Sunday, 6th November 2011

We could only spare the afternoon this Sunday, but since walking conditions were perfect, We headed for the Newleycombe Valley, out to Older Bridge, returning via Crazywell Pool. A PDSA charity walk has been sited in a loop of the valley, but we extended the route to cover more of the Northern bank exploring the hillsides between Drivage Bottom and the Devonport Leat Aquaduct.

Parking among the crowds at Norsworthy Bridge close to the shores of Burrator Reservoir, it was in warm sunshine that we set off. The PDSA walks never fail to disappoint, and all stamps were present and correct today. We were making great progress on the route, but then made the error of deviating over Cramber Tor to Raddick Hill. Here we had far less success, and found ourselves rapidly running out of daylight. Sunset is at just 4.45pm at the moment, which feels unseasonably early!

Indeed, Summer was on our minds when we studied Burrator water levels from the road on the drive in. www.southwestwater.co.uk confirms that (as of Oct 30th) Burrator stood just 68% full (compared to 89% full at this point last year).

Our photo shows just a few of today's collection of stamps. We will endeavour to get out boxing again tomorrow.

Saturday, 5th November 2011

"A keen Northerly wind" was forecasted, and that is exactly what we experienced on today's walk. Starting at Blackaton Cross near Cadover Bridge, we headed due East passing Hexton Tor, Shell Top and Broadall Gulf. Our destination was the Upper river Yealm. The Upper Yealm valley is usually deserted of people, but the tinners workings, Steps and Rocks provide ample interest and subject matter for letterboxes.

As Dartmoor's rivers go, the Yealm is a pretty minor affair. Its only 12 miles long, which is short compared to the other source to sea rivers such as the Erme (17 miles), Plym (20 miles) and Teign (32 miles).

Recent rainfall has made the catchment area boggy again. The Redlake walk of the last post was notable by how dry the moor was becoming after a long Summer, but today WITC was suddenly regretting not proofing the walking boots more recently. Our climb out of the valley was proceded to the summit trig of Pen Ridge, or the un-named hill top North of Broadall Gulf. Here, the 360 degree views are as superb as you'd see anywhere on Dartmoor. From here, we surveyed the view South. A wide panorama from Burgh Island to South East Cornwall. We returned to the car following the line of HWB (Hentor Warren Bound) stones passing above Hen Tor (pictured). 13 miles covered, and 19 boxes found.

Off the beaten track

Last week, WITC followed an indistinct sheep path to the great Dartmoor Alp that is Redlake Tip. A manmade heap of china clay spoil from the early 20th century.

Approaching the works from the South West, you are faced with piles of masonry and ironwork. Signs of a Dartmoor industry which was typically hard work and short lived. As far a historical landmarks go, this is quite a prominent one.

The weather was mild and sunny. Though it was blowing a gale at home, WITC was pleasantly surprised that the wind was not compass bearing inhibitive on the moor.

We found a few letterboxes along the way. To be exact, we found 36 - every one on our list, plus a few extra! Whilst we had no first-in-books, it did go to show that we should visit this area more often, and proved that the box thief is not in control yet!

Battle Plans Part III - Any clearer?

So the Defence Ministry came up with the goods. A CD-ROM jam-packed with plans, maps, summaries and annexes. There was a lot of background information provided. Dartmoor for Dummies. A thorough introduction to the National Park, and what the armed forces do there.

We read the whole thing. Some two years after the ring road closed, just what exactly are they going to do next? And when? The main difference between this year's IRMP and last year's edition is the budget allowances provide more information on timescales. We've discovered the following:

During the financial year of 2012, the budget has been put in place to carry out the following action:

To combine Watern Oke flagpole and a 'look out'. Presumably the huts and flagpole which currently are a hundred metres or more apart, will meet up in 2012.

Walkham Spur flagpole is to be relocated, a 'look out' constructed and access works to take place on slopes near Fuges Post and Walkham Head.

Three flagpoles in the Okehampton Training area will be removed. We aren't told which ones, though the plan does suggest that Yes Tor's flagpole removal is of a higher priority than any other. Fordsland Ledge is due to have it's FP moved to Black Tor.

Repair and maintain the existing track up to Target Railway/West Mill Tor to allow access for 2 wheel drive cars. This is ongoing work, beginning next year. The target railway is due to be put back into working order the year after.

In other news:

In 2009, a trial of lowering the flagpoles when not carrying the warning signals was carried out. Results were mixed with some objecting to the removal of landmarks used for navigation (bearings!!) and few noting any benefits. Consequently, and given the additional cost, the flagpoles are not being lowered any more.

Good news if you've tried walking due North from Holming Beam recently...

"North of Holming Beam, at the corner of the prison fence, a rivulet with steep sides inhibits access. A sleeper bridge would protect the sides of the rivulet and curtail the erosion from stock and walkers seeking the best place to cross. Permission for works on common land will be sought"

(IRMP Final 2010, Vol 2, A-MilitaryUse, MU-13)

The 2013/4 budget has this covered. The buildings at Holming Beam are due to reach the end of their useful life, and in 2016/7 - so the plans say - they will be rebuilt as part of a new complex including relocated flagpole and mobile lookout.

One curiosity of last year's IRMP was about a new track linking Willsworthy Camp and Baggator. Indeed this includes a new crossing on the Tavy (neither a ford or bridge are mentioned). The plan states:

"There is an existing access track from Lookout 1 down to the Yellowmead Farm entrance. At this point, the track becomes obscured around the old farm buildings but is more prominent down to and across the stream. At the gate into the fields to the east of Yellowmead, grass marks indicate where traffic goes but the ground is soft. The proposal is to remove top soil throughout the section and consolidate hardcore to make an all weather track joining Lookout 1 with the Lane End car park.

After Lane End, a hard track goes to Nattor Farm after which it peters out. The aspiration is to extend this track down to and across the River Tavy onto ground, which would require the land owner’s agreement. From there the track will need to be engineered to climb the hill arriving eventually at the back of Standon Farm.

From Standon the track would then have to be constructed from scratch to run along the MOD freehold boundary below Standon Hill crossing the Baggator Brook above Baggator House and so to a position where a new agreement would be necessary to extend the track. From there the track would rise to Baggator Lookout to the south and South Common Plantation."

(IRMP Final 2010, Vol 2, A-MilitaryUse, MU-12)

This work is due for completion by 2015.

References:

Clark, Lt Col T; Loch, J; Sharpe, N; O’Leary, D; Mann, T; Brooks, R; Brown, M; Howells, O (2010) Dartmoor Training Area, Integrated Rural Management Plan, Volume 1 – Summary, and Action and Monitoring Plans. 2010-2020 (Review 2015), Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Ministry of Defence, Sutton Coldfield.

Clark, Lt Col T; Loch, J; Sharpe, N; O’Leary, D; Mann, T; Brooks, R; Brown, M; Howells, O (2010) Dartmoor Training Area, Integrated Rural Management Plan, Volume 2 – Component Management Plans. 2010-2020 (Review 2015), Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Ministry of Defence, Sutton Coldfield.

Battle plans Part II

Following on from our post 'Battle Plans' (29/09/2010), we've requested the latest Integrated Rural Management Plan via a Freedom Of Information request. This appears to be the only way to discover just what the Ministry Of Defence have planned for the moor.

A year ago, we were informed of potential development to MOD property, the relocations of flagpoles and observation posts. There were adjustments outlined as to land use, including increased use of tracked vehicles to reflect training needs of the military in Afghanistan.

The MOD were also due to invest in new environmental projects. This would undoubtedly appeal to the Prince of Wales, especially since the MOD needs to renegotiate a licence to train on Duchy property. A current 21 year licence with the Duchy expires in 2012.

The above email arrived this week. It could be the most boring outcome ever, but maybe, just maybe, there will some interesting news to bring you from this new IRMP. More as we get it.

Fish!

Last month, on the River Lyd an environmental disaster was averted. A leaky cooling system at the Ambrosia Creamery at Lifton spilt a serious amount of oil into the river. The Lyd is an important tributary of the River Tamar, which is a spawning ground for Salmon, Sea Trout and Brown Trout. The Environment Agency were alerted to the incident by a member of the public who noticed an oily sheen on the water and a strong odour in the area. A swift response involving booms and skimmers to remove the oil was successful and an agency spokesman has said there have been no fish deaths or lasting damage to the environment. Well done to them for their efforts.

With this story in mind, we went searching for boxes (and fish) up the Lyd on our most recent walk.

Starting at the car park behind the Dartmoor Inn, and taking the true left bank of the river upstream to Tigers Marsh and at Lyd Head turning North to Corn Ridge. Our search for fish was unsuccessful. It is far easier spotting trout in a leat than Salmon in a river.

Our search for boxes was far more productive, with 16 stamps collected.

The sun was high and hot as we surveyed the crowd free view from Branscombes Loaf. It has been too long since whoisthechallenger had been out boxing, and it felt good to feel Dartmoor turf beneath the feet again. We let gravity assist us on the way home, and followed the Rattlebrook Peat Railway from the famous 'points', where the trains would have turned, past Great Nodden and back to the car.

Devil makes work for idle hands

The work of others. Location: Manga Cairn.