tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27054003227901436492024-03-16T23:43:11.739+00:00 whoisthechallenger - A Dartmoor Letterboxing blog -whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.comBlogger240125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-69293253568582813122019-05-20T00:39:00.001+01:002019-05-20T01:13:51.098+01:00Mum<div style="text-align: justify;">
In late April, my Mum passed away.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Jill Barber<br />1950-2019</b></td></tr>
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It was all very sudden, very unexpected, and understandably very shocking to all family and friends, who remember a sprightly, passionate, hardworking, enthusiastic quilter, crafter, traveler, and cat lover.</div>
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You see, my Mum - Jill Barber - was remarkable. She was one of my closest confidantes, and we shared many adventures at home and abroad. Whether it be hiking in the Lake District or car rallying in Sweden and Germany. She was great fun to be around, and I will miss her terribly.</div>
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Mum Letterboxed, of course. She was one of The Upland Trotters (1991-2012), but tired of participation in the hobby well before my late Father did, so my return to the UK from World travels was good Dartmoor news for him, at least, as I provided some companionship on the Moor. In more recent years, Mum peeped over the Letterbox 'wall' to see what was going on. She attended the Meet with me to <a href="https://who-is-the-challenger.blogspot.com/2017/03/challenge-2-achieved.html" target="_blank">get Godfrey Swinscow's 98th Birthday Card filled with Personal Stamps</a>. She was sat along-side me again when I <a href="https://who-is-the-challenger.blogspot.com/2017/10/challenge-9-achieved.html" target="_blank">sold my Caves & Tunnels charity walk in 2017</a>.</div>
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Far more eloquent and poignant tributes have been paid to Mum in the past few weeks, but she was very fatalist, and made her final wishes very clear. She wished for her life and achievements to be celebrated, and my sisters and I will forever try to honour her memory and legacy.</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-38219407594182302652019-02-16T16:26:00.005+00:002019-05-19T23:46:37.657+01:00A fine time to visit Fur Tor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Fur Tor: "The Queen of the Moor". The remotest Dartmoor Tor and the damn finest example of rocky outcrops you're ever likely to see.<br />
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To be honest, there is never a bad time to visit Fur Tor. Perhaps when the range is closed for live military firing. Or gale-force windy days, maybe. But on the whole, this is the ultimate, and destination-perfection.<br />
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<i>And it's just got a whole lot better</i>.<br />
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The original Letterbox - the one marked on old OS maps - the 1950s Letterbox - is back on site, after an absence of some 26 years. You may recall that I took a look at some of the Letterbox's Visitor's books in an earlier blog post (<a href="https://who-is-the-challenger.blogspot.com/2017/07/visitors-books-revisited.html">https://who-is-the-challenger.blogspot.com/2017/07/visitors-books-revisited.html</a>). This is a heritage Letterbox. One that deserves to be on site, warmly welcoming Fur Tor's weary pilgrims. Converting walkers into Letterboxers, then converting Letterboxers into <i>believers</i>.<br />
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Believers that this rich and varied hobby has a history which deserves to be restored. And not just restored, but utilised to enhance Letterboxing. To educate, inspire, and enthuse a new generation of Letterboxers. Historical boxes restored, supported and celebrated!<br />
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The Bovey Tracey Bracken Basher reestablished this Fur Tor Letterbox (pictured). There will be many avid Letterboxers young and old who will have never found the original Fur Tor Letterbox during it's first 45 years on the Moor. There is now an opportunity to have another try!<br />
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I urge you - no - <i>implore</i> you, to visit Fur Tor. To find this Letterbox, leave a message in the book, leave a stamped-addressed postcard for the next visitor to post on. Have your own fine time at this heritage box. Then ask yourself: Where do you see this hobby of ours going in the 21st century? If not a technological route <i>ala</i> Geocaching (which most are no keen on), then how about a restoration led reinvention?<br />
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I'd welcome your comments on this!whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-30766202636382102802019-01-21T23:35:00.000+00:002019-01-21T23:35:53.367+00:00To the Mires!Dire forecasts of 4 weeks of snow motivated me to get out on the Moor this past weekend. In what was my first Letterboxing session since the new year, it was to the deepest South Moor that I was headed. Parking at Venford and striking out for Ryder's Hill, my destination was Fishlake Mire, vire Aune Head and Nakers Hill.<br />
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For peace and solitude these spots are unrivaled. As I sat stamping up on the grassy slopes overlooking Fishlake, I could not consider anyone other than a Letterboxed gracing this place with a visit. I stumbled on a geocache at Aune Head, so this Mire would be a little less lonely, but on the whole, and judging by visitor books, if you hate crowds, be here now.<br />
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With 8 boxes found and a welcome opportunity taken to stretch my legs and clear my head, twas a great day. The weather was kind too, saving the rain - as it did - to my final mile approaching the car.<br />
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whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-13670977614223268542018-10-15T21:39:00.000+01:002018-10-15T21:41:32.305+01:00A welcome return<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Junior Challenger made a welcome return to Letterboxing last week with a short stroll on Bodmin Moor. I was aware of two Cornish Letterboxes on Berry Down - a 282 metre hill just North of St Neot. With hopes as high as the lofty destination, we set off through tight bridleways and dense gorse in search of these hidden Boxes. I was aware that they were last found some three years ago, but was bouyed by their easy-sounding clues, updated grid references and the sunny weather - always a gauge of success!</div>
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Junior has grown up a lot since his first Letterboxing experience at Kings Tor a year ago. However he does struggle in uneven terrain, and, as it transpired, Berry Down is really quite uneven. In fact it resembled a giant bramble patch strewn with ankle braking holes and deep grass patches, devoid of paths. This kind of undergrowth makes Letterboxing tough for anyone - let alone the under 2's. Perhaps understandably we failed to find one of the Boxes. The other, however was a total hit. Its discovery, on site and in good condition, was greeted by manic applause and cheers from Junior. A reaction quite dissimilar to that that we've encouraged when doing litter picks together. This is reassuring, since his memories of finds at Kings Tor must be, at best, fleeting.<br />
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We disassembled the Letterbox "Wenmouth Cross" and studied the contents together. Junior got inked up before inking up the stamp, imprints were taken. The Visitors Book (unmarked in 3 years as expected) was duly marked. Junior helped pack it all back in the pot, and I suitably rehid it. The Letterboxing education has moved on considerably. We've now covered the long arduous walk, disappointment, perseverance, success, stamping, hiding and the triumphant return to the car.</div>
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Junior looks forward to the next Letterboxing adventure, as does Daddy.</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-47449068218648097632018-09-07T21:20:00.000+01:002018-11-02T14:35:04.625+00:00Laid to rest<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today, on a sparkling, sunny day in Devon, a beautiful and dignified funeral service took place. Well over 100 people saw Godfrey and Anne's seagrass caskets arrive in style, one in a horse-drawn hearse. The order of service included a deeply personal and moving choice of readings and hymns. One of the smartest and most inspiring eulogies you'll ever hear was read by the vicar. Oh, and the late Ken Dodd sang <i>Happiness</i> as the caskets were carried from the church. What a charismatic, heroic, devoted, talented couple Godfrey and Anne Swinscow were. </div>
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They will be sorely missed.</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-9500755350659396762018-08-31T16:59:00.001+01:002018-11-02T14:35:38.125+00:00Not the walk I'd intended......but the walk that I needed. Yes.<br />
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I was relieved to be back on Dartmoor turf. Climbing over High Down towards Brat Tor. I have been here too often of late and there are numerous other places I need to go, but I had hopes of visiting the Rattlebrook, Dunnagoats and Green Tor this time around. The weather forecast was in my favour, and I was hopeful the early mist would clear and a good day's Boxing would be had.<br />
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Not far from the car, I remembered that I hadn't checked my emails for any late arrivals of clues in this area. I logged on from my smartphone and was stunned by some terrible news.<br />
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Early in August the Letterboxing world was rocked by the death of Godfrey Swinscow. Aged 99, Godfrey had had a good life. He would, of course - to quote a forum contributor - be disappointed not to have made it to the 100 Club. The sad news that stood out from my email on this particular morning was the death of Godfrey's wife Anne - author of the books I blogged about in May this year. Just 2 weeks since Godfrey's passing, this was so tragic.<br />
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I was in a daze. I'd come out here -as per usual - to clear my head, but was now feeling confused and upset. I just kept on walking. Here I was, ascending the col between Brat and Arms Tor, when the rain came. <br />
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Thoughts of clues and original walk plans had gone. What was I to do. My head was more than full now. I had to go to Cranmere Pool! It seemed the obvious thing to do! In memoriam? Out of respect? To seek some solace? To report this latest sad news? I don't really know why. It certainly wasn't Letterboxing weather, and this certainly isn't the best route to Cranmere. Perhaps for my own mind, I simply needed to return to the original Dartmoor Letterbox.<br />
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I knew the way, but adjusted my map anyway. Over Rattlebrook Hill and Chat Tor, skirting Amicombe Hill before the climb up to the Okehampton Range plateau - Great Knesset and the slog over Black Ridge. Then on to the head of the West Okement and 'The Pool'.<br />
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Driving rain and low cloud soaked me to the skin. The deep wet grass, tussocks and water filled peat ponds atop Black Ridge did little to lighten my mood either. I found three boxes by chance. But I was focused on my target.<br />
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I reached Cranmere in time to witness a couple of walkers rushing away in the direction of OP15. They didn't see me approach as their hoods were up and they were attentively watching where they stepped.<br />
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Amazingly on this wet day I was the 6th visitor to write in the book. I wrote in my route, the weather and a short tribute to Godfrey and Anne.<br />
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I didn't hang around. It was almost 3pm and I needed to get home.<br />
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As I packed up to leave, contemplating the damp stomp ahead, my luck changed and the rain subsided. By the time I reached Black Ridge, the mist had lifted, and as I approached Great Kneeset, the clouds disappeared and the views in all directions were inspiring. The sunshine even made an appearance.<br />
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I continued on obvious paths over Amicombe Hill, over Green Tor to Bleak House. I took a moment to wander the ruined building: Trying and failing to imagine a lifetime spent in a remote and cold dwelling. It took 40 minutes from here to walk the last few kilometers to the car, from where I reflected on my day, and considered my achievement. Not thinking of a day's Letterboxing missed, but of friends remembered. Rest in peace God and Anne.whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-18310696880245541762018-07-31T12:23:00.002+01:002018-07-31T21:54:32.906+01:00On the road - Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been hearing and reading plenty lately about the environmental impact of our roads. Whether it be air pollution, biodiversity on our verges, or routes through protected landscapes, subject matter has been everywhere. Now, to my shame, I drive lots, especially on my commute to and from Dartmoor. Yet recent walks (and drives) have made got me thinking, in this case, about where I parked. Forgive me if this goes a bit off topic...</div>
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A loop of the Staple Tors above the Walkham Valley was in order. I was searching for a birthday series sited for a highly regarded, well respected veteran of the hobby. It was a walk during the June/July heatwave (set to make a return in August!) The past few months have seen a glorious spell of hot, dry conditions on the Moor. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0qOQWzCEZMzfJj_oXED8vbyqUE1kPFK5ta4SjOZDlINDLhCjqOi_7RV-Xq1UKohn9IcUyX9a2cziIXuL6kKtxuBPn4lFA3E9goRJczipOH_ErH1Y3l4-Nd-zt1dRW374ORCgfrpVGJc/s1600/DSC_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0qOQWzCEZMzfJj_oXED8vbyqUE1kPFK5ta4SjOZDlINDLhCjqOi_7RV-Xq1UKohn9IcUyX9a2cziIXuL6kKtxuBPn4lFA3E9goRJczipOH_ErH1Y3l4-Nd-zt1dRW374ORCgfrpVGJc/s320/DSC_0631.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Low river levels, drier marshy areas, parched grass Letterbox plugs. OK - so not everyone was happy with the weather, but it suited me. This was my first Letterbox walk in some time. I'd missed Ten Tors, cuckoos, cotton grass and bluebells. I was returning to the season of horse flies and bracken. Packed and dressed accordingly, with extra fluids on board, I was anticipating a breathless ramble.</div>
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The car park I headed for was beneath, and on the same side of the road as Little Staple Tor, overlooking Vixen Tor. At the back of the parking area is an enormous granite boulder. Upon it, though suffering from age and clear vandalism, is inscribed the following:</div>
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THIS VIEWPOINT PARKING AREA HAS BEEN CONSTRUCTED BY THE REES JEFFREYS ROAD FUND</blockquote>
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This is known locally as - rather obviously - the Rees Jeffreys car park.</div>
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This got me thinking. I was vaguely aware of the name this car park had, but no how that came about. This memorial lead me to the story of William Rees Jeffreys, perhaps the most powerful and influential voices in recent UK transport history. Born in 1872, Rees Jefferys: mechanical engineer; keen cyclist; campaigner for safer roads and supporter of using an aesthetically kind transport infrastructure to connect people with the countryside for recreation. He was Secretary of the RAC, Secretary of the Cylists Touring Club, but most importantly, Secretary for Roads when the Ministry of Transport came about in 1919.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEigQvqhwHxsdLCgC8YSUvWBCrJN2foYfqZwTTOY6xqnVlw9GX3bag6jJKIg2lWwO33EQUKem8NzGiKSEuNlBmuRvoLaUXeGZGcIMMq4ZYA4jxeoP03BUJIsZy_ZH6IY47AMGyLDhH0Q/s1600/DSC_0633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEigQvqhwHxsdLCgC8YSUvWBCrJN2foYfqZwTTOY6xqnVlw9GX3bag6jJKIg2lWwO33EQUKem8NzGiKSEuNlBmuRvoLaUXeGZGcIMMq4ZYA4jxeoP03BUJIsZy_ZH6IY47AMGyLDhH0Q/s320/DSC_0633.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was WRJ who championed the sealing of the UK road network, a system which was previously dusty during the Summer, muddy in the Winter, and always a noise nuisance. He promoted the First Severn bridge. He pushed for a UK Road Classification System, dividing the UK into 9 areas, and resulted in all major routes in the South West beginning in the number 3 (A30, A39, A386 etc). WRJ was an exponent of road safety, investing heavily upgrading what he considered an inadequate and hazardous road network in the 1920s and '30s. In 1937 Prime Minister Lloyd George described WRJ as <i>"the greatest authority on roads in the United Kingdom and one of the greatest in the whole world"</i>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4k1io7tGYCs1BIbyYhybIT7mVExVDsNaeZtxdb6E-pF92zRL4EPoVPS5qmGXbMiBeZ6pCTSpK3vdjdflBH0nCZIPFqlRWoIDVueiVV_7CZPQAvl2zduUSJe96BF0H1VSC26N8wKwdO0/s1600/DSC_0636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4k1io7tGYCs1BIbyYhybIT7mVExVDsNaeZtxdb6E-pF92zRL4EPoVPS5qmGXbMiBeZ6pCTSpK3vdjdflBH0nCZIPFqlRWoIDVueiVV_7CZPQAvl2zduUSJe96BF0H1VSC26N8wKwdO0/s320/DSC_0636.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Ahem. Back to my Letterbox walk though. The SSW'ly breeze was in evidence throughout the walk, combined with building clouds, helping to keep me cool. The route was generous on Letterboxes, and, still dreaming of hitting the 16000 landmark this decade, I was grateful of this. I sought more sheltered corner for lunch, out of the wind and perhaps ironically, away from the ever-present road noise!</div>
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It wasn't much of a social experience though. I didn't see another soul walking all day. On current evidence, perhaps the work of Rees Jefferys to link people with the beauty of the countryside had gone to waste.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVQNY5KnUuFMH7Wxj45-JN81aaFCmiqSCPbQixbbFMd7csuVFfLNA_xtK5MAiYEXvJqSW-AuFEFgRFlZDkHeeCt7WsSxJaX2mQ324YgkE_CD9EIQrpNmQTWqNvrbanot5WulVPhzYXuo/s1600/DSC_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVQNY5KnUuFMH7Wxj45-JN81aaFCmiqSCPbQixbbFMd7csuVFfLNA_xtK5MAiYEXvJqSW-AuFEFgRFlZDkHeeCt7WsSxJaX2mQ324YgkE_CD9EIQrpNmQTWqNvrbanot5WulVPhzYXuo/s320/DSC_0635.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Or maybe not. Upon his death in 1954, a legacy trust fund was set up, to help fund training, research and projects which improve the highway network and roadside environment. Aims include a better and safer system with an enhanced experience for road users.</div>
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The fund accepts applications for funds via their webpage (http://www.reesjeffreys.co.uk/) and publishes annual reports. These are available for every year back except 1955-1962, when interestingly the trustee board admit they don't know who got what, and ask the public if they have a copy they could have!</div>
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Besides Dartmoor car parks, the breadth and range of investment projects is heartening. For example, in 2017, the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts was granted £28,000 for a 3 year project tackling flooding through roadside wildflower planting. A noble cause.</div>
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I considered my day out as I drove West into the sunset. 14 Letterboxes found.</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-7194737016119046042018-04-29T11:21:00.003+01:002018-07-31T12:27:00.389+01:00Musings from a bygone age<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4_BYYUu1Lx54V1ysGVuGe4SbRsKNXm8w_6sClcE1I_22r7xsnL_seCTt2VqgPprs-9uxL1iBQX8jwMSaMOPaD7S3VMAZGbO82meh7LAIRwjV3U77ICa5wPjOxH4OtEYiGBI-Q3xUUcs/s1600/_20180428_233152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4_BYYUu1Lx54V1ysGVuGe4SbRsKNXm8w_6sClcE1I_22r7xsnL_seCTt2VqgPprs-9uxL1iBQX8jwMSaMOPaD7S3VMAZGbO82meh7LAIRwjV3U77ICa5wPjOxH4OtEYiGBI-Q3xUUcs/s640/_20180428_233152.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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When we pause to consider why participation in Letterboxing has stalled or declined in the recent decades, its easy to blame the Letterbox thief, or modern pressures on time and disposable income. The truth is, for many Letterboxers, the hobby has evolved too far from the Letterboxing they recall.</div>
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I have just purchased two books by Anne Swinscow which highlight my point. 'Dartmoor Letterboxes' and 'More Dartmoor Letterboxes' strangely never featured in my Dartmoor library. These two volumes, lovingly scribed by the wife of Godfrey "God" Swinscow, provide a fascinating insight into Letterboxing circa 1984. As a snapshot - a moment in time - this pair make a fascinating museum piece. They go into detail of how modern Letterboxing happened, whilst offering humorous anecdotes, memories and stories of a pre-internet pastime.</div>
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Refreshingly, informally written, Anne has captured the playful, witty side of Letterboxing. For example, Chapter 5 of the first book is dedicated to Calveslake Tor's Visitor's book, which in the late 70s/early 80s encouraged all who signed in to write a few rhyming lines to form a Visitor's book full of prose. Chapters describe Letterboxers and their pet cats, and - curiously - pet hens going Letterboxing. Throughout her work, Letterboxers are described by the author as clever, cunning, dedicated, fit and crucially engaged and involved in the direction of Letterboxing. The hobby is clearly young and nimble, repeatedly pushing boundaries. There is an excitement in the author's style which makes the reader wish they could join in today.</div>
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Both published books are punctuated by cartoons, poems and selections of vintage Letterbox stamp collages. They offer the reader a great impression of <i>where the hobby has been</i> as I've described. They offer a vague clue of <i>where it is now</i>, albeit given the high's and lows in the intervening 33 years, the rules and the goal are still the same. Alas, there is no clear indication of <i>where it is heading</i>. Anne considers the "future" as the - then - infant Catalogue and Letterbox chatter over C.B. Radio.</div>
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When people cease this Letterboxing game, perhaps it is because they don't recognise the hobby of yesteryear. Much like comparing black and white images of tweed-clad Victorian gents and ladies posing at a Cranmere Pool cairn to today's images. Having read Anne's books, the differences are all too obvious. How will our technology-led version be viewed in the future, I wonder.</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-50387916188799022352018-03-25T23:29:00.003+01:002018-03-25T23:31:05.418+01:00Caves & Tunnels Of Dartmoor: Over and out<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLfgmsXIPU4q9YdIRS_wZAuCz8oXZf0XQ85b-f6lgSv-RX3OMScjpsvnr1q8bpfPDOD_rCg5BeeYJB1WZxhGaiu2w6jsIofAgh5tGXz6Tz8clVkuWLP6wUeU09164JvCMrxaclTsj8m4/s1600/_20171101_154855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="1600" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLfgmsXIPU4q9YdIRS_wZAuCz8oXZf0XQ85b-f6lgSv-RX3OMScjpsvnr1q8bpfPDOD_rCg5BeeYJB1WZxhGaiu2w6jsIofAgh5tGXz6Tz8clVkuWLP6wUeU09164JvCMrxaclTsj8m4/s400/_20171101_154855.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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My Caves & Tunnels charity walk is now off sale. Thank you to everyone who bought a copy of the clues. The walk remained on site for the full 6 months, so thank you also for looking after the Letterboxes and their sites.</div>
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The walk raised a total of £307.50 for Mid Devon Bat Rescue. An impressive sum for a Winter walk on the Northern Moor!</div>
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Work commitments and bad weather have prevented me from bringing the Letterboxes off the Moor today, but they will definitely be coming of the Moor within a week or two, so be very quick if you have yet to complete the set!</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-79825529395955919712018-03-23T12:26:00.000+00:002018-03-24T23:59:57.571+00:00Mmmm.. Magic boots<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbM_bcCb845t5PI4xC3wbVr0Ey-A2PHthS8jT0nb9BOhSQhvTV4w_-GgV1v6yYa3aHWTRT7F1OeJx6VVg5b2-d1It97oltP6AnoTX7ZmObStkYi640J0ta5v9yF54pY_JbB2Y2GI2el4/s1600/DSC_0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbM_bcCb845t5PI4xC3wbVr0Ey-A2PHthS8jT0nb9BOhSQhvTV4w_-GgV1v6yYa3aHWTRT7F1OeJx6VVg5b2-d1It97oltP6AnoTX7ZmObStkYi640J0ta5v9yF54pY_JbB2Y2GI2el4/s320/DSC_0687.JPG" width="320" /></a>I bought myself some new walking boots in January, and I've been wearing them regularly and often since. I am quite particular about my footwear, so I thought long and hard about the decision.</div>
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For the past 20 years of Letterboxing, I've only worn Meindl leather boots, and considered them to be the best option on the market for me. I've worked in outdoor retail, and have tried and tested many boots, but the Meindl Nepal Pro, and latterly the Meindl Burma Pro's I selected were comfortable, capable, and generally indestructible. They were at home on the Inca Trail, Scottish mountains, snowy streets, and - yes - Letterboxing on Dartmoor. Perhaps they were a little unnecessary for these lowland hills. The 3-4 season boots are crampon compatible, high in the ankle, and at £200, a bit pricey too. But I loved them, and I was reluctant to replace them.</div>
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So why the change? Well, I turned vegan in 2015 and leather is not a material that I felt happy owning or wearing. Whilst the environmentalist in my head could reconcile that these were old boots, and my wearing them out was avoiding textile waste, their Moor days were inevitably numbered. I have been investigating alternatives for a long time.</div>
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Vegan walking boots <i>are</i> a thing. We're talking here about synthetic fabrics (avoiding leather, suede and nubuck) man made linings (ie, no wool), and glues with a conscience (avoiding those derived from animal bone, which is the norm for footwear adhesive). Merrell, Patagonia, Montrail, Zamberlan and Ecco are just a few of the brands which make vegan options.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBKRmN54_Azv6Q9CgfVOOJWkqNTqo9tdgW4r0HW84gN_NfYsURrjow_XoII-b1477FuUlf8bsA42bHDa9rLeWqLFOVEqVqRgR9GZ2BKX41MwX8ebqg82n8vyBlh5qx3165ldFtIkR2_E/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBKRmN54_Azv6Q9CgfVOOJWkqNTqo9tdgW4r0HW84gN_NfYsURrjow_XoII-b1477FuUlf8bsA42bHDa9rLeWqLFOVEqVqRgR9GZ2BKX41MwX8ebqg82n8vyBlh5qx3165ldFtIkR2_E/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" width="180" /></a>I settled on the Innox Mid GTX by German brand Lowa. I wore them out to Ducks Pool and Cranmere Pool recently, and they were put to work as I brought in my Christmas Walk, checked my charity walk and more local wanders, especially during Storm Emma. Here is my verdict...</div>
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<b>Comfort: </b> Straight from the box these boots felt good. Indeed, Lowa pride themselves on comfort as well as durability. The Innox is a lightweight walking boot, and I didn't feel the need to break them in. A well cushioned sole and ankle cuff contrasted starkly with the rather simple construction of my Meindls.</div>
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<b>Weight: </b> 900g per pair. Equivalent to two tins of beans (or 2000 blank postcards) Clearly a very well designed, technically advanced, very lightweight piece of kit.</div>
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<b>Support:</b> Letterboxers clearly spend a lot of their time stood on their feet. But there's a good deal of crouching, squatting, crawling involved too. Flexibility is needed in both boots and wearer. The Lowa's mid sole is stiff enough, but the synthetic, plastic/nylon upper perhaps lacking a bit here. It leaves the feet feeling a bit exposed when clambering over clitter or scrambling around peat hags, but then this boot doesn't claim to be more than a 2 season rock hopper. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZ7gaQZcpGG39FI-3PAQT-7OANEBh6N9C1XAbC5piHRFOdn7H4ZJHeOmLblydyUlLGxoPDotFcrtDBGZRvSnZTpVuEwNnrIGgjBfbweyljbj9SBDaYe0RnUHRPIHtPaf9C4DtmF2Ir6o/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZ7gaQZcpGG39FI-3PAQT-7OANEBh6N9C1XAbC5piHRFOdn7H4ZJHeOmLblydyUlLGxoPDotFcrtDBGZRvSnZTpVuEwNnrIGgjBfbweyljbj9SBDaYe0RnUHRPIHtPaf9C4DtmF2Ir6o/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" width="320" /></a><b>Durability: </b> The Lowa outsole is bearing up very well to granite and tarmac. The lugs underneath aren't too deep, so I expect they will wear down relatively quickly. The fabric uppers bears a few scars of the scrapes in journeys taken, despite initial concerns about the quantity of nylon fabric and stitching involved.</div>
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<b>Waterproofness & breathability:</b> None of my past Meindls have been waterproof - let alone Goretex lined. I'd always resisted waterproof membranes as I had genuine concerns about breathability on warmer days (Letterboxing being a generally fair-weather pursuit!), plus water garnered from crossing a deep bog or stream <i>inside</i> a waterproof boot stays inside. The Goretex in the Lowa's case has held firm, and my feet have been dry after every use.</div>
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<b>Sizing & fit: </b> I selected a UK size 11.5, which compares to my normal shoe size of UK 10. I wear a thin liner sock, and a mid weight walking sock combined. I have average width feet, and these fit comfortably, with mild signs of straining the laces, so they will suit wide footed Letterboxers. There is a combination of D-rings and ski hoots to vary the tightness around the ankle, which is handy.</div>
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<b>Price: </b> The Innox Mid is available from £112-£150 online in a selection of colours. Cotswold and Taunton Leisure stores in Devon both stock Lowa boots too.</div>
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<b>In summary:</b> A comfortable, lightweight all-rounder - perfectly suited to Letterboxing. Recommend.</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-24746816009245068342018-02-28T16:24:00.000+00:002018-02-28T21:29:02.261+00:00A focus on the future... funding and finance<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacXx2zZjn9vuDtqtIgI7vBeeNsQwHmR9CJYdr0AltAV1JxIXs_C3RvkAmt5jXYsUX7T-ZfwYZxLNvzZgPy4d8TZTgOenNti2Zmd520Tin4-cT7-JNZXEjSwYeU9IT7Gh2qql8PwSq7MA/s1600/DSC_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacXx2zZjn9vuDtqtIgI7vBeeNsQwHmR9CJYdr0AltAV1JxIXs_C3RvkAmt5jXYsUX7T-ZfwYZxLNvzZgPy4d8TZTgOenNti2Zmd520Tin4-cT7-JNZXEjSwYeU9IT7Gh2qql8PwSq7MA/s640/DSC_0062.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A failed Dartmoor venture: Financial and stone ruins of Rattlebrook Peat Works, which shut in the 1930s depression.</i></td></tr>
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We live in austere times. Uncertainty, stagnation, a response to the great recession, political ideology, "Brexit", whatever the reasons, the UK's national parks are experiencing a purse-string-tightening unlike any other witnessed since their creation.</div>
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Central government - through DEFRA - fund our National Parks, and they provide the Park Authorities an annual budget in the form of a grant. For Dartmoor, this grant was cut by 25% between 2010 and 2016. Although it did rise slightly by just over 1.7% in 2017 to a total of around £3.6 million. </div>
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Parking fees, other charges, external grant support and interest boost this figure by a further £1 million. The National Park Authority are proud of their ability to source additional and external funding. They have consistently delivered, albeit small, budget surpluses (leftover cash). The park authority does though rely on partnerships and external funding sources to fulfil it's statutory requirements. By joining forces with the 14 other National Parks, Dartmoor can sign commercial agreements (signed by Colombia sportswear and Air Wick air fresheners in recent years) which mutually benefit them all.</div>
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A host of partnership agreements are in operation: tackling invasive plants, promoting hill farming, supporting community well-being. Butterfly Conservation, MOD, South West Lakes Trust, Sport England, Devon Wildlife Trust all provide knowledge and finance for ongoing projects. 'Moor Than Meets The Eye' is a partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund that has provided a 5-year, £4 million deal intended to help promote understanding of the landscape and 4000 years of Dartmoor history. Paths and archaeological sites are being regularly maintained by volunteers. The British Mountaineering Council and Devon County Council are fundraising to fix or create Dartmoor paths. </div>
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In recent years, we have seen the prospect of pay and display car parking replacing honesty boxes, a decline in Tourist Information services, reduced public transport options, and an economy drive including a 25% reduction in National Park staff. Via the Steering Group, we have seen how MOD austerity has prevented much of the landscape work connected to byelaw reviews from taking place such as flagpole removal and Holming Beam hut replacement.</div>
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Last year, the National Park Authority set aside £140,000 worth of reserves for a Public Arts Initiative titled Moor Otters. 100 giant ceramic otters were individually painted and displayed on an 'Otter Trail' around the Moor. It was hoped that through sponsorship, donations and the eventual auction sale of the 100 otters, a healthy return could be made on the investment. Project goals included attracting new visitors to Dartmoor, supporting the local economy, and bringing an environmental message to local schools through a 'Mini Otters' initiative. The whole scheme generated a £62,000 surplus. Perhaps the future will be through many more innovative projects as this.</div>
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We return to the first line of this post: Central Government fund our National Parks. DEFRA have pledged funding until 2020. Beyond this, and in light of loss of EU financing following 'Brexit', it remains to be seen how our National Parks will be paid for. Commercial agreements and partnerships will continue to play a part of course. Yet will groups such as Letterboxers be <i>expected</i> to contribute time (through volunteering) or money (through Park entrance fees) to enjoy Dartmoor? Ten Tor teams are encouraged to pay up as they participate. Have Letterboxes been considered as a potential income stream by the DNPA?</div>
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The begging bowl is still out there! The Park Authority's own <a href="http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/wildlife-and-heritage/our-conservation-work/donate-for-dartmoor" target="_blank">Donate for Dartmoor webpage</a> is still live, and welcomes any sum offered. Get your purses and wallets out!</div>
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<i>More here:</i></div>
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<i>Key Financial Systems Review, October 2017, Dartmoor National Park Authority</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1095350/20180202-A-and-G-Reports.compressed.pdf"><i>http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1095350/20180202-A-and-G-Reports.compressed.pdf</i></a></div>
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<i>Audited Statement of Accounts - 2016/7, Dartmoor National Park Authority. </i></div>
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<a href="http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/983313/2016-17-Audited-Statement-of-Accounts-Final.pdf"><i>http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/983313/2016-17-Audited-Statement-of-Accounts-Final.pdf</i></a></div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-33279273071960132052018-02-21T15:02:00.000+00:002018-07-31T22:55:21.790+01:00A focus on the future... flora and fauna<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFlAQ3jRnqE4cRxM1E2P0gUKNIElUmq2MnFRPJpp80XoFAjgQgpWlbDQEOPapUAodMmA91zHu2rtF8iImxa8dxs1CtwNgK099I4qR4L4SVtN3ue7Jbz7d-6KAAl0BYRlaArYu_TG2tEU/s1600/DSC_0483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFlAQ3jRnqE4cRxM1E2P0gUKNIElUmq2MnFRPJpp80XoFAjgQgpWlbDQEOPapUAodMmA91zHu2rtF8iImxa8dxs1CtwNgK099I4qR4L4SVtN3ue7Jbz7d-6KAAl0BYRlaArYu_TG2tEU/s640/DSC_0483.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
My 12 months of Letterboxing challenges is over. I've challenged myself, and I feel more motivated than ever. I've thought a great deal, and considered the hobby and it's place in my life a lot. I've seen places, people, and 'boxes in a new and refreshing light. I can focus firmly on the future. I'm planning new series and new blog posts.</div>
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But what of this future? What is Dartmoor going to look like? What do the experts and the authorities say? First up:</div>
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<b><u>A changing climate</u></b></div>
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In the latest minutes of the Dartmoor Steering Group (from last November's meeting) the question was raised on how a changing climate was affecting vegetation on the Moor. Vegetation which can both help and hinder Letterboxers and Letterboxing in equal measure. Just witness how Wistman's Wood has doubled in size in the last 100 years. See how the flora and fauna of Tavy Cleave has become impenetrable in places. How gorse is flourishing in more favourable conditions. </div>
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A Climate Strategy document produced by Devon County Council in 2005 shows trends for temperature and rainfall for years between 1920 and 2000. A mean average temperature rise of 0.8 degrees since 1900 and a significant rise in precipitation since the 1970s are shown. Does this information appear a little out of date? Whilst no further charts have been produced by the council, the upward trends have continued, with local, national and international records being broken on an almost annual basis, according to the <a href="https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/201801" target="_blank">NOAA</a>.<br />
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According to Met Office projections: by 2050, even when using the most optimistic greenhouse gas emission estimates, Western Dartmoor will experience around a further 20% increase in Winter precipitation, though Summer precipitation will decrease by a similarly large amount. Summer and Winter mean temperatures will increase by between 1.8 and 2.5 degrees respectively. In summary, this will result more droughts, more flooding, and inevitable changes to levels of vegetation. Ferns and grasses will see considerable growth under these circumstances.</div>
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Bracken is one plant which will spread extensively in a changing climate. The DNPA has tried (and generally failed) to use aerial photography since the turn of the 21st century to witness how climatic change (reduced late frosts and extended growing seasons) has aided Bracken's spread. Bracken does have it's benefits: it is great as a wildlife habitat. Ring ouzel, High brown fritillary butterflies and 11 unique invertebrates are among some of the key species that rely on bracken on Dartmoor. However, on the down-side, it is a carcinogenic plant, it can be poisonous to livestock, is associated with tick numbers and Lyme disease. It reduces grazing land, reduces access to the Moor in Summer and Autumn, damages archaeological sites, and crowds out other vegetation, such as heather.</div>
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The Park authority have admitted that the distribution of bracken on Dartmoor is little studied. The last study was in 1994. <a href="http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/59555/bracken_briefing_note_oct_2009.pdf" target="_blank">A briefing document</a> in 2009 coincided with the <a href="file:///C:/Users/Ian/Downloads/SIN011[1]%20(1).pdf" target="_blank">2008 release</a> of Natural England technical documents. None of these provided data on the extent of bracken's spread, the condition of which remains unsubstantiated. </div>
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As a general principle, Natural England affirm that it is unlikely that bracken could ever be eradicated from a site. Chemical treatment often poisons watercourses, and never lasts longer than 10 years. Mechanical treatment is difficult in rocky, uneven terrain. Cutting or rolling bracken reduces it's density but doesn't tackle it's vigour. Ploughing is often impossible, leaving just trampling as the only remaining control tactic.</div>
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Bring on the Letterboxers!</div>
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I mentioned that the subject was raised in the latest Steering Group minutes. The Steering Group - you'll remember - is a working party of stakeholders who annually review the impact of the military on the Moor. The Duchy of Cornwall's Bailiff (of 12 years) David Marino was asked what steps were being taken to monitor changes in Dartmoor vegetation. In reply, he indicated that he "had been looking into the matter and had come to the conclusion that although some areas had changed [he] did not consider it too serious to require monitoring". Lt Col Crispin d'Apice, new Ten Tor's chief, and Training Safety Officer for the MOD in the South West, "suggested that the Dartmoor training estate had not identified any impacts from the changing climate". Apart from - one presumes - the rapid pace of erosion repair, improving conditions for Ten Tor's weekend, and the MOD-funded breeding bird surveys which he mentioned earlier in the Steering Group meeting. A case right there that an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information is merely a statement lacking rigorous proving.</div>
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What will rigorous proof require? There's a contentious subject. Next up in my future of Dartmoor focus: Money.</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-20832014537264627402018-01-20T12:36:00.000+00:002018-01-20T12:37:39.590+00:00Challenge 12: ✔️ Achieved<div style="text-align: justify;">
Challenge 12: REVISIT THE FAMOUS 'POOLS'</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKn0-FUIzjxIneWyaanm9MyNMam9XuwNkMxHOFhbf1pAfitffXuB6wyR3b84XjPmMIBfgpvasBSTh9nRjmInsD9mvSWQwOQxtggPYdz4YBaS7fow1JnKWX7viuiACUDzLVBW4d1egKTc/s1600/DSC_0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKn0-FUIzjxIneWyaanm9MyNMam9XuwNkMxHOFhbf1pAfitffXuB6wyR3b84XjPmMIBfgpvasBSTh9nRjmInsD9mvSWQwOQxtggPYdz4YBaS7fow1JnKWX7viuiACUDzLVBW4d1egKTc/s320/DSC_0818.JPG" width="320" /></a>Cranmere Pool and Duck's Pool. Two remote and wild locations. Two iconic and historic Letterboxes.</div>
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Established and endorsed by the establishment, marked on the maps. Maintained by Park Rangers and visited by "the masses". Oh, and two woven badges are available - if you collect such things!</div>
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These two, sited some 85 years apart have come to symbolise the hobby for many people. A destination and a justification. A home in a far away land.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4h7LdeoNv3QkGJw48hRP4SvXpz2J9NZFvfNtzgTcwq8DzONXKQk314sePmuRArjSoqINTHsKiQjUZDTSjxcymeZaKqoCMtMGwlaAxpwWCAYMMtjKMYcFGfsbUu5C8vlG9ZTkOIpvalf4/s1600/DSC_0793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4h7LdeoNv3QkGJw48hRP4SvXpz2J9NZFvfNtzgTcwq8DzONXKQk314sePmuRArjSoqINTHsKiQjUZDTSjxcymeZaKqoCMtMGwlaAxpwWCAYMMtjKMYcFGfsbUu5C8vlG9ZTkOIpvalf4/s320/DSC_0793.JPG" width="320" /></a>Perhaps it is no wonder that it is Cranmere Pool and Duck's Pool retain their lure on Letterboxers, walkers and other Moor users. Reaching such mid-moor locations at any time of the year, especially midwinter, provides a target, a mission. A challenge even.</div>
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Now, Cranmere Pool. There's somewhere I haven't been in some time...</div>
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This week, I carefully chose a weather window, between the snow and the ice and the gales, to visit the 'original' Dartmoor Letterbox. I last visited here on New Year's Day 2012, on my way out to Fur Tor from Row Tor. This destination was the subject of a couple of blog posts. The walk (<a href="http://who-is-the-challenger.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/fur-tor-north-new-years-day-2012.html" target="_blank">here</a>), and my announcement (<a href="http://who-is-the-challenger.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/that-morning.html?m=0" target="_blank">here</a>) of it, proved to be my undoing as an anonymous blogger though...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdjfpgicvqT_VVDQSn6H1LLsC7uD-o9oNCjQTdYlnSwG-n0kQmfQvQQQAyqTUGTw5tu78PB2cb4_gHbqB40L3P9b4B6EoGCeXUVjDX9FmWsCqmv4qVPZAHe3TiEor6WeTOFOZn3a7NLM/s1600/DSC_0799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdjfpgicvqT_VVDQSn6H1LLsC7uD-o9oNCjQTdYlnSwG-n0kQmfQvQQQAyqTUGTw5tu78PB2cb4_gHbqB40L3P9b4B6EoGCeXUVjDX9FmWsCqmv4qVPZAHe3TiEor6WeTOFOZn3a7NLM/s320/DSC_0799.JPG" width="320" /></a>I've subsequently visited Hangingstone Hill and OP15, but not ventured this far out until now. I parked - as is now convention - at Row Tor, and walked the 5 miles or so up the former Ring Road to OP15 and followed tracks and boggy paths past Ockerton Court, down the peat pass, and up the West Okement river to the famous concrete and stone box.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lh_3F-RZjz6C25BU_l3gZrYENNigPHiqDFqfBJDoC-H8vO_mwX7KwsWEWPdwaai1DJLJ2TTF3OT4ym7SBL1FcHxwpj-ijv1RvI9fI6hl6EB1jLYiDOJadzMp8wVpWQ_sMO1hjesXB0I/s1600/DSC_0803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lh_3F-RZjz6C25BU_l3gZrYENNigPHiqDFqfBJDoC-H8vO_mwX7KwsWEWPdwaai1DJLJ2TTF3OT4ym7SBL1FcHxwpj-ijv1RvI9fI6hl6EB1jLYiDOJadzMp8wVpWQ_sMO1hjesXB0I/s320/DSC_0803.JPG" width="320" /></a>The storm clouds brewed and stirred. I dodged a few showers, and was pelted by others. A wintery mix of sleet and cold rain in stong West-North West winds. I was so determined to reach Cranmere Pool, that I was happy to suffer the worst of weathers. I had a very short list of other boxes to find along the way. As it happened I searched for none of them. I only had one target in mind. Reaching Cranmere would complete this challenge, and complete my year of challenges. I had toyed with an idea early in 2017 of doing a Letterbox walk which encompassed Duck's Pool AND Cranmere Pool. A pilgrimage if you will. Although this never happened, these two independent trips in two weeks have made challenging Mid-Winter hikes in themselves.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuSzBXWxkWp5DT7wzWNeuowYBCLlgHmE8Kyh70Wa7CCVYPb_WgQJedVDgZWHRQlbec-ACN5DtB9wrymbzbB3uzSgwbhNYJC6i98rPaUngAZVJNNeGHIAnDCOjw-GBQ5htyxqfq_ndxbg/s1600/_20180118_095147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1105" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuSzBXWxkWp5DT7wzWNeuowYBCLlgHmE8Kyh70Wa7CCVYPb_WgQJedVDgZWHRQlbec-ACN5DtB9wrymbzbB3uzSgwbhNYJC6i98rPaUngAZVJNNeGHIAnDCOjw-GBQ5htyxqfq_ndxbg/s320/_20180118_095147.JPG" width="221" /></a>The shallow depression at Cranmere Pool was dotted with icy ponds and snow gathered on all sides. I ducked down in the shelter of the box to check out the contents, hoping beyond everything else that all parts were present and correct. The visitor's book was replaced recently. The stamps (both of them) were in good order too. I was pleased with an entry on page 5 of the book, with the previous visitor (who merely initialed "D.K") checking in 3 days previously. This is far from the hey-day of this Letterbox, when an average of 14 people visited <i>every</i> day. I was only the second stamp carrying Letterboxer in the book, following 'Box Hunter' who - just as I did 6 years earlier - clocked in on New Years Day.</div>
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Curiously, I noticed a possible glaring error in the introduction to this new book. It indicates that the Prince of Wales visited Cranmere in 1906, perhaps mislead by the WMN clippings stuck inside the 1906 book (<a href="http://who-is-the-challenger.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/challenge-5-achieved.html" target="_blank">as my blog detailed here</a>). Yet I can find no evidence of George V, when as Prince of Wales, making this Dartmoor walk.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXKbEfXAq8LYofFop6Asq3MICJj0LjThU2SNHRAWEwwOgwhzrnFJ_1R4croXbF4CQGVaOen3tS0lnv_2tWjZBhTiFcSNVambgdyAOMGIa20295tAoVMZIpe5_TcEt5n55MmUMjhsrasw/s1600/DSC_0839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXKbEfXAq8LYofFop6Asq3MICJj0LjThU2SNHRAWEwwOgwhzrnFJ_1R4croXbF4CQGVaOen3tS0lnv_2tWjZBhTiFcSNVambgdyAOMGIa20295tAoVMZIpe5_TcEt5n55MmUMjhsrasw/s320/DSC_0839.JPG" width="320" /></a>Normal rules don't apply at Cranmere, as at Duck's Pool. I have these stamps already, and I have stamped the book several times in history, but I always repeat the process here. Unlike any other letterboxes, this is standard practise here. 'Why?' I pondered. I packed up as quickly as possible, aware that the weather was due to worsen during the afternoon. I put my head down and stomped back to Ockerton Court, and OP15 beyond. I climbed in to the military shelter to add layers and have some refreshment out of the cold wind.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jqFYLdvJyPvkmJI-KNi0rNpS0UydInK9f_Km7yxs_LBRoYKTAM9jOPbKSq-cRva_P40QtQBv95uOiOe945HVgc9xbKYssGo-0UUkzT03miIepQTnAQcz7HWUmBc_7nMG156mxAyTGFE/s1600/DSC_0814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jqFYLdvJyPvkmJI-KNi0rNpS0UydInK9f_Km7yxs_LBRoYKTAM9jOPbKSq-cRva_P40QtQBv95uOiOe945HVgc9xbKYssGo-0UUkzT03miIepQTnAQcz7HWUmBc_7nMG156mxAyTGFE/s320/DSC_0814.JPG" width="320" /></a>The long walk back to Row Tor down the metalled army track allowed me time to reflect on this final challenge. I believe that most Letterboxers will make the journey at least once during their Letterboxing days to both these distant outposts. I know many Letterboxers consider Duck's Pool and Cranmere Pool now out of reach - a walk too far. Perhaps the aging Letterboxing population can no longer make up the majority of visitors, yet perhaps Duck's Pool and Cranmere Pool can help spark the imagination and enthusiasm of a next generation of Letterboxers. The D of E'ers who scribble their names in the Duck's Pool book have real potential to be inspired to go Letterboxing. Perhaps "D.K." who visited Cranmere before me, could be encouraged to go home and have a personal stamp made. The responsibility of these two Letterboxes is huge, but the responsibility of those who maintain and look after them is bigger. Ensuring they are in good condition, that the books are replaced when full, that they are stored appropriately for future generations. To quickly make repairs, replace missing stamps efficiently, and ensure details in the books - contact details, Letterbox history, how to get involved, etc) are informative, helpful and most of all correct.</div>
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These Letterboxes are our hobby's most formal ambassadors - elder statesmen, if you prefer. We should treat them with respect, and they should reflect well on our hobby. As I complete my year of challenges I have grown to respect these boxes even more, and I promise that I will return again soon.</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-74104809043662583412018-01-15T11:47:00.002+00:002018-01-15T11:47:21.129+00:00Long time, no see<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUXrQXS7Wh6bNmJTED469R8WotJ6C6FarWG8rVS3yIqxfYDWIG72aChVBcJQoxkrntqUy8NJOqiryC803qoqaSgrn6KByQbnHzDpaxoIm9RQD2ITiQrKDIKz4NhxysY5Vcy8amZe4M-c/s1600/DSC_0690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUXrQXS7Wh6bNmJTED469R8WotJ6C6FarWG8rVS3yIqxfYDWIG72aChVBcJQoxkrntqUy8NJOqiryC803qoqaSgrn6KByQbnHzDpaxoIm9RQD2ITiQrKDIKz4NhxysY5Vcy8amZe4M-c/s320/DSC_0690.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Duck's Pool - there's somewhere I haven't been in a while. This was a thought that went round my head at New Year. As I was bedridden with flu, I was mulling over the walks I wanted to do, and boxes I wanted to find early in 2018.</div>
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This one was top of my list. You will remember that in June last year, I discovered the location of Duck's Pool's visitor's books, and took time to study the first one from 1938. I recall reading comments from members of the Archaeological Exploration Society who had made regular visits from their field trip base at Redlake Tip. I remember the dedication shown by the Dobson Moormen (who first created the permanent William Crossing Memorial and Letterbox at the Pool) to visit and maintain the site.</div>
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Yet I had not been to Duck's Pool in nearly 10 years. Time to return.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVvG0JuOJBtBYk_jdYMoHKuLC6ylhLrN9sFgoal0EewR2Vsiq7pG6y_xLtazvnmkgKYnmYG-YSxYm4XKuLImjrdPS_R9nSbDJ9ZJ0FE4Q1QzcD0NMFdtXiaq-u-OuMv8GUycDk-Sm26A/s1600/DSC_0705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVvG0JuOJBtBYk_jdYMoHKuLC6ylhLrN9sFgoal0EewR2Vsiq7pG6y_xLtazvnmkgKYnmYG-YSxYm4XKuLImjrdPS_R9nSbDJ9ZJ0FE4Q1QzcD0NMFdtXiaq-u-OuMv8GUycDk-Sm26A/s320/DSC_0705.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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I parked below Gutter Tor, near the scout hut, which on the day of my visit was home to a large number of military reservists, who were being put through their paces around the compound. The weather was cool, but their was no wind, no clouds, and hardly another soul on the Moor. I set off in high spirits up the Eylesbarrow track. I was pursued very slowly by a mountain biker, who was carefully picking a decent route up the rutted path. **Note to BMC: This track could do with investment through that <a href="https://www.thebmc.co.uk/mend-our-mountains-returns-with-1-million-target-for-britains-bestloved-landscapes" target="_blank">Mend the Mountains fund</a> currently being raised for the Nuns Cross side of Eylesbarrow!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0PytRkbWaTEjZUVnTsekn7QYsgoRO-HGTh-WprOLQw0To8LtdCe928YzQ9UJSLGsLEvWzGWipL0Ka6jaX9-tHpbtlstSOonTak0qQIJAmHou9RCZ818Ig4l3AfN7cUucHTfdODmrnE8/s1600/DSC_0710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0PytRkbWaTEjZUVnTsekn7QYsgoRO-HGTh-WprOLQw0To8LtdCe928YzQ9UJSLGsLEvWzGWipL0Ka6jaX9-tHpbtlstSOonTak0qQIJAmHou9RCZ818Ig4l3AfN7cUucHTfdODmrnE8/s320/DSC_0710.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpXMU-w9shtOndVTPu7UfMwCDjQkFxhtdLV1akXB_rz9QNjFSkdQjyNIhIE5AEXRjJVnbFK1ivJUA332d-MV0yo0ttH3CSwTyEyiujRlLnkEKs7AtZwiCajYzlFFPtNZZkPlEsZKBMa4/s1600/DSC_0712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpXMU-w9shtOndVTPu7UfMwCDjQkFxhtdLV1akXB_rz9QNjFSkdQjyNIhIE5AEXRjJVnbFK1ivJUA332d-MV0yo0ttH3CSwTyEyiujRlLnkEKs7AtZwiCajYzlFFPtNZZkPlEsZKBMa4/s320/DSC_0712.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Once past boggy ground, I struck off towards the Hartor Tors and the Plym. My first real destination of Letterboxing substance was Calveslake Tor, which is off the beaten path for many walks other than this one. Calveslake Tor proved successful for Letterboxing as always. Though I was soon on my way to Great Gnats Head - high on the hill above. I revelled in the easy terrain and fast pace. Once the summit was reached, I was up on the great South Plateau. The generally featureless, peaty, boggy central expanse of the Southern Moor, including Nakers, Green, Skir and Crane Hills. Plus the headwaters of the Plym, Erme, Avon and Swincombe. I splashed across to Ducks Pool to find the area almost exactly as I recalled it in my mind.</div>
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I headed straight to the Crossing Memorial, where the original 1938 Letterbox is sited. I was alarmed by what I found. The box is on site, but the stamp was missing. In the metal container was a word-of-mouth Letterbox originally sited in 1999. Activity in both visitor's books suggest both events occurred between May and July of 2017.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wqqRLpi8eMvsoqcVMdg65hK1Cr65UhZvVSLx8zXihlH-MXxugJhK9YwW4SXKQRav5J9z0T-XdnrXTSxlLSPor53ox9u1vsM-VokRDfYbgLvIQvijopxpiip9o03XHwMDjCuuNNust2U/s1600/DSC_0726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wqqRLpi8eMvsoqcVMdg65hK1Cr65UhZvVSLx8zXihlH-MXxugJhK9YwW4SXKQRav5J9z0T-XdnrXTSxlLSPor53ox9u1vsM-VokRDfYbgLvIQvijopxpiip9o03XHwMDjCuuNNust2U/s320/DSC_0726.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The overwhelming majority of visitors who left their mark in the original box's book (which has been on site since 2016) were day hikers, Duke of Edinburgh participants and Ten Tor'ers. The last visitor called in on December 6th. Some 5 weeks before me. This seems an extraordinary long time, even by Duck's Pool standards. I vowed to contact the custodian of Ducks Pool Letterbox on my return home. I stamped the book myself, and continued my Letterboxing in and around the valley, but the sun was dipping low and thoughts turned towards my return home.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9PfyJ1fQdGV_hGFZc73qjRT2_QlqIcogmhWTRnhsv_51uvptQGIaeB_b_-JeecTP0j7oJhrwvXSTrekt-wnKzuE2TqJdjVvZEZQpRvliY3u3V524ATRFCgfP_6RBeB6wNVYexPn9LlI/s1600/DSC_0725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9PfyJ1fQdGV_hGFZc73qjRT2_QlqIcogmhWTRnhsv_51uvptQGIaeB_b_-JeecTP0j7oJhrwvXSTrekt-wnKzuE2TqJdjVvZEZQpRvliY3u3V524ATRFCgfP_6RBeB6wNVYexPn9LlI/s320/DSC_0725.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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I aimed for Plym Head, then downstream to Plym Ford and the track that would lead me back to the car. I found a few boxes at Crane Lake and Evil Combe as I passed by. The sun setting ahead of me made for incredible photography and a very visual indication of how long I had to get to Gutter Tor car park.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNN-v6is5lacanXmVU_Epmwv30EyXBJZOGWepip1vr7Le_o2inp5U16juNaip0oLd_OaHx9-a8UQg8DwO0L9tTeIEr8HqUSGFwaElkLnME1RRfAM2S3N0MB_UXl1hPDHNP4-DgJCqICA/s1600/DSC_0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNN-v6is5lacanXmVU_Epmwv30EyXBJZOGWepip1vr7Le_o2inp5U16juNaip0oLd_OaHx9-a8UQg8DwO0L9tTeIEr8HqUSGFwaElkLnME1RRfAM2S3N0MB_UXl1hPDHNP4-DgJCqICA/s320/DSC_0733.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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My day out at had been successful as a Letterbox walk. Ducks Pool was surprising due the state that it was in, although it should shortly be back up to standard. As far as my walks go, it was the furthest I'd been in some months, which gives me confidence for forthcoming routes planned.</div>
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I urge everyone who can to (re)visit Ducks Pool, to make their mark in the book, and support the maintenance of part of our hobby's heritage. Maybe the journey will surprise you too.</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-83420505122243126642017-12-21T20:44:00.001+00:002018-02-25T21:58:11.686+00:00Challenge 11: ✔️ Achieved<div style="text-align: justify;">
Challenge 11: SITE A CHRISTMAS LETTERBOX SERIES</div>
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Here we go then!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QC5UNO-k73MevOPeYZ0W4knsiHFn3dqbzM13O4I1u8vCVtrTKxDrNxMGcsuiEaDlY3ELfr-qyr2vwBrP3RbeyVrjo3G6RpjwZ4IZtFqQ6YATYSIaw_lHbix5CF_BfvhvRAwNx80YCb8/s1600/DSC_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QC5UNO-k73MevOPeYZ0W4knsiHFn3dqbzM13O4I1u8vCVtrTKxDrNxMGcsuiEaDlY3ELfr-qyr2vwBrP3RbeyVrjo3G6RpjwZ4IZtFqQ6YATYSIaw_lHbix5CF_BfvhvRAwNx80YCb8/s640/DSC_0332.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><u>whoisthechallenger's Christmas Tree Walk</u></b></div>
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<b>Statts Bridge</b><br />
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<b>West Cottages </b> </div>
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<b>Walla Brook</b> <br />
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<b>Vitifer Tin Mine</b> <br />
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<b>Warren House Inn</b> </div>
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<b>Water Hill </b> </div>
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<b>Caroline Farm</b> <br />
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This walk has now been removed from the Moor. <br />
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I'll be back with the twelfth and final <i>Challenge</i> in January! I'd like to wish all my blog readers a very Merry Christmas!</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-14705168599266615912017-12-16T21:21:00.001+00:002017-12-19T10:07:00.573+00:00Friday, December 15th 2017<div style="text-align: justify;">
A Letterbox walk!! At last!!</div>
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Eager as ever to get out Dartmoor Letterboxing, as well as visiting somewhere slightly different, I've been building up to <i>this</i> one since the Meet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfzbYU3LH0sc-CsBxOQL-vYIKSfFehvhsRC29joE4NUIogx3rZg0gd5pYG7_PoX0QiFzb0oERZfVSx5cmsZBjRNs77ltMLU56HUobD5axZMENP74UbaaMJAQGZObMR3ZrgJHuKFmxajk/s1600/DSC_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfzbYU3LH0sc-CsBxOQL-vYIKSfFehvhsRC29joE4NUIogx3rZg0gd5pYG7_PoX0QiFzb0oERZfVSx5cmsZBjRNs77ltMLU56HUobD5axZMENP74UbaaMJAQGZObMR3ZrgJHuKFmxajk/s320/DSC_0412.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NKE1NXW4yj7ZSJxrSCS1PewTdO8PRqm2ZHsN-7OxWwhgEqL3SnWH-zPAqinLNIDPGnr44aO_5wRIiOZojoXRTWaiF3hxh4raMBZuHQ7BjxEY0q1IhMutMEK2GSG_TaQMscSRjqDMFwE/s1600/DSC_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NKE1NXW4yj7ZSJxrSCS1PewTdO8PRqm2ZHsN-7OxWwhgEqL3SnWH-zPAqinLNIDPGnr44aO_5wRIiOZojoXRTWaiF3hxh4raMBZuHQ7BjxEY0q1IhMutMEK2GSG_TaQMscSRjqDMFwE/s200/DSC_0418.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-g2lF82bD9cqzOO6ORK-4IgrQHBaVm2-RDNek9eO6QCwB8zhjX4ZEHTCBom4Kx_JNDYdY226QtrTN8IuYIcVfuPS0i4T60MCnTE02hTd7XscXTfqKtQ5yaGQw0eCsv4iquhIvqq9TiM4/s1600/DSC_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-g2lF82bD9cqzOO6ORK-4IgrQHBaVm2-RDNek9eO6QCwB8zhjX4ZEHTCBom4Kx_JNDYdY226QtrTN8IuYIcVfuPS0i4T60MCnTE02hTd7XscXTfqKtQ5yaGQw0eCsv4iquhIvqq9TiM4/s200/DSC_0446.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1rVptUM6JSO65gayukouQFJvX9bWgQDNDJSjXheJ_bEPNc-e98SLEeKSXdMgScrynh1MGY-YsOvF3oBcrsk5CczoOeivHMwn2WKwJ-C3zBVrdwjRx7ICml6cZfrhn9DkZ7ZMG_TjqiQ/s1600/DSC_0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1rVptUM6JSO65gayukouQFJvX9bWgQDNDJSjXheJ_bEPNc-e98SLEeKSXdMgScrynh1MGY-YsOvF3oBcrsk5CczoOeivHMwn2WKwJ-C3zBVrdwjRx7ICml6cZfrhn9DkZ7ZMG_TjqiQ/s320/DSC_0456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A charity walk - sited in aid of the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust - was out around Bellever Tor and Lakehead Hill. A unique area given: i) the interaction between conifers and granite in the landscape, ii) a wealth of bronze age antiquities of which many are incredibly well preserved and, iii) a location in the middle of the Moor with 360-degree views of higher, surrounding peaks.</div>
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I began my walk, as the highly detailed charity walk instructions prescribed: at Postbridge. I was not alone at the car park. Within moments though, I was, as the only other car owner walked their dog through the Forestry Commission gate, and drove away. So I was in no doubt that the forest paths would be peaceful, my Letterboxing undisturbed and deer sightings would be probable.</div>
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Conditions were favourable, though the going underfoot was a bit wet. The air was dry and crisp. The wind northerly and brisk. I wandered up to Kraps Ring feeling very positive.</div>
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The route takes a path straight over Lakehead Hill - I consider this a rather neglected place on Dartmoor by Letterboxers. Plantations and trees have almost claimed the whole hill, but what holds them at bay is the large quantity of kistvaens, settlements, stone rows and circles found here. It is well explored, preserved and protected, which is good to see.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXotSKEeqKDjIh4aPG-VItkn9Eq10b5dq7AdAyGGkyP3_imAGTtv_l9RTJmM9gJ0NkLoS02TlnwDpSAyZhDu99GV54SPibtjZ06pwaUYIlzVAaC3FKt5fSkNp0gKbnQsBKOKtxipMSzI/s1600/DSC_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXotSKEeqKDjIh4aPG-VItkn9Eq10b5dq7AdAyGGkyP3_imAGTtv_l9RTJmM9gJ0NkLoS02TlnwDpSAyZhDu99GV54SPibtjZ06pwaUYIlzVAaC3FKt5fSkNp0gKbnQsBKOKtxipMSzI/s200/DSC_0473.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvehTABf-ff0JM6fKfrdC83_3T-d3ykchNdiGdE74rhfVdt1SrcFmedem8DXfSqg55mzH8BATCj3mwwqlWZi3xHKJLjvmAwNeEvpVfQUfZMRosZHzZ6nOGcnj3MWiPQDkrtP5ov5uvRaw/s1600/DSC_0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvehTABf-ff0JM6fKfrdC83_3T-d3ykchNdiGdE74rhfVdt1SrcFmedem8DXfSqg55mzH8BATCj3mwwqlWZi3xHKJLjvmAwNeEvpVfQUfZMRosZHzZ6nOGcnj3MWiPQDkrtP5ov5uvRaw/s320/DSC_0466.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WFWM2zhGhggupwZ_nt5F-Ds7y15a5JjGbn4YTbnz8nlOUOnC6PlkfqEUMxyFk0iHV6nKPWz7MpvEbTUbDHQtVQN6DQaTdCNmK9FJ1FKDPLFQozKruFtLIsayQsuGzBhy0wsUUcuQbNg/s1600/DSC_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WFWM2zhGhggupwZ_nt5F-Ds7y15a5JjGbn4YTbnz8nlOUOnC6PlkfqEUMxyFk0iHV6nKPWz7MpvEbTUbDHQtVQN6DQaTdCNmK9FJ1FKDPLFQozKruFtLIsayQsuGzBhy0wsUUcuQbNg/s320/DSC_0492.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsIw5I7WxmBtcvPinm7WhvRSDYHfWVasz-7rgXfC6oOSVNmrEA4pF1IRLkCd5aov2y75wkHfR7z5JYgEXuHTYw1a2jxLB2hL_44F_cfpIxxLgoJqp0Vvw5jTcupaMB-A4bQgoPyIKzNg/s1600/DSC_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsIw5I7WxmBtcvPinm7WhvRSDYHfWVasz-7rgXfC6oOSVNmrEA4pF1IRLkCd5aov2y75wkHfR7z5JYgEXuHTYw1a2jxLB2hL_44F_cfpIxxLgoJqp0Vvw5jTcupaMB-A4bQgoPyIKzNg/s200/DSC_0487.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Beyond Lakehead Hill, I came across the ancient Lych Way, running from Bellever to Lydford. One of Dartmoor's most legendary of long distance paths. My route didn't follow it, but headed straight on to Bellever Tor's Western flanks. I had no time to visit the summit <a href="http://who-is-the-challenger.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/wednesday-october-6th-2010.html" target="_blank">as I last did back in 2010</a>. Instead I stuck rigidly to the charity walk's notes, and made for the wall which separated Bellever from Laughter Tor. It was a cracking walk really, which led you into the forest on occasions. Combined with the curious Wintry light - enhanced by an oncoming rain shower (as I encountered) meant that although the spruce plantation is relatively artificial, the walker could form a real connection with the forest. A real connection with the terrain between the trees too. Deep water filled ruts, brambles and ants too!</div>
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On my return towards the car, I spotted a pair of deer outside the forest. I noticed them before they noticed me - which rarely happens. They leapt off as I reached for my camera, having watched them for a few seconds. I took a series of forestry tracks and found myself back at the car. Chilled in more than one way. Peace and solitude certainly found. Plus 11 boxes. Distance walked unknown.<br />
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<b><i>You can do this charity walk too! The charity walk clues are available by sending a cheque for £2.50 (payable to Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust) plus an S.A.E to Paul Rendell, The Coach House, Tramlines, Okehampton, Devon. EX20 1EH</i></b><br />
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<b><i>Plus remember to check out Paul Rendell's website: <a href="http://paulrendelldartmoor.co.uk/">http://paulrendelldartmoor.co.uk/</a></i></b></div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-65734703460702560382017-11-30T07:59:00.001+00:002017-12-01T22:14:15.244+00:00Challenge 10: ✔️ Achieved<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxT4SyNff1GSGlYVTNlW6AUFn9RThYXdojGCBaaojku5tYp2F5gi-fAiaY-e1rZ6bizOYEXk1MOmQvHXKJvgcOmneL8rxhPLchl_w0DTj7hvcYT_ICLbaO6PoGa269X1VbUbETC0aZgkw/s1600/DSC_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxT4SyNff1GSGlYVTNlW6AUFn9RThYXdojGCBaaojku5tYp2F5gi-fAiaY-e1rZ6bizOYEXk1MOmQvHXKJvgcOmneL8rxhPLchl_w0DTj7hvcYT_ICLbaO6PoGa269X1VbUbETC0aZgkw/s320/DSC_0371.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Challenge 10: SITE A LETTERBOX SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN ON DARTMOOR</div>
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I have made no secret of the excitement and enjoyment I've found on Bodmin Moor during my last few Letterboxing adventures to the area (<a href="http://who-is-the-challenger.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/getaway.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://who-is-the-challenger.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/away-day.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://who-is-the-challenger.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/before-year-was-out-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a>). So now I have finally found an opportunity to site my own box there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VW782GQyq0kETaRQLHkHtwdLG7wVhof5K6Cr_4CN-LOgQHGNfgCe3gUOOZQ1EVVZAM1uX2-1ONnX-wJs3pHCnjdu8enab8ZGrwHoYPQ3V5Ofr_H24b4ghTyC_c1qz6hX6RXAFzhkO7c/s1600/DSC_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VW782GQyq0kETaRQLHkHtwdLG7wVhof5K6Cr_4CN-LOgQHGNfgCe3gUOOZQ1EVVZAM1uX2-1ONnX-wJs3pHCnjdu8enab8ZGrwHoYPQ3V5Ofr_H24b4ghTyC_c1qz6hX6RXAFzhkO7c/s320/DSC_0375.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Finding a precise location to site a box, or choosing a subject to immortalise in embossing stamp isn't tough. I decided on the River Fowey. One of Cornwall's most important rivers. This meandering river drains the Colliford and Siblyback reservoirs. It passes Golitha Falls, Lanhydrock House, Lostwithiel and (obviously) Trago Mills. It is a river rich in fish, military history, and gorgeous riverside walks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVxhoOtDxBSLQjRU49zwE80el3h4KTCDIkI3jDKVOwnzChyphenhyphenaMddkoDvK4CnFTgBTCS7YbA9iGphiKXOJokeGV-p9xe1GWdZOFhhXoIKrQ67E542fBLFlsI5RbSOPvfK9hR76zkgvjh6w/s1600/DSC_0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVxhoOtDxBSLQjRU49zwE80el3h4KTCDIkI3jDKVOwnzChyphenhyphenaMddkoDvK4CnFTgBTCS7YbA9iGphiKXOJokeGV-p9xe1GWdZOFhhXoIKrQ67E542fBLFlsI5RbSOPvfK9hR76zkgvjh6w/s320/DSC_0368.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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But the River Fowey's source, on Bodmin Moor, seemed an obvious choice for a Letterbox.</div>
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Beginning my walk at a disturbingly deep ford on the road at Bowithick, near Altarnun, my short stroll took place on a day where hail, sleet, ice and snow were genuinely threatened. The Atlantic Cornish climate intervened however, and it was cold but dry.</div>
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It turns out that Buttern Hill on Bodmin Moor and Buttern Hill, Dartmoor have much in common. It is an unexplored peak, out to the East of high ground. Generally under-rated, and devoid of Letterboxes. Someone of importance was buried in the impressive kistvaen on Cornwall Buttern Hill's summit. It is provided with a great far-reaching views. Brown Willy and Rough Tor dominate the view to the West, and Dartmoor distant to the East. The Davidstow cheese factory sits unmistakably to the North.</div>
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A great spot was found overlooking the Fowey's headwaters. This Letterbox by-the-way, will remain on site indefinitely. The clue is as follows:</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
Source of the River Fowey SX 17 81<br />Catshole Tor 186.5. HP Brown Willy 219.5. HP Rough Tor 252. Fence corner & forest edge in line 281.5. LHS large oblong boulder resting on another rock 322. Flat-faced, triangular rock, at bottom of clitter stream is 28p away on 033. Under rounded, moss-speckled rock leaning on another, vegetation covered rock.</blockquote>
<br />whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-72409205680703864702017-11-24T22:02:00.001+00:002017-11-24T22:16:40.540+00:00Devil makes work for idle hands 4A pair of wondrous (if rather pointless) cylindrical rock piles amongst tinners rubble, Lyd Valley.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLArc-h-hDbnMWHd0Njog8Jr6ykkBqVmybg2ZbpoFrhxKmZoh98aL5kUrOM8a3bDNj6_CrTVIuQzX54__J7uLeuJFF7FmpPKx9Azh7l60Vup4YPvwYj5IxzyUeOBqD3_E_Bf5vTIsHiY/s1600/_20171124_215518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLArc-h-hDbnMWHd0Njog8Jr6ykkBqVmybg2ZbpoFrhxKmZoh98aL5kUrOM8a3bDNj6_CrTVIuQzX54__J7uLeuJFF7FmpPKx9Azh7l60Vup4YPvwYj5IxzyUeOBqD3_E_Bf5vTIsHiY/s640/_20171124_215518.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Clearly not my work!</div>
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Other idle-ness</div>
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<a href="http://who-is-the-challenger.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/devil-makes-work-for-idle-hands-part-3.html" target="_blank">Devil makes work for idle hands 3</a></div>
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<a href="http://who-is-the-challenger.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/devil-makes-work-for-idle-hands-2.html" target="_blank">Devil makes work for idle hands 2</a></div>
