Topsy's Dartmoor Rambles

[Jannyfox]

Anyone remember the film made here the Bellstone fox?

No but I googled it. It was actually filmed mainly on the Quantocks and the train scene was filmed on the West Somerset Railway. If you want a good story about men and foxes A Black Fox Running. Even better if you also know the Haytor area well. That's good in the sense that it's a good story but not always an easy read.

 

[Nod]

Thanks for the Combestone Tor shot - it covers exactly where Mum and Dad are sprinkled.

 

[Topsy]

Week 43.

This week I went over Hurston Ridge to the Stone Row then over to Bennett's Cross and down to the old Mine Ruins at Vitifer then the Golden Dagger Mine Ruins in Soussons Down.
Hurston Stone Row.



Vitifer Mine Ruins.

This Waterfall was hidden in the trees beside the track to the Golden Dagger Mine Ruins.

As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog over on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

 

[Topsy]

Week 44.

This week despite rain forecast I took a risky walk from Kestor Rock over to Teign Head Farm and Clapper Bridge hoping to get out and back before the rain came. Unfortunately the weather forecast was wrong on 2 counts, 1 the timing of the rain and 2 they didn't mention the thunder and lightning. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my blog on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog

I did get all the way out to Teign Head dry with some nice skies.

Kestor Rock.



The Rock Basin.



Teing Head Farm and Clapper Bridge.



Unfortunately after the farm the weather turned very nasty with hailstorms, thunder and lightning. I have to say I was glad the lightning was sheet not fork as I had an aluminium tripod on my backpack.

The storm caught me about 2 miles from the car.



On the way home towards Princetown the clouds broke although the storms were still to the North.

 

[Jannyfox]

The storm wouldn't have been nice (been there done that.......) but that's an awesome photo looking down the wall. The menhir/bond stone is the Longstone and I have an interesting comparison photo taken before it was straightened up. I also have photos of Teignhead Farm from almost exactly your viewpoints but in different weather conditions. The last time I had a good poke round that area I'd come over from Bennetts Cross and the mires were all frozen.
I'm itching to get back down there (a route were I won't drown from below......) but the glimpses of better weather always coincide with me having to be here

 

[Topsy]

The storm wouldn't have been nice (been there done that.......) but that's an awesome photo looking down the wall. The menhir/bond stone is the Longstone and I have an interesting comparison photo taken before it was straightened up. I also have photos of Teignhead Farm from almost exactly your viewpoints but in different weather conditions. The last time I had a good poke round that area I'd come over from Bennetts Cross and the mires were all frozen.
I'm itching to get back down there (a route were I won't drown from below......) but the glimpses of better weather always coincide with me having to be here

Thanks Jan, is this the Longstone you are referring to?

 

[Jannyfox]

That's it.
This is it in 1990 and 2013

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/media/shoveldon-90-jpg.109561/full

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/media/shoveldon-13-jpg.109562/full

 

[Topsy]

Week 45.

Another stormy day on Dartmoor but I found a gap that took me back up to Norsworthy Bridge and over Down Tor to Combshead Tor, as usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog over on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Down Tor Stone Row.



Norsworthy Bridge.



The gap wasn't complete and the storms did catch me but happily I was sheltering in the rocks of Down Tor at the time.

 

[Topsy]

Week 46.

This week I was once again faced with stormy weather so needed a Plan B. I found a gap in the weather that should allow me to get from Pork Hill Car Park to Windy Post across past Vixen Tor to Pew Tor then back via The Wheelwright's Stone under Barn Hill and back to the Car Park before the rains hit (hopefully). As usual you can see the full story and pictures in my Blog over on ePHOTOzine https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Windy Post.



Vixen Tor.



Pew Tor.



The Wheelwright's Stone.



I just got back to the car park in time, this was the view to the West from the Pork Hill Viewing Point.

 

[Jannyfox]

Abit more water in the leat than when I was last in that area in April! I also visited Pew Tor quarry on that day and the water was a deep turquoise green. Looks like it's been flushed out with the recent rain. The one of Vixen Tor across the flood pool with the bit of cloud drifting behind is great.

 

[Topsy]

Abit more water in the leat than when I was last in that area in April! I also visited Pew Tor quarry on that day and the water was a deep turquoise green. Looks like it's been flushed out with the recent rain. The one of Vixen Tor across the flood pool with the bit of cloud drifting behind is great.

Thanks Jan, yes we have had a fair bit or rain just lately.

 

[Topsy]

Week 47.

A hasty "Plan B" this week as the weather forecast changed from dry to stormy overnight with just a 3 hour gap so I needed a walk that I could do in that 3 hours or get another soaking. I went for Ditsworthy Warren House from Gutter Tor Refuge Car Park over to Legis Tor then Gutter Tor and back to the car as this was where the biggest gap in the weather was. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my blog over on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Ditsworthy Warren House.



Legis Tor.



Gutter Tor from the Trig Point.



Then the weather caught up.

 

[Topsy]

Week 48.

The weather was kind and there was no firing on Willsworthy Ranges so I finally managed to get out to The Rattlebrook. I went out from Lane End Car Park over to Nat Tor then Ger Tor, Tavy Cleave Rocks and finally set up above Deadlake Foot to shoot up The Rattlebrook with my Bronica SQ-Ai. Unfortunately the film scans won't be back for another week at least (maybe longer due to Postie Strikes) but I did replicate each shot with a Leica D-Lux Typ109 set to square format (this even shoots the RAW in the square format).

The main shot up Tavy Cleave with Ger Tor on the left (the film shot is slightly wider as the Leica only goes to 24mm equiv but the 40mm I used on the Bronica is a bit wider than that.



The setup.



Here I was (rather precariously) on the edge of Tavy Cleave Rocks.



The shot (digital version) this one is at the equivalent FL as the Bronica's 65mm.



I'll put the film shots in when I get them back, as usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog over on ePHOTOzine, https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

 

[Jannyfox]

That range is a bit of a pain, isn't it, especially since they close such a wide area? I once had a chat to the guy taking the flags down at the end of firing, and his lovely horse. I asked him if he got the quad bike out in winter but he said no, it has to be done on horseback to reduce the environmental impact.
It's fun being out on the Okehampton range when they're blank firing................

 

[Topsy]

That range is a bit of a pain, isn't it, especially since they close such a wide area? I once had a chat to the guy taking the flags down at the end of firing, and his lovely horse. I asked him if he got the quad bike out in winter but he said no, it has to be done on horseback to reduce the environmental impact.
It's fun being out on the Okehampton range when they're blank firing................

It's done on Horseback because the MoD's License to use Dartmoor (whith the Duchy) for live firing prohibits them from using motorised transport except in extremis (like needing to get building repair materials out to fix their infastructure) if they were allowed to use Quads they would.

You're right about the Blank Firing it is disconcerting to hear the firing even though you see no flags, on this walk I could hear Blank Firing but because of the low cloud it seemed loud enough to be live.

 

[Jannyfox]

Blank or real I don't think it sounds any different - certainly not when you're standing in the middle of it. I tend to join the sheep behind a rock. I don't trust them that much........
Could also have been a pheasant shoot off the moor
Low flying helicopters can be fun too...........

 

[Nod]

I don't trust the Dartmoor sheep either!

As always, an interesting set of shots and story behind them.

 

[Topsy]

Week 49.

This week I went to the South Moor on to Harford Common to see Piles Copse and Sharp Tor. TBH I find this part of the Moor rather featureless even a bit barren but there were a couple of surprises for me and Piles Copse is interesting as an Ancient Oak Woodland (one of the only 3 on Dartmoor). As usual you can see the full story and pictures in my Blog. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Piles Copse and SHarp Tor.



Piles Brook.



One of the surprises on the side of Sharp Tor.

 

[Jannyfox]

I love that part of the moor but............. parking. Lane up from Cantrell? My Defender won't get under the limbo bar at Ivybridge station. I can't do a 130 mile round trip that risks not finding anywhere to park and closing parking puts more pressure on other places. I'd love to bang a few heads together and tell them to get their act sorted out.
The stuff on Sharp Tor is part of the old china clay pipeline from Redlake down to Cantrell below Western Beacon

 

[Topsy]

I love that part of the moor but............. parking. Lane up from Cantrell? My Defender won't get under the limbo bar at Ivybridge station. I can't do a 130 mile round trip that risks not finding anywhere to park and closing parking puts more pressure on other places. I'd love to bang a few heads together and tell them to get their act sorted out.
The stuff on Sharp Tor is part of the old china clay pipeline from Redlake down to Cantrell below Western Beacon

Thanks Jan. The 2 times I've gone to this area on the Harford side I've mamaged to find a spot by the Church but it's only a 30 mile round trip for me so not such a risk.

 

[Topsy]

Week 50.

This week there was snow forecast and we were in minus temps so I decided to go to Bellever and Laughter Tors because I could park in the Dartmoor Visitor Centre Car Park which is just off the main road at Postbridge and therefore my drive would be all on gritted roads, I didn't want to risk getting stuck on a frozen lane somewhere. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog. https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Bellever Tor (that's old snow BTW).



Laughter Tor Standing Stone.



I also took in Bellever Bridge and Clapper Bridge.

 

[Topsy]

Forgot to mention, it never did snow.

 

[alexcarnes]

Very much enjoying this thread, thanks! Dartmoor is my old PhD stomping ground, many a happy hour spent on the moor with various cameras!

 

[Topsy]

Very much enjoying this thread, thanks! Dartmoor is my old PhD stomping ground, many a happy hour spent on the moor with various cameras!

Thanks Alex.

 

[Brentor]

I lived in Plymouth in my early years and as a family we often went to the Moors, usually the parts near to Yelverton. At school we were given dire warnings about the bogs, quickly changing weather etc. It is only in recent years, when we have booked a cottage near Tavistock that my wife and I have discovered other parts of Dartmoor and they are delightful. I get the feeling we could spend years exploring Dartmoor and still not see everything.

Hopefully your posts will continue next year as they provide much inspiration.

 

[Topsy]

I lived in Plymouth in my early years and as a family we often went to the Moors, usually the parts near to Yelverton. At school we were given dire warnings about the bogs, quickly changing weather etc. It is only in recent years, when we have booked a cottage near Tavistock that my wife and I have discovered other parts of Dartmoor and they are delightful. I get the feeling we could spend years exploring Dartmoor and still not see everything.

Hopefully your posts will continue next year as they provide much inspiration.

Thanks Stephen, hopefully I'll continue to inspire into 2023. You are right though I have spent many years on Dartmoor and still only know a small bit of it.

 

[mstphoto]

Looks like its an amazing area, Paul
I've enjoyed viewing these images

 

[Topsy]

Looks like its an amazing area, Paul
I've enjoyed viewing these images

Thanks Mike, it is an amazing area and I feel fortunate to have it as my playing ground.

 

[Topsy]

Week 51.

This week I made another trip down to the South part of Dartmoor to visit Western and Ugborough Beacons, once again I was fortunate with the weather. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my blog. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Ugborough Beacon.



Western Beacon.



En-route I visited Butterdon Hill and Hangershell Rock.

Butterdon Hill.



Hangershell Rock.

 

[Topsy]

Week 52.

This is the last Photowalk of 2022, I missed one week due to a work reunion but did still manage to get one shot from Dartmoor that week so this is the 52nd week straight photographing on Dartmoor. It has been a challenge to get out each week, sometimes the weather hasn't been the best and varying the routes to keep it interesting has been a part of that challenge.

Once again the weather lead on decision making for the route, the only area with a remote chance of a dry walk was around Cox, Roos and Gt Staple Tors so that is where I headed for.







Bonus Tor, Vixen.



As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog

 

[Jannyfox]

The right light to catch the thufurs on Cox Tor nicely. The last time I was up there the wind was trying to flatten me...........

 

[Topsy]

The right light to catch the thufurs on Cox Tor nicely. The last time I was up there the wind was trying to flatten me...........

Ha ha, this week it was the Boxing Day walkers that were trying to flatten me. BTW thufurs?

 

[Jannyfox]

Thufurs? T'internet is your friend. They're related to glaciation and the Ice Age. Not just your ordinary everyday Dartmoor hummocks put there to trip over but very special, ancient hummocks. There is a bit of debate over exactly when they formed as some seem to be within hut circles. Unless my ancestors used them as stools and slept somewhere else...........

 

[Topsy]

Thufurs? T'internet is your friend. They're related to glaciation and the Ice Age. Not just your ordinary everyday Dartmoor hummocks put there to trip over but very special, ancient hummocks. There is a bit of debate over exactly when they formed as some seem to be within hut circles. Unless my ancestors used them as stools and slept somewhere else...........

Thanks, here they are from a different direction.

 

[Topsy]

I wondered today whether to start a new topic for this year's 52 Dartmoor Photowalks (challenge) but in the end I decided to keep this one running and add 2023's walks to it.

This week once again the weather dictated where and when I went out, Bank Holiday Monday was it and I was not alone by any stretch. It became difficult to get shots without families and dog walkers in but I managed. I was going up a very popular area to be fair, over Lydford High Down (Brat Tor and Widgery Cross are an easy walk from the car park behind the Dartmoot Inn plus the pub makes the end of th ewalk attractive to many. I chose not to go up Brat Tor to join the masses instead headed out over to Bleak House coming back via Gt Links and Arms Tors. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog over on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog/

Gt Links Tor, I had to wait 20 mins until a family of 4 and their dog finished their picnic sitting around the Trig Point.



Bleak House was lit with rather unremarkable light, blending it to the background quite a lot. I wondered if it had been worth the effort to get out there, I've certainly got better shots before.



After Bleak House I went back via The Dunnagoats and Gt Links Tor.



Then Arms Tor.



Finally back over High Down Ford, looking back I saw the Moon rising amongst the clouds between Arms and Brat Tors.

 

[Jannyfox]

I love that area especially once I've outwalked the doggy walkers. Usually it's only them at that time in the morning but it used to be I could rock up at my chosen parking area and be the only vehicle there, and again when I left. For some reason from some angles I've always thought Great Links looks like a crouching lion, or is that just me...........?
From what I've seen the world, its wife, kids, dogs and all its friend and relatives were out on Dartmoor on the bank holiday. Most of them complaining about how busy it was..............

 

[Boots]

You were blessed with good light. A good set; #1 & #4 are my favourites.

 

[Topsy]

Week 2.

This week has been awful weather, there wasn't a good day at all so I opted for Tuesday (my normal day) and just took whatever the weaqther gave me which was fog, rain and wind. I tried to find an area that was least heavily hit so I went out on the old Dismantled Railway past Ingