Moor Delights.

This morning at breakfast Pete said `lets go to Dartmoor` so we did....we havent been for a while, and although the weather was supposed to be `mixed` we didnt mind, Dartmoor is beautiful in all her moods. The heather was beautiful, like an amethyst carpet covering the moor, and softening the huge grey granite boulders littering it.

We stopped for a coffee with a lovely view across the moor, the sky was darkening all the time, then suddenly it rained a hard sharp downpour, with sleety bits in, and as suddenly as it had started it stopped, and the clouds moved on to rain again in the distance.

We drove on, with the sky like a huge black canopy, in the distance we could see rain falling in the valleys like a fine gauzy curtain, then the sun would break through, and highlight the rolling hillsides only to be swallowed again by the lowering cloud..

We stopped at Kings tor, where there was enough blue sky `to make a sailors collar` and took some photos.

This lovely dun coloured mare and her foal crossed the road to graze on the roadside, we saw lots dotted across the moor, morosely standing with their backs to the rain as it fell....

little streams rushed and bubbled over the granite boulders, the edges starred with tiny yellow flowers and tufty grasses...

and everywhere across the moor the gorse is flowering in bright patches of golden yellow

We decided to travel on to Vixen tor before lunch, the sky ever dramatic

She stood out against the dark background as stately as ever

and so to lunch and back along the road which ran like a black shiny ribbon across the moor, with banks of curly ferns and mountain ash covered in bright orange berries, and all the time a feeling that the summer is slipping away and Autumn is round the corner

at Prince town we went to our favourite cafe which is homely and all the dishes are home made, and had plates of egg and chips and mugs of strong tea, while the rain hammered down outside, and the windows misted up making us feel very cosy inside..

When we left the cafe the sun was shining again, so we wandered around the town, popped into the Visitors centre for leaflets

we also called into the craft centre

where there were some very beautiful things

made by some very talented people

And so we headed home, we stopped at Combestone tor on the way back, it has fabulous views down into the valley, and the slopes were covered in golden gorse

and the tor itself has some wonderful sculptured rocks

Its a very accessible tor, as it stands right beside the road, and a great favourite with everyone

We decided to carry on to Ashburton and as we drove down the hill, I had to stop and take a photo of this sheep who was laying full stretch on top of this grassy bank asleep, I think I woke him up...

Ashburton is a lovely old stannery town, nestling amongst the rolling hills, it is full of gorgeous art and crafty shops, and delightful vintage ones, and the houses are very old and regal

This lovely little stream meanders lazily through the heart of the town, lapping at the ancient walls, where the buddjela nods its purple heads

This lovely old building called The Card house, was once a gaming house, and the slate hung front is covered with different suits of a pack of cards

I was delighted to come across this fantastic Antique reclaimation emporium, it was filled with the most beautiful furniture, lamps and the most amazing chandeliers, what an aladdins cave to be sure, find it here

This wonderful medieval granite arched doorway used to be part of The Mermaid Inn, where General Fairfax the Civil War Roundhead leader stayed, I really enjoyed walking round this fascinating little town, and it was a really enjoyable day despite the weather...

and also because of these lovely treasures I found in a charity shop in Prince town, it was one of those that you just know you`re going to find something interesting in, not smart and bright, but a bit down trodden and dark, but crammed full of unexpected things, and all for the sum of £2.35 what a bargain....made my day, and those dear little tiny glass candlesticks, to die for..

A Peaceful walk..

We decided to go out for a walk today, I really needed the peace of the countryside, I`ve been off work with stress, due to some very evil minded people at work, and I wanted to go somewhere where there were no other human beings....so we drove over to Berry Pomeroy

It was lovely and quiet, just the sound of the wind ruffling the sycamore leaves, and the cooing of a pigeon from the wood. We walked down the little path, where the ferns and great clumps of mint reared up at us in all their summer glory.

Down to the pond, which looked beautiful in the morning sun...

Purple Loosestrife fringed the banks..

and Meadow sweet perfumed the air with its sweet scent..

The Bulrushes were starting to get their lovely dark heads
.
Their leaves were covered in raindrops like hundreds of little shimmering diamonds

Having enjoyed the peaceful solitude of the pond, we took the little windy road beside the wood, the castle watched us broodingly from the hill...

I was amazed how overgrown everywhere was, the hedge was so high it was hard to look over, but I managed to find a hole and was suprised that I couldnt see the little stream that runs across the meadow, because the grasses and flowers had all grown so much since the spring, but I could hear its merry tinkling sound as it wound its way pass the graceful Alders that guarded the banks.

Evenually we came to the lovely little house...

The garden was pretty with pink and orange roses, and there was a wig wam of scarlet flowered beans in the vegetable patch, and a huge Gunnera down the bottom of the garden

In the back garden a man in a vest was cutting the grass, the fumes of the mower hung in the air,
I love the little lean to at the back, I would stand pots of red geraniums on shelves and hang wind chimes by the door...ah if I only owned such a house...

Wistfully I walked on, with lovely views of the undulating Devon hills, rolling into the distance

till the path wound into the wood..

where sunlight dappled the ground and beechmast made a crunchy carpet

it warmed the ferns growing luxariantly on the banks

and highlighted the `traffic light` berries of the Lords and Ladies

Between the branches of the trees we had glimpses of Jersey cows on the hillside, and high above in the windy blue sky, we could hear the mewling cry of a buzzard as it circled..

Evenually the path led to a gate and then down the hillside, where a little stream meandered over mossy stones, and beneath a thicket of Hazel trees.

On a fallen log beneath these trees, was the debris of an old feast I fancy, left perhaps by a mouse, or squirrel.....

A few yards away from the stream, I was delighted to see this lovely old apple orchard, at first I thought it was one of the traditional Devon cider apple orchards, but I dont think it was, but the trees were lovely, gnarled and mossy covered and full of fruit

Behind the orchard was some lovely old farm buildings

A lovely old barn, and low building where there were feeding stalls..

It was a lovely tranquil spot, surrounded by woods, with sheep in a field knee deep in grass

and blackberries ripening in the hedge..

and the little murmuring stream, studded with watercress, and danced over by butterflies, and vibrant blue dragonflies

The path took us on through another gate, where it told us that this was the hamlet of Netherton, there was a lovely rambling old grey stoned house with various old farm buildings dotted about...

and in the meadow at the back, a set of Bee hives...

We decided to turn back at this point, having really enjoyed the beauty of the countryside, and indeed it was certainly balm for my soul, and much needed...