the station was the highest point on the former Great Western Railway system.

After well-earned refreshment, we drove from Princetown to Hexworthy passing the front gate of Prince Hall (a.k.a. King's Holt) en route. Our evening get-together was at The Forest Inn where many of the group were staying. This was Saville's inspiration for The White Lion, but although we were not its only customers that evening, there was no sign of an unprepossessing little fisherman in a round tweed hat!

Sunday was more cloudy as we met up at the Two Bridges car park for a shorter out-and-back walk to Wistman's Wood. Once again, we could admire Saville's sense of place from his description of it in Where's my Girl:

'The stunted oaks were not only growing out of the clitter of loose rocks but their branches sprawled out across the boulders, and rocks and trees alike were covered with a thick grey moss.'

Saying 'goodbye' is always the saddest part of any walking weekend, so as the sun was shining by this time and Dartmoor was looking its best, some of us prolonged the inevitable by meeting up at the remote Warren House Inn for lunchtime refreshment. Then, many faced a long drive home - and the prospect of an early start for work the following morning.

 

Photo's from the event

Some of the party on the old railway line.

Swell Tor Quarry

Peter and Marja van Zoonen at Wistmans Wood

Ian Aitken and George Elliott cross the West Dart River

Below Beardown Tor, a sudden mist descends on the part walking beside Devonport Leat.