11 minute read
Outdoors & Active
Out and About with Tavistock Ramblers
An easy 4½-mile walk with John Noblet of Tavistock Ramblers. There are spectacular views which are at their best in early spring.
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From the edge of Yennadon Down the walk goes through woodland before emerging onto open moorland above Burrator reservoir. Passing Lowery Tor, Peek Hill and Sharpitor before dropping down to the old Yelverton to Princetown railway track. The line was closed in 1956 and now provides an easy way to enjoy the wide open spaces of Dartmoor. This walk has woodland, open moorland, grassy paths and old railway with two stiles.
Start from the parking area known as Lowery Cross, just off the Princetown road a quarter of a mile beyond Dousland at SX547692. Nearest postcode is PL20 6PD 1. Turn right out of the parking area and then fork left down the lane.
After 100m the lane crosses the line of the old railway. This was known as Lowery Crossing and there was a level crossing and a cottage here.
Almost immediately, at the corner of the conifer plantation, go left over the stile beside a gate.
Take the path up through the trees. Go left at a path junction and continue up the gentle slope, bearing left near the top before going over the ladder stile onto open moorland.
This stile may be challenging for some dogs or young children. 2. Go half right to walk away from the wall with the summit of Peek Hill on the left. There are superb views of Burrator Reservoir and Sheeps
Tor on the right. The flattish profile of Leather Tor soon appears ahead.
See the spectacular sight of cherry trees and fruit trees clothed in pink and white blossom. Book online: rhs.org.uk/bookrosemoor Members go free
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Pass the small outcrop of Lowery Tor above a quarry that produced granite setts of the type still to be seen in Plymouth’s back streets. Continue ahead on the grassy path keeping left of several hawthorn trees, passing within sight of the top of Peek Hill. Until 1970 this was the site of RAF Sharpitor. The large radio transmitter aerial was a landmark for years. Keep straight towards the left side of Leather Tor, with Sharpitor on the left. There are more great views deep into the moor. Pass close to a lone hawthorn to reach the loose rocks at the base of Leather Tor.
3. Turn sharp left towards a single conifer tree. Almost immediately the two car parks below Leedon Tor appear ahead. Make for these, passing though the remains of an ancient settlement with round houses (hut circles) and enclosures. Cross the road with care and bear half left towards Brent Tor on the horizon, across open grassy moorland. There is no obvious track but the moorland soon becomes a wide path as it drops down towards Routrundle and the old railway. Enjoy the views across part of Tavistock towards the hills of Bodmin Moor.
4. Turn sharp left onto the track bed of the Princetown branch.
The views here are spectacular with many of the tors of western Dartmoor visible. It is easy walking now (but beware of cyclists).Cross a small bridge with two gates as the track leaves the open moorland and passes through fields enclosed with dry stone walling. Look for the tower of
Walkhampton Church peeping over the tops of trees to the west. Pass through several more gates before arriving at a modern bridge erected in 2015, crossing the Princetown road.
5. After more gates the track reaches the lane at Lowery
Crossing. Turn right and back to the car parking area.
Tavistock Ramblers normally walk on Saturdays, Sundays and some Wednesdays. By the time you are reading this, it is to be hoped that Covid restrictions will mean we will be able to walk as a group but please be aware of current
Government guidance. Visit the Tavistock Ramblers website www.tavistockramblers. org.uk for the latest situation. However, if Covid restrictions apply you will still find a selection of self-guided walks to enjoy.
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Meavy – A Walker’s Guide to a Beautiful Dartmoor Valley by Peter Swaine
Mine captain’s mystery unfolds in gripping trilogy
Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (Tavistock) is pleased to announce the spring 2021 publication of this companion book to team member
Peter’s popular first volume about the Walkham Valley, with all proceeds going to support the valuable work done by the volunteers of the rescue team.
The A4-size hard cover book contains over 200 photographs and detailed route descriptions of walks exploring every part of the Meavy and its catchment area. From the source near Princetown to its confluence with the Plym at Shaugh Bridge, the Meavy passes through an astonishing variety of landscape. From the mire at Meavy head, through wild open moorland and the beautiful reservoir at Burrator, past impressive rocky tors and dense ancient woodland, the walks reveal the landscape and history of this wonderful valley. The remains of Neolithic burial chambers, stone rows and circles, Bronze Age settlements, abandoned farms, quarrying and mining are all contained within the 41 square kilometres of the Meavy Valley, and this book shows where to find them. Copies of the first edition of ‘Meavy’ are limited to 750, so members of the public are invited to reserve a copy by visiting www.dsrt-tavistock.org.uk and completing the form on the news page. The cost of the book will be £20 + p&p, but no payment is required at this time.
Black as Ink by Petrus Ursem
Calstock based writer Petrus Ursem has recently published ‘Black as Ink’, the final instalment of a thriller which started with ‘The Fortune of the Seventh Stone’ and ‘The Truth Teller’. The central character is thirteen-year-old Steven Honest. In the first book Steven follows a trail to the fortune of a mysterious mine captain. But soon the hunter becomes hunted. The mystery, that Steven and his friend Isabella are so keen to solve, weaves a net of illusions around them. In his search for the words of truth, Steven ultimately faces his most dangerous opponent at a remote Dartmoor location. The story is largely set in the Tamar Valley — local readers will, no doubt, recognise (fictionalised) landmarks. Petrus Ursem has cleverly forged links between past and present, between the mining history and the drive of a teenage boy to find his place in a world at risk of mindgames and betrayal. Ursem says: “Arriving in the Tamar Valley 10 years ago I was immediately struck by the spirit of the place. This landscape is a treasure box for stories and imagination. I’ve had so much fun shaping Steven’s adventure against the intriguing background of the mines, Drakewalls, Cotehele, Buckland, Dartmoor.” The rich layering of mystery and meanings, and the challenge to find answers and truths make these books a real treat for grown-ups, too. A reader commented: “You won’t want to put it down! Ursem’s quirky style consistently heads into philosophical reflection and reveals itself ultimately as a truly touching ‘coming of age’ tale. A great read for teens to adults.”
All books can be ordered from Book Stop, Tavistock, or from www.petrus-ursem.co.uk, and are also available from libraries in Plymouth, Tavistock and Okehampton: The Fortune of the Seventh Stone (Part I, £8.99); The Truth Teller’ (Part II, £8.99); Black as Ink (Part III, £9.99); Complete trilogy: £24. Petrus Ursem is available for talks in schools or village halls, either online or in person, email peter@peterursem.co.uk
Book recommendations for spring
By Simon Church of Book Stop, Tavistock
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Nora Seed is in a dark place, and it’s getting darker by the hour. Job, friends, family, pet, all slipping away. And it could have been so different. If only she’d pursued her talents - swimming, music, science. If only she’d stuck with the band. If only she’d persisted with Dan. So much to regret, so little light, so... what’s the point in going on? With his customary wit, Matt Haig’s wonderful new novel addresses the heaviest and deepest of issues with the lightest of touches, and asks is it really the choices we make and the twists and turns of fate that determine our happiness, and how might it be if we respond to these highs and lows with greater acceptance and less attachment? If ever there was a book about depression to brighten up your day then this is it! Just out in paperback, we still have signed copies in stock at the time of writing. Published by Canongate: £8.99 More recommended reads from Book Stop: Olive Again by Elizabeth Strout One of our books of 2020, now out in paperback; £8.99 Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro Brand new literary fiction from this multi-award-winning author; £20 The Louder I Will Sing by Lee Lawrence Winner of the Costa Biography Award; £8.99 A Poem for Every Day of Spring by Allie Esiri Beautifully illustrated children’s poetry collection; £14.99 Fing by David Walliams Latest Walliams caper, just out in paperback; £6.99 Guidelines permitting, we will maintain our ‘click and collect’ and mail order service throughout lockdown periods. Call us on 01822 617244, email bookstoptavistock@gmail.com or order online at uk.bookshop.org/shop/ bookstoptavistock
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• • • Nearby shopping facilities. Pets considered. St. Ann’s Chapel has a post office and store. Woodland surroundings with views of the rolling hills of Dartmoor.
• • • Good shopping facilities. Plenty to explore. Dartmoor is only a 10 minute drive away.
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Tech tips from Chezvous PC
When Windows 10 starts up, for the vast majority of us the picture is blurred before you get to the desktop. To remove the blurry image and see one of Microsoft’s lovely pictures, go to settings, type ‘transparency’ and choose ‘show transparency in windows’ in the search box. This will take you to the correct section in Settings, where you can turn off ‘transparency effects’ - et voila! Watch out for websites that seem to do the job you want, but for a price, where you can actually do it for yourself at no cost. I am thinking of two specific examples, but I am sure there are more. I found myself wanting to SORN my wife’s car and quickly searched for the service on Google only to find they wanted £37.50 to do it in 7 days or £27.50 in 30 days. I abandoned it, thought about it and went to the DVLA site where I did it myself for free. The same is true of EHIC cards: there is a site that charges for it or you can do it for free on the correct site. These are not scams, but they are certainly not the genuine article. (www.cyberaware.gov.uk) I’ve long been a fan of the ‘Snipping Tool’ in Windows. It is changing to ‘Snip & Sketch’ which means it will be removed at some stage. The simple change means if you want to take a screenshot you start the process by pressing the Windows logo key + shift + S. This starts the app and from there you have a few more options than before, but basically it’s a new look in line with Windows 10 rather than 7. I find it very useful. If you live rurally and your internet is not very good then there are some options such as satellite broadband, Airband or 4/5G mobile broadband or you wait for BT to roll out an upgrade. I am of the opinion that conventional broadband and mobile broadband will be the way things will be going and Airband and satellite will be things of the past. Recent experience leads me to suggest South West Mobile Broadband, installers based in Axminster. There are other local communications installers and suppliers of course, but it is worth getting a site survey first to see if it is at least possible. The change in speed can be incredible.
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