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<a href="http://who-is-the-challenger.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/devil-makes-work-for-idle-hands.html" target="_blank">Devil makes work for idle hands</a></div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-68128125692896704452017-10-31T23:12:00.001+00:002017-10-31T23:12:58.709+00:00Challenge 9: ✔️ Achieved Challenge 9: USE LETTERBOXING TO RAISE SOME MONEY FOR A LOCAL CHARITY<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-cYm75zr58jKT74VcZj3nOGXr4uZVDn3danp5cm2tgYT6LfSYiD91CWW734LdhV8zIhzo_S_bZ6bFP8IX-2uNBVVONbA9K0i0p4JgLiRCfaJPdcez1uvBHUCqOGN10UI_W6kCRVvYqU/s1600/_20171031_002610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="1600" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-cYm75zr58jKT74VcZj3nOGXr4uZVDn3danp5cm2tgYT6LfSYiD91CWW734LdhV8zIhzo_S_bZ6bFP8IX-2uNBVVONbA9K0i0p4JgLiRCfaJPdcez1uvBHUCqOGN10UI_W6kCRVvYqU/s320/_20171031_002610.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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I think this counts as an ongoing <i>achieve</i>. I want to thank everyone who has already purchased a copy of my Caves & Tunnels of Dartmoor charity walk. My mother and I attended the Autumn Meet on Sunday and we were overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness shown by Letterboxers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3uZJ1ks3CMm8aYF4q5VhknJr-dLMjUyI-QoLzduUCbqWRxQ_LahxlAuPlpylpR_SLLclkGUsCm8H6fVQ02ppvWeVDn68Wni1HqVT1pHIPxtlGR7eCSbCkn4wsOoQyNHqn7e8Mm9BkHA/s1600/_20171031_002535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3uZJ1ks3CMm8aYF4q5VhknJr-dLMjUyI-QoLzduUCbqWRxQ_LahxlAuPlpylpR_SLLclkGUsCm8H6fVQ02ppvWeVDn68Wni1HqVT1pHIPxtlGR7eCSbCkn4wsOoQyNHqn7e8Mm9BkHA/s320/_20171031_002535.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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In addition to the walk, I had some surplus and new Letterbox pots and clip-lock boxes which I offered - for a small charitable donation - at the Meet. Obviously, I will continue to maintain the walk to the highest possible standards and I will post any news updates on this blog, as best I can.</div>
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I will also report back (probably in March) on how much the charity walk raises too. I seem to recall this information being fairly normal, broadcast in the last Letterbox update before the Meets. This is no longer the case - reasons unknown. Thanks again to everyone for your support with this walk!</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-29611687338723316802017-10-28T22:34:00.003+01:002017-11-03T22:38:15.003+00:00Caves & Tunnels - A tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAM1nUCwF5J6PM687ZDE9GNM8xVSkG1bqF7kdJj-U5mDrA-HIJfBuEYk_Uuy29mm2GzztJG8tQXxtf8XZbOjiP0qxjd9nsoGmpSyXKSI3RGisl-JqDgttEm6njWxLCFaVzVyCEedVnuTo/s1600/Shaugh+tunnel+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="509" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAM1nUCwF5J6PM687ZDE9GNM8xVSkG1bqF7kdJj-U5mDrA-HIJfBuEYk_Uuy29mm2GzztJG8tQXxtf8XZbOjiP0qxjd9nsoGmpSyXKSI3RGisl-JqDgttEm6njWxLCFaVzVyCEedVnuTo/s400/Shaugh+tunnel+image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect for Halloween - Several spirits haunt Shaugh Tunnel, its said.</td></tr>
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<i>I figured that a bit of information about the selected Caves and Tunnels used as part of my <a href="http://who-is-the-challenger.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/the-caves-tunnels-of-dartmoor.html" target="_blank">Charity Walk</a> wouldn't go amiss. The lucky 13 chosen are just some of the far higher number on the Moor. A few of those I picked are perhaps a little obscure, so here's the run-down.</i></div>
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<b>No.1 - Potato Cave</b></div>
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<i>Where?</i> For the image, I used the Potato cave close to Combeshead Farm, near Down Tor. </div>
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<i>What?</i> Many old Dartmoor Farms had potato caves - man made caves, dug into areas of soft, decaying granite, and used for the storage of potatoes or more... ahem... illicit produce.</div>
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<b>No.2 - Grenofen Tunnel</b></div>
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<i>Where?</i> Grenofen, between Horrabridge and Tavistock.</div>
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<i>What? </i> Designed and built by esteemed engineer, 'Greatest Briton' candidate and South West England fan, Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1859. Grenofen Tunnel is about 0.2 miles long, and formed part of Brunel's Devon and Tavistock Railway. Renovated using EU cash in 2011, it is now is an important landmark on the Drake's Trail, a national cycle route. The ceiling of the tunnel has metal baffles fitted for bats to roost between and reduce draughts! Some areas are also left unlit, and lighting is motion activated to help minimise bat disturbance by cyclists.</div>
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<b>No.3 - Pixies Cave</b></div>
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<i>Where? </i>Sheeps Tor</div>
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<i>What?</i> A human sized subterranean hole amongst giant boulders on Sheeps Tor's southern flank. It can be tricky to find, and even trickier to get in, but contained within are candles, a visitors book, and a host of legends about Dartmoor piskies.</div>
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<b>No.4 - Baker's Pit</b></div>
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<i>Where?</i> Beneath Holy Trinity Church, Buckfastleigh</div>
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<i>What?</i> Bakers Pit cave system is the largest in Devon, with over 3.5km of caves and chambers to explore. Discovered in 1847, then used extensively during both World wars, these stunning caves can only be entered by recognised caving groups and they're now accessed via gated, vertical shafts, set in the church grounds, since a landfill site filled in their original quarry entrance.</div>
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<b>No.5 - Gobbett Mine Tunnel</b></div>
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<i>Where?</i> Hexworthy</div>
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<i>What? </i> Gobbett Tunnel had two lives. Firstly as an adit for the Gobbett Mine. Then allowing for a pipe line to run from the Swincombe River to the Venford Reservoir. On modern maps, the tunnel is referenced as a pipeline. It is shut to the public, and locked closed.</div>
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<b>No.6 - Phillpott's Cave</b></div>
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<i>Where?</i> On the bank of the Blacklane Brook aka Wollake</div>
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<i>What? </i>Natural shelter beneath enormous slab, with disputed human purpose. More recent artificial additions including turf walls and candles. Some additions were attributed to author Eden Phillpotts, hence the name.</div>
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<b>No.7 - Higher Kiln Quarry Caves</b></div>
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<i>Where? </i>Buckfastleigh</div>
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<i>What? </i> An astonishing jewel in Dartmoor's cave crown. This limestone cave system is considered to be one of the oldest in the country, carved by water - the early River Dart - some 150,000 years ago. Fossil remains of 16 different mammals from the last ice age (including lion, elephant and bear) have been discovered here, representing the greatest such find anywhere in the country. During the Wintertime, the UK's - and possibly Europe's - biggest colony of Greater Horseshoe bats hibernate here. There are permanent bat populations in the area, and the quarry is owned and managed by Devon Wildlife Trust. It is closed to the public though, with highly restricted access.</div>
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<b>No.8 - Shaugh Tunnel</b></div>
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<i>Where? </i>Between Shaugh Prior and Clearbrook</div>
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<i>What?</i> A single track railway tunnel on the old South Devon and Tavistock railway, a line which closed in 1962. This curved tunnel was also the handiwork of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Now electrically lit and part of the Plym Valley Trail. Tunnel also reputed to be haunted!</div>
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<b>No.9 - Merlin's Grotto</b></div>
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<i>Where? </i>On the banks of the Cowsic river, just upriver from Two Bridges</div>
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<i>What?</i> A small rocky recess named in the 19th century by local landowner Reverend Edward Bray. Reverend Bray had a deep passion for folklore, poetry and druids. He named islands in the Cowsic, and inscribed poems on rocks in and around the river. He imagined (hoped) that Merlin the magician would live in the grotto that he discovered and named for him.</div>
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<b>No.10 - Nun's Cross leat tunnel</b></div>
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<i>Where? </i>Nuns Cross Farm near Whiteworks</div>
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<i>What?</i> Tunnel on the Devonport Leat, an epic watercourse built in the 1790's to provide water to Plymouth's dockyard. The route from the West Dart below Crow Tor takes in an aqueduct, a waterfall, and this tunnel passing the water from the valleys of the Swincombe to the Meavy. The well maintained leat now fills Burrator Reservoir, keeping the tunnel in operation.</div>
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<b>No.11 - Grant's Pot</b></div>
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<i>Where? </i>Near the confluence of Wollake and River Erme</div>
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<i>What?</i> A water & mud filled cave below ground level. 'Discovered' in the 1950s by hiker, pot holer, Letterboxer and scout group leader John Grant (hence the name). He believed it was a mine adit, but this is disputed. He decided to put a Letterbox in the hole, which may or may not survive today - depending on who you ask. The full fascinating story of Grant's Pot can be found on Tim Sandles' excellent <a href="http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/grants" target="_blank">Legendary Dartmoor</a> website.</div>
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<b>No.12 - Yelverton Tunnel</b></div>
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<i>Where?</i> Yelverton, and directly beneath the roundabout in the village centre</div>
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<i>What?</i> A tunnel on the old South Devon and Tavistock line which has not been provided with the same treatment as Grenofen or Shaugh, as it is now surrounded by properties built over the old line. Indeed you <i>almost</i> need to trespass to view this old, overgrown, neglected tunnel.</div>
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<b>No.13 - Vixana's Lair</b></div>
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<i>Where? </i>Vixen Tor</div>
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<i>What?</i> A very large cave in the base of the main stack, on the side you <i>can't </i>see from the access land. According to legend, Vixana the witch lives in the cave. Unproven.</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-51453467062004559992017-10-09T12:48:00.001+01:002017-10-28T23:49:14.135+01:00The Caves & Tunnels of Dartmoor<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8rAkIhEN_jdNfX3NHzWIpfQQny7aLD3cU3BEIxyL6kdDdwYiQMHRQft4tsekKVvhLLgu-CLQJW_yO-6AkdBz1ESgUIN5n3NSd_nQr5S8WWdBqpEyvpHCLkolEoPo4-qGIQ-e1nGr_h0/s1600/DSC_0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8rAkIhEN_jdNfX3NHzWIpfQQny7aLD3cU3BEIxyL6kdDdwYiQMHRQft4tsekKVvhLLgu-CLQJW_yO-6AkdBz1ESgUIN5n3NSd_nQr5S8WWdBqpEyvpHCLkolEoPo4-qGIQ-e1nGr_h0/s320/DSC_0176.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just some of the stamps in the charity walk</td></tr>
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'The Caves & Tunnels of Dartmoor' is the title of my latest Letterboxing project: a Charity Walk sited this month, and out on the Moor until the end of March 2018.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 4-mile route in the spectacular Upper Lyd Valley</td></tr>
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I have never sited a charity Letterbox walk, so the whole experience so far has been fascinating. Let me explain. I had a desire to do some good. To raise some cash for a charity which does work on Dartmoor. I had an idea for a set of interesting boxes. I have a passion for the environment and conservation. It seemed obvious to choose a wildlife charity, and Mid Devon Bat Rescue - based near North Tawton - stood out. This charity is run by volunteers, helping lost, injured or orphaned bats. It's large enough to care for a significant proportion of Dartmoor (a line from about Tavistock to Newton Abbot northwards in fact) yet small enough that funds raised by a charity walk will make a real, tangible difference.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh573JjJiN3O3pxSTSc3nn7PO29KDEtWE-V9cHg0651j1Wk6WPintZX0Y3_ZCRcfzG1pPdWBAUMj_DnVWY35DsbvfQ1DDl9__ghPkK86mVuve0XKbXYei_khlSkWLIqJdXOX4TICmxF5x8/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh573JjJiN3O3pxSTSc3nn7PO29KDEtWE-V9cHg0651j1Wk6WPintZX0Y3_ZCRcfzG1pPdWBAUMj_DnVWY35DsbvfQ1DDl9__ghPkK86mVuve0XKbXYei_khlSkWLIqJdXOX4TICmxF5x8/s320/DSC_0167.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final box of the walk, also containing a visitor's book</td></tr>
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My caves and tunnels themed stamps were suitably appropriate. Kari, who runs the charity was on board with the idea, and so it has happened!</div>
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The boxes are sited in the Lyd Valley. Chosen for various reasons not least because it is a stunning place to go Letterboxing in the off-season. There are 14 boxes in the walk plus a complementary with the cluesheet.</div>
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If you would like a copy of the clues, they cost £2.50 of which all proceeds go to Mid Devon Bat Rescue. The boxes are on the Moor now! There's no nesting birds, no bracken, and no snow. What are you waiting for?! </div>
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For a copy of the clues, please post a cheque for £2.50 made payable to 'Kari Bettoney' plus a stamped-addressed-envelope to whoisthechallenger. Email me (see below) for my address.<br />
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Any problems or queries, please email me: whoisthechallenger@rocketmail.com</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-37635873959010455112017-09-27T22:13:00.001+01:002020-10-27T09:15:10.351+00:00Challenge 8: ✔️ Achieved <div style="text-align: justify;">
Challenge 8: COMPLETE A 2-DAY LETTERBOX EXPEDITION</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUU3R0ggC55czKu7-zCDr5P-6v5fk2aX2rBIvu8HRsNRfg24BNhYQFy19vRCQAbtlUe60qzzlpMqhb9rnxmM0UDQjOQrsHLPsgy9VVIkLRes2rGuRbWXJH220SdfPfFz5adQ13_h2Z4z8/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUU3R0ggC55czKu7-zCDr5P-6v5fk2aX2rBIvu8HRsNRfg24BNhYQFy19vRCQAbtlUe60qzzlpMqhb9rnxmM0UDQjOQrsHLPsgy9VVIkLRes2rGuRbWXJH220SdfPfFz5adQ13_h2Z4z8/s200/DSC_0065.JPG" width="200" /></a>Wow. Where do I start with this one? I really wanted to do this challenge. It might even have been the first one I came up with. It has taken a great deal of thought and planning as I had many things to consider:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2EGH4hjdPwK4fbfIEOAMdYubIiwPdq0cyqlpNEOT6l8VAVFNWgDN-1onTW7O2KCysRZN9QdTxjCnTvITYVnfw3hyphenhyphenafLCUadsop7L9kUc9kKgetwS-Ln_mVRKB26NoLi0dWRLzqMREfw/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2EGH4hjdPwK4fbfIEOAMdYubIiwPdq0cyqlpNEOT6l8VAVFNWgDN-1onTW7O2KCysRZN9QdTxjCnTvITYVnfw3hyphenhyphenafLCUadsop7L9kUc9kKgetwS-Ln_mVRKB26NoLi0dWRLzqMREfw/s200/DSC_0068.JPG" width="200" /></a>Personal circumstances. I have a busy job, with a busy home life, and I'd need to have 2 consecutive days to spare, considering my family's needs too. When I put the idea to my wife she joked that I'd probably have the best night's sleep in months.</div>
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Plans. It needed to work with the other pre-planned events and challenges, which kinda set a schedule.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHpz3ryjOt-oKV4SlJs1EyS1lHFpPNxaNgG-Cs2g5fz79xYYl6rA17W_KncFAx9hNEBxmZDM67b7y691mhPpHGlaQJckd9Wyvsx3uFN09DDO4Vjucb5mEzZBpWdHAjJlEtGynqjF1h4A/s1600/DSC_0073.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHpz3ryjOt-oKV4SlJs1EyS1lHFpPNxaNgG-Cs2g5fz79xYYl6rA17W_KncFAx9hNEBxmZDM67b7y691mhPpHGlaQJckd9Wyvsx3uFN09DDO4Vjucb5mEzZBpWdHAjJlEtGynqjF1h4A/s200/DSC_0073.JPG" width="200" /></a>External factors. I needed decent weather and good health on my side.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAJGjfBpjKMyhvor-IBMSuOoQCm5SoClqoXpVpZ1pbISFdb6BnXQkMUh4VwcqNz_Wiii-NIgzPYQAWBw_ZiVpE_zGS2uDHi48bgEUwhyphenhyphenB7lBZNVKO1d4xbvcSr5nrjFLhdLbApGiADN8/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAJGjfBpjKMyhvor-IBMSuOoQCm5SoClqoXpVpZ1pbISFdb6BnXQkMUh4VwcqNz_Wiii-NIgzPYQAWBw_ZiVpE_zGS2uDHi48bgEUwhyphenhyphenB7lBZNVKO1d4xbvcSr5nrjFLhdLbApGiADN8/s200/DSC_0074.JPG" width="200" /></a>Once these were dealt with, I needed to decide where to go and where to camp. For a long time I'd planned to plonk my tent on the summit of Belstone Tor, and spend 2 solid days scouring the slopes finding as much as possible. I concluded that this was a bit dull. I considered the Perambulation walk, as I've never done it. But thats 50 miles of walking, and I'm not sure I'd have time (or energy) to Letterbox! As Autumn clumsily stumbled in, my plan changed to a trans-moor walk, camping at the Plume of Feathers in Princetown, and the cosy amenities this provided. However, the transport issues proved tricky. So I settled on a long distance circular route encompassing unvisited corners, typically overlooked on my day-walks. This inevitably meant the seemingly inaccessible West side of the River Erme.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNSjbk5U5LqwRWkw3HIz69J5u6rvJoz1xJaOMg5iivBUXr1Yfrl_7Ca0zUUxfTcN3ZYP31qz2bj5qGCtHRRlyi2QSVkjEk-j0VjMF4szDqNtR9eNoXXkGhb17TmM1rKPNlAvGqAdDXJk/s1600/DSC_0083.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1600" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNSjbk5U5LqwRWkw3HIz69J5u6rvJoz1xJaOMg5iivBUXr1Yfrl_7Ca0zUUxfTcN3ZYP31qz2bj5qGCtHRRlyi2QSVkjEk-j0VjMF4szDqNtR9eNoXXkGhb17TmM1rKPNlAvGqAdDXJk/s200/DSC_0083.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf_a9g6qID9pNjU1j0dbaC4cdyZNR-vLWypgC7otrwgcKrKLdLe2NGW_SpGyq7oVdKUgCA5xz5iZPCRa3apFlCrzg3Kdyk1of6fjyuLyLfzh59OuoZ2l0plqA8RtSTNGbRwb-9s4zOpA/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf_a9g6qID9pNjU1j0dbaC4cdyZNR-vLWypgC7otrwgcKrKLdLe2NGW_SpGyq7oVdKUgCA5xz5iZPCRa3apFlCrzg3Kdyk1of6fjyuLyLfzh59OuoZ2l0plqA8RtSTNGbRwb-9s4zOpA/s200/DSC_0089.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
I have a hotch-potch of camping gear gathered over time, neatly stored away ready for Armageddon to strike. With the simple addition of food and fuel, I was packed in no time. The camping element of this challenge, it seemed, was far easier to prepare for than the Letterboxing element. I had a route in mind, with an endless list of generally older Letterboxes to search for. Since the <a href="http://who-is-the-challenger.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/i-have-sent-following-letter-to-alison.html" target="_blank">New Waste car park's closure</a>, the Erme valley lacks visitors. I was prepared for boxes grown in, deteriorated, missing perhaps. I was not expecting chance finds. I was expecting pathless terrain through long grass, and a headwind. To be honest, I saw this as a wild camp in every respect, and a Letterbox expedition unlike any other.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJ4ynt7VCCDawAQcjCmd43Cfa2VvBsgDldQBQM2ACZdPjiWnjWkOtt4FyPRPpgL-BXJelbWGcgpH3Puo7xXtxVVavcykXpH6PAsuYAEJNNDPbY2E-ZU6s2PVatV50_x9zMhiEnBETqLM/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJ4ynt7VCCDawAQcjCmd43Cfa2VvBsgDldQBQM2ACZdPjiWnjWkOtt4FyPRPpgL-BXJelbWGcgpH3Puo7xXtxVVavcykXpH6PAsuYAEJNNDPbY2E-ZU6s2PVatV50_x9zMhiEnBETqLM/w640-h358/DSC_0090.JPG" width="640" /></a>I wasn't disappointed either!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguk3zq3G0x2bIUaFnZ8jcyfg4NM0KNOWfTCWrAbeTpZeOOnw_VTd1XBGubUp0IGWWGWl3lnlrqo4IBhOlz-BU1l8HjUj8OEpVMvBnsqSJ9erwHCewb55OmfyrJca-cOGCPGcUY6QRn1yM/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguk3zq3G0x2bIUaFnZ8jcyfg4NM0KNOWfTCWrAbeTpZeOOnw_VTd1XBGubUp0IGWWGWl3lnlrqo4IBhOlz-BU1l8HjUj8OEpVMvBnsqSJ9erwHCewb55OmfyrJca-cOGCPGcUY6QRn1yM/s200/DSC_0099.JPG" width="200" /></a>I last wild camped on Dartmoor 18 years ago, in a bivvy-bag at Fur Tor. Five years before that, I had a 3 night adventure with schoolfriends as we cycled (mainly pushed) our way from OP15 to Ivybridge across the Moor. I distinctly remember camping out at Teignhead Clapper, Deep Swincombe and Phillpott's Cave. I may be out of practice, but I knew what to expect.</div>
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Carrying Junior Challenger last month was a useful exercise in handling a heavy, unwieldy backpack. I saw a window of good weather in the same week that Storm Aileen hit the UK. Aware that it would be sodden underfoot, and the Erme would be running high, I packed accordingly (extra, extra socks). I wanted to test a potential new - albeit no quicker - route up to Stalldown. Parking opposite Harford Church, it involved crossing the road bridge over the river, and using access land to pass Tristis Rock and trekking due North towards Hillson's House. I was ready.</div>
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Day 1.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WQig6ZgNJKpBhHq38H_wp439zF4JjkU69edHpPyMwYL7HSC7WzPiw-RufzZdBZZF69-qrKmW0rWjIxjs6ojtFmiCxdthmfraqizqy2ax0sbt1aINdl3mLEJbColUOx5MQqtUFyX2I3M/s1600/DSC_0106.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WQig6ZgNJKpBhHq38H_wp439zF4JjkU69edHpPyMwYL7HSC7WzPiw-RufzZdBZZF69-qrKmW0rWjIxjs6ojtFmiCxdthmfraqizqy2ax0sbt1aINdl3mLEJbColUOx5MQqtUFyX2I3M/s200/DSC_0106.JPG" width="200" /></a>Starting at lunchtime meant I could avoid packing even more food, and start walking on a full stomach. The wind was gusty, the clouds were often dark, but the sun was out, and I was confident I'd get to the head of a stream to strike camp. I'd hoped it to be Red Lake, but saw it more likely to be Hortonsford Brook. Head of a stream for two reasons: a nearby source of fresh water, and a nearby hilltop for mobile signal to call home with news of my success.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KSLGQbyKMR0qZntCYh7i673M-0q6VkxiE38NtRDGlKPtY-UVqMSe3qJkT54PyewB3R59cjVigLMYlgTbx0r9s3Dloofr0hUju_dHbmTTyV3bBrE28ogpjcRtZJUldyGNVyIC5r5LT5M/s1600/DSC_0109.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KSLGQbyKMR0qZntCYh7i673M-0q6VkxiE38NtRDGlKPtY-UVqMSe3qJkT54PyewB3R59cjVigLMYlgTbx0r9s3Dloofr0hUju_dHbmTTyV3bBrE28ogpjcRtZJUldyGNVyIC5r5LT5M/s200/DSC_0109.JPG" width="200" /></a>I found the first Letterbox with minimal drama. I was the first visitor in 3 years though, which confirmed everything I suspected about how this walk would pan out. I failed to find another Letterbox until dusk, when shadows were lengthening, and my mind was more on cooking dinner than compass bearings. I'd taken a direct route off Stalldown Barrow to Downings House Brook. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYDtDE8qg985i0zWlzsn0XV24Cs3PgmKcdQaj-9ArDbe8ZWM773MzaAAEQN94bBXnfX88YkrwQaaL82uvGzVdJCiGfaqgj7OdJNPAEfe7JsTyCXJegJ8pm6c1AazTsWPRq9noewjiYhE/s1600/DSC_0112.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYDtDE8qg985i0zWlzsn0XV24Cs3PgmKcdQaj-9ArDbe8ZWM773MzaAAEQN94bBXnfX88YkrwQaaL82uvGzVdJCiGfaqgj7OdJNPAEfe7JsTyCXJegJ8pm6c1AazTsWPRq9noewjiYhE/s200/DSC_0112.JPG" width="200" /></a>The strength of the wind had persuaded me to take a route up the riverbank rather than across Stall Moor to the Bledge Brook. This mazy, miry, moorland watercourse would be followed from foot to source, before crossing over the divide to the neighbouring Hortonsford Bottom. Here, I settled on a site for the tent - not far from the rain gauge. I'd use it as base camp for the few Boxes I had to find around Langcombe Head and surrounds.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uNrzfIjwFbeW3zHhY2henDZ-Dhs0mupEZ9CvVm7O-PW4chVJ3EB9U43jTDxo1DbGa2xbiAAPX_RnRRgtV5vOapb3ZXKZypPFtvSQV2I3jqbVHMzTpQGE01arhgXK6zzMLrDAaskTNHo/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uNrzfIjwFbeW3zHhY2henDZ-Dhs0mupEZ9CvVm7O-PW4chVJ3EB9U43jTDxo1DbGa2xbiAAPX_RnRRgtV5vOapb3ZXKZypPFtvSQV2I3jqbVHMzTpQGE01arhgXK6zzMLrDAaskTNHo/s200/DSC_0125.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Pitched and unpacked, I got the stove going for a cup of tea. From the doorway of my tent, I looked East spying Ryders Hill and Huntingdon Warren on the horizon beyond Redlake Tip. Main course at dinner was a Wayfarer meal. If you are unfamiliar with these ration kits - imagine NASA space food. The packet says "Can be eaten hot or cold". I chose hot for my vegetable curry and rice. Remove price label, place in boiling water for 4-7 minutes. Cool for 1 minute. Eat. It's wholesome, unfussy, glamour-free nutrition. Its also quite a small portion, so buy two, is my advice.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2GiKLojpZEht5WUkg_I_5-y-SdGyKWsVSF8Dnwf6vuK9Gf5mfx16o5kn_TSTkp7B7gAG2k6DJrzYSV0JNjH-jxKlS6N2mIN6ji6bJpo3zVSbuKi9bemcwdbosOhedQ8GzJ8ps2gAWqI/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2GiKLojpZEht5WUkg_I_5-y-SdGyKWsVSF8Dnwf6vuK9Gf5mfx16o5kn_TSTkp7B7gAG2k6DJrzYSV0JNjH-jxKlS6N2mIN6ji6bJpo3zVSbuKi9bemcwdbosOhedQ8GzJ8ps2gAWqI/s200/DSC_0129.JPG" width="200" /></a>Sat in the tent at dusk, watching a rainbow move into the view and contemplating the rain laden clouds on their way, I considered the fact that I hadn't seen anyone on the Moor all day, except for a cyclist in Harford. I enjoyed the solitude at this remote spot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_Fl4r3dwQEV-8Bl0oWkrE1Hpg739r2kVH-ahFLvE0KfLPlXP-jae77g7lnNypgJoWkOqH4anBFn0v4iIckVuyAaXpzTywKjDRBJ7SeE4AbpNSfRySdajfBBBUS_6LLkYlw_P4EdyGp4/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_Fl4r3dwQEV-8Bl0oWkrE1Hpg739r2kVH-ahFLvE0KfLPlXP-jae77g7lnNypgJoWkOqH4anBFn0v4iIckVuyAaXpzTywKjDRBJ7SeE4AbpNSfRySdajfBBBUS_6LLkYlw_P4EdyGp4/s200/DSC_0132.JPG" width="200" /></a>I fell asleep just after sunset, to the sound of rain on the tent flysheet. I did indeed have the best nights sleep in months. At 6am, as it started to get light, I emerged warm and dry from my sleeping bag, aware that the Moor outside was far from warm and dry. It was crystal clear though, with not a cloud in the sky.</div>
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Day 2</div>
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Breakfast was fruit and tea, which I had the pleasure of taking with me Letterboxing down the valley. Giving the tent as much time as possible to dry off before packing it away. Finally, I could wait no more, so I packed up and headed for the river. After a week of rain or showers, I had to walk up to Blacklane Brook Foot to find somewhere suitable to cross. This far upstream was not on my clue sheet, so I swiftly walked down the true left bank to Red Lake Foot, and commenced Letterboxing in earnest. Day 2's clue list was far longer than Day 1's. I took a direct path from the confluence towards Erme Pound, then on to Hook Lake.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwq_ntyRJwYdWQsjoKev0sOeYr_shQcJhy33YeFcGX8Kz5GjDHu8nTHH7Vu1uwKpn8HvQTc5mDvu1KvdvGN3NjXffdzr2e9hE9X7SjM9RGyJ42YbrgEUQ0VNzkkLUkyhYYEGxl6mrYVM/s1600/DSC_0137.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1600" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwq_ntyRJwYdWQsjoKev0sOeYr_shQcJhy33YeFcGX8Kz5GjDHu8nTHH7Vu1uwKpn8HvQTc5mDvu1KvdvGN3NjXffdzr2e9hE9X7SjM9RGyJ42YbrgEUQ0VNzkkLUkyhYYEGxl6mrYVM/s200/DSC_0137.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWI9jlXmfrJeMBUomgT8lQEocwn_A_irO9f_jhE7BtJM7TkQFMvH7F1NFyS52mY7WLacUmQpm6wXuAlPSEPlnjMhp7ZVd5JjuP9COHhrbQK3Lyb7ci7qy9pQtn5gKiYobeoXumf1CoyRM/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWI9jlXmfrJeMBUomgT8lQEocwn_A_irO9f_jhE7BtJM7TkQFMvH7F1NFyS52mY7WLacUmQpm6wXuAlPSEPlnjMhp7ZVd5JjuP9COHhrbQK3Lyb7ci7qy9pQtn5gKiYobeoXumf1CoyRM/s200/DSC_0143.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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Again, I was all too aware of the unvisited nature of this valley by how dense the undergrowth is here. It was difficult to locate even a horse track through the thick grass to follow. After Hook Lake, I made the quick ascent of the hill to the (misnamed) Redlake Tramway. It was definitely only steam trains which shuttled up and down this route once upon a time.</div>
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My 5 hours of glorious weather ended at this point. Clouds had been building from the North for some time, but a sudden hailstorm chased me down the track to Leftlake. I sheltered from the pelting under the bridge. It was a lengthy storm, and confirmed my thoughts that the Letterboxing was all but over, and lunch at the car was calling.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwww0Sn9_YwexGvvJ2ND8XjP7nb7pmloBsvgSKGTgByM05u8BVtwfYPIsGhsO49Hcd4GUiwU0bUn2yN5qFRqB8bxRkq3ZXOZc4HhpCCy6FVbRx7PJf306e5VG0mFwsIAvtxsG0Ix3bAk/s1600/DSC_0146.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwww0Sn9_YwexGvvJ2ND8XjP7nb7pmloBsvgSKGTgByM05u8BVtwfYPIsGhsO49Hcd4GUiwU0bUn2yN5qFRqB8bxRkq3ZXOZc4HhpCCy6FVbRx7PJf306e5VG0mFwsIAvtxsG0Ix3bAk/s200/DSC_0146.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1AegGMVIg5Tl0QvUmOiCS0m9GuC9J10FewAzL_-kPWcb7isAKthzp8dlV6LfLj2r707-8USGtN-oBB20SMMiqQSk_W0_4ohQvKqKuZVMd23VpWRzN07Yyx0ypAuqHnUhkZ3q6yYLIpA/s1600/DSC_0145.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1AegGMVIg5Tl0QvUmOiCS0m9GuC9J10FewAzL_-kPWcb7isAKthzp8dlV6LfLj2r707-8USGtN-oBB20SMMiqQSk_W0_4ohQvKqKuZVMd23VpWRzN07Yyx0ypAuqHnUhkZ3q6yYLIpA/s200/DSC_0145.JPG" width="200" /></a>The sun did make another appearance behind the shower. By this point, I was on the slopes of Three Barrows - a hill I haven't visited since 2011. The view from the summit bringing the summits of the South East moor closer to the expedition: Eastern White Barrow and Pupers. I was able to find a couple of boxes up here, but I was on my way before long towards Piles Hill, and it was here that I met the only person I'd seen since the previous morning. This walker was later joined by a couple of cyclists, then a couple more walkers all following the Redlake Railway into the Moor. My tent was safely under the rucksack cover, so no comments were made about my 'camp in the rain'.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYGs0XhZBwN4VD_QBvjtzXSh5DROJNpfL1nKm8kNokUPruAlIBDd46L4geX2GpUmZqAUo6UGB0xGM1pIjbsvD8tMZOV3819_cZEMLEzKKukNFoA-ha3ZS0c0K-AP7B3GXFxiFIEcO-4I/s1600/DSC_0152.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYGs0XhZBwN4VD_QBvjtzXSh5DROJNpfL1nKm8kNokUPruAlIBDd46L4geX2GpUmZqAUo6UGB0xGM1pIjbsvD8tMZOV3819_cZEMLEzKKukNFoA-ha3ZS0c0K-AP7B3GXFxiFIEcO-4I/s200/DSC_0152.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbywOt_4Y1KmjPIOcRLl3rKA9fzTUzPSqorcgZgCQshBw4LmFAJ4hDCnlqP1iINnJdiwFB5Kkpssw5x2bWbo6IuSIYA-06FWLG0wGxLNTxZEXPpn_RU9r6Q-ZuUO9On4lUxl9T2MNpLT4/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbywOt_4Y1KmjPIOcRLl3rKA9fzTUzPSqorcgZgCQshBw4LmFAJ4hDCnlqP1iINnJdiwFB5Kkpssw5x2bWbo6IuSIYA-06FWLG0wGxLNTxZEXPpn_RU9r6Q-ZuUO9On4lUxl9T2MNpLT4/s200/DSC_0153.JPG" width="200" /></a>At Spurrell's Cross, I considered my next move - off the moor at Harford Moor Gate or a last box at Tor Rocks. Then, out of nowhere, a roll of thunder from around the Yealm Head area. With that, I ran. The rain followed shortly after. Heavy constant rain, but my concern was for the thunderstorm, so I'd ran for the trees around the Butter Brook Reservoir. Some shelter, and being the lowest point in the area, some protection if lightning came my way. It didn't, so I took my chance to leave the Moor quietly with no further boxes found.</div>
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Overall, I am delighted with the way the expedition went. I'm chuffed with my efforts, since I must have walked about 20 miles in all, in places I don't often see, and it was a rare camping trip for me. I found 9 boxes, which I only consider to be a negative for the valley, and it's neglected status within the hobby. I am actually pleased that I found that many, taking into account the terrain and inclement conditions!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8eE2we9FmsJ0WG6ZJIq0z7C7gagkh229_QgtzFrjeao5FL7oAo-FGRaxI1kMIg2Ye7i64Pae74vy_gPsC5WcgFap0xsphRB-IS7jkPnCA8UAh0qILj4db7ltFByllUv_7rc2KpLc3L5k/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8eE2we9FmsJ0WG6ZJIq0z7C7gagkh229_QgtzFrjeao5FL7oAo-FGRaxI1kMIg2Ye7i64Pae74vy_gPsC5WcgFap0xsphRB-IS7jkPnCA8UAh0qILj4db7ltFByllUv_7rc2KpLc3L5k/s200/DSC_0157.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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It was a unique, solo adventure, which I might never have the chance to repeat, though I hope one day I will.</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-30472482940934884932017-09-03T07:20:00.000+01:002017-09-03T07:20:55.560+01:00Rumbling on<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGq_56WsgJ8RKrFQc0fMiV-j08OfNbLojSbfEsoceQi-kNWekQpUgsrkgQRQFsw51pctWcWeFxyxa_gNMCauIndftUyPehETMz5N-Aau9y9eerjRBwe4Qw0pA2K4X5PuOhPC3choHixI/s1600/DSC_0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGq_56WsgJ8RKrFQc0fMiV-j08OfNbLojSbfEsoceQi-kNWekQpUgsrkgQRQFsw51pctWcWeFxyxa_gNMCauIndftUyPehETMz5N-Aau9y9eerjRBwe4Qw0pA2K4X5PuOhPC3choHixI/s400/DSC_0213.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yennadon Quarry from Yennadon Down</td></tr>
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The longest running saga in Dartmoor planning rumbles on. No - I'm not talking about the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/mar/03/steward-woodland-community-eviction-dartmoor-national-park" target="_blank">eviction battle at Steward Community Woodland</a>. I'm talking about Yennadon Quarry, on the outskirts of Dousland near Burrator, and their intentions to expand.</div>
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If you've seen this quarry in the past decade, you'll appreciate how the boundary pushes hard against the surrounding fence, providing livestock, dog-walkers and Letterboxers alike airy cliff-edge views deep into the workings from Yennadon Down. As early as June 2008, the quarry operators have been investigating - through official channels - the potential for expansion. Their intention is to expand North, increasing the size of the quarry by roughly a third. Opposition to the plan cite concerns regarding, amongst other things, the increased noise levels, traffic, dust, plus the impacts on local ecology, common land, and water run off. Up until now, committee rejections, conditions applied, repeated delays and red tape have have frustrated the quarry owner's efforts. Local residents and Dartmoor organisations have been polarised on the issue. The Dartmoor Preservation Association object to the plan, whilst the Dartmoor Society broadly support it. Proponents point at increased local employment, and the sustainable extraction of a useful, desirable and ancient resource: Dartmoor granite.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFUM_5P72AsxGr9im4y47_2bas9jVHRNgT0Z7yVAgLOAlAZqH0yh51LnZ1g1oEVNmqBw3Ikap-DfahX2sTg7VOPxNb_p83PhThdOPbwh-APOlbZFTZlioiu0a5H9K8ieGG_EwO6HqIgk/s1600/DSC_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFUM_5P72AsxGr9im4y47_2bas9jVHRNgT0Z7yVAgLOAlAZqH0yh51LnZ1g1oEVNmqBw3Ikap-DfahX2sTg7VOPxNb_p83PhThdOPbwh-APOlbZFTZlioiu0a5H9K8ieGG_EwO6HqIgk/s400/DSC_0210.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peek Hill from Yennadon Down</td></tr>
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The expansion plan was initially refused by the National Park Authority in 2014. Amended, with conditions applied, it was resubmitted in 2015. Planning Officers recommended that it be refused again, due to the "unacceptable impacts on Dartmoor's special qualities" including landscape and tranquility. However, the Authority never got to formally consider the new application since the late arrival of some documents delayed the decision in December 2015, then again in February 2016, and it then failed to reappear at May's meeting as all had hoped.</div>
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18 more months have come and gone. So much time has now passed, local development criteria has changed, quarry precedents elsewhere have been set, and earlier conditions have been revisited by different planning staff. So, the Planning Officer's recommendation has been changed from 'Reject' to 'Approve'. The refreshed application finally made it back to the DNPA Development Committee's meeting in July this year, only for the complex legalities of the planning process to thwart progress <i>yet again</i>. This time, written advice from a QC had been received late in the day before the meeting, and Planning Officers had not had time to reflect on this. The earliest opportunity for the plans to be reconsidered is now October. Frustration for the quarry operators and local residents. More 'ball kicking' from the authorities and legal teams. It rumbles on.</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-49287195965840923252017-08-30T16:16:00.001+01:002017-08-30T16:27:34.083+01:00Challenge 7: ✔️ Achieved Challenge 7: INTRODUCE SOMEONE NEW TO LETTERBOXING<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_uxIeztOjJ3nkCWV8uPQiGpHOFopDyBvWMDvUASoYfffd-PHJjxsSyPBfAx0LbV2yvh4pY9ugCH9uiyS9qdftEIC3teg46U1PzN-1HGUw3y951eTangg70UhFtjIXYRieMJ2Naau-MY/s1600/DSC_0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_uxIeztOjJ3nkCWV8uPQiGpHOFopDyBvWMDvUASoYfffd-PHJjxsSyPBfAx0LbV2yvh4pY9ugCH9uiyS9qdftEIC3teg46U1PzN-1HGUw3y951eTangg70UhFtjIXYRieMJ2Naau-MY/s320/DSC_0221.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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As you probably know - or guessed - I generally Letterbox alone. This month's challenge, however, meant getting someone out on Dartmoor, Letterboxing with me, in a Letterboxing lesson of sorts. I selected someone very close to me to take on their first Letterboxing trip. I'm confident they'll become regular Letterboxers, and I'll do all I can to support that.</div>
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Who was this newbie? My 9 month old son, obviously!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4Gm5rQKntOBsBoJm-2xFX0iqxPQ23hrKBVntCsaEkAZicpxNckrRvLKpbbKzAsW9vxGh2tncUHJJ4mTKtdUh8f_6Ivxdg-wbjnM1d2QcvizCa6RQIiB_lyZ64QqiauGp3efuAdD2nVE/s1600/DSC_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4Gm5rQKntOBsBoJm-2xFX0iqxPQ23hrKBVntCsaEkAZicpxNckrRvLKpbbKzAsW9vxGh2tncUHJJ4mTKtdUh8f_6Ivxdg-wbjnM1d2QcvizCa6RQIiB_lyZ64QqiauGp3efuAdD2nVE/s320/DSC_0201.JPG" width="320" /></a>I wanted to make sure it was a day to remember - not forget, so a day of decent weather and not too far from the car was chosen. A route of 3 miles seemed right. A comprehensive picnic lunch was packed, as was clothing for all seasons too. There was even some space left over for ink pads and postcards!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOA68xee6w0GwUbVGmZjo0vgl1Vz5NLJXF-KRvQigjpTpkyzbYKiuOsshOcPmRCZj2PioxyveIRY7a38to1FjgSTyM4N7sbATgdpDrsq8g0c-Vri4LOyyhv9ScnJiarrm3d_ObI1OL9s/s1600/DSC_0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOA68xee6w0GwUbVGmZjo0vgl1Vz5NLJXF-KRvQigjpTpkyzbYKiuOsshOcPmRCZj2PioxyveIRY7a38to1FjgSTyM4N7sbATgdpDrsq8g0c-Vri4LOyyhv9ScnJiarrm3d_ObI1OL9s/s320/DSC_0213.JPG" width="320" /></a>We went to King's Tor and Swelltor, parking at Yellowmeade Farm. This was a novel experience for me. Junior Challenger was comfortable in his Littlelife backpack, and I was comfortable carrying him, but Letterboxing can be a funny business of crouching and ducking and stretching and crawling. None of which are easy with a top-heavy baby carrier! Stream crossing too, was unexpectedly tricky. These things must be considered in future trips. Time to invest in a walking pole, perhaps?!?</div>
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I was 11 years old when I started Letterboxing. I don't think I walked on Dartmoor before my 10th birthday. I wish I could pass on my lifetime of knowledge and experience. Formed through personal and shared events, occurrences and encounters. These escapades are impossible to pass on, and so a new lifetime of memorable walks and weekends need to be formed.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpqrfnoSkkMoJ7Xw44kBxcBwZuP4a78iDPrwgjv2iZ4mkZIGZBr2vovkOLhvcCKztsG3izLMUqM9gRIxBAfBiJTXR5EsNptZ494BZ_ANnaS7K_jds2l7fwl56WI6VuwBSCVmOhXWAUyM/s1600/DSC_0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpqrfnoSkkMoJ7Xw44kBxcBwZuP4a78iDPrwgjv2iZ4mkZIGZBr2vovkOLhvcCKztsG3izLMUqM9gRIxBAfBiJTXR5EsNptZ494BZ_ANnaS7K_jds2l7fwl56WI6VuwBSCVmOhXWAUyM/s320/DSC_0211.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Our short walk passed Yellowmeade Farm and Foggintor before climbing up to the back-o'Swelltor. A perhaps ambitious, though entirely flexible, series of clues lead us across to Kings Tor, then down to the railway bridge, and following the old track along past Little Kings Tor and crossing the stream below Four Winds and returning to the car.</div>
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That was the plan at least! Junior Challenger slept until the midway point of the walk. He was awoken at the first Letterbox - a seminal moment in his life! Let it always be known that it was called 'The Dodo Birthday Box'. However, junior had little time for bearings and clues, and a great appetite. So we settled among the outcrops of Kings Tor for lunch. My shoulders welcomed the break too. Alas all food carried in was carried out, just in another form.</div>
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The walk was cut short as the wind picked up, and clouds built. There is plenty of time to instill the <i>'JOM'</i> mentality: At some point, every Letterboxer surely considers there is time for 'Just <i>One</i> More' box. On this occasion though, we headed straight for Four Winds, which on this day, was packed with holidaymakers and walkers. A short walk up the hill returned us to the car.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi824-Q3j8RekZtwQILYdADU2GPSUMuOHyq7CTTC6LlvZzoVoBusHXVDyD3Dgf4dFRZHziRx1KbmT2pgwZEoqjJF6Fea-YfPgwYE0alLsagzKPxk9l0tV4yTQl-nD9QUek4CfGuT3D2BEQ/s1600/DSC_0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi824-Q3j8RekZtwQILYdADU2GPSUMuOHyq7CTTC6LlvZzoVoBusHXVDyD3Dgf4dFRZHziRx1KbmT2pgwZEoqjJF6Fea-YfPgwYE0alLsagzKPxk9l0tV4yTQl-nD9QUek4CfGuT3D2BEQ/s320/DSC_0235.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Junior Challenger charmed some fellow hill-walkers, who were impressed by his carrier and Letterboxing enthusiasm. In actual fact, Junior appeared more fascinated by the nearby sheep than the hobby which took him to this point. More interested in the long swaying grass, than the inspiring views of the Moor. More engrossed in the insides of his rucksack than the significance of the day. That's kids, they say. Don't expect it to change anytime soon, they say.</div>
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That all said, I can confidently state Jnr's shirt has it right. "Let the Adventure Begin"! 7 Letterboxes found.</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705400322790143649.post-66714949850548881332017-08-17T23:39:00.000+01:002017-08-17T23:39:33.484+01:00Sell, sell, sell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It might be coincidence, it might be intentional, it might be something in the water, but Postbridge businesses are suddenly up for sale, WITC notes.<br />
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The East Dart Hotel, the Post Office Stores and Beechwood B&B are all up for sale currently, and the village seems ripe for investors. The East Dart Hotel has 14 bedrooms, bar and restaurant (and a Letterbox). It is a substantial property, and yours for £425,000.</div>
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The Post Office Stores - popular with locals and visitors alike - comes with the 4 bedroomed house next door. It has been owned as the family business of Annie & Gerald Smerdon for 17 years. I don't know why they are moving on, but you can take on this busy establishment for £340,000.</div>
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Beechwood B&B gets a 5-star 'Excellent' rating at Tripadvisor.com. Its a 7 bedroomed, 19th century house, with grounds "incorporating a feature pond with waterfall and views to the front over Higher and Lower White Tor", which sounds delightful and is my personal choice at £350,000. </div>
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All three properties are Leasehold, with annual rent payable to the Duchy of Cornwall, so bear this in mind.</div>
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So any budding Peter de Savery's out there, get your skates on, and head to Postbridge!</div>
whoisthechallengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16811538794500598206noreply@blogger.com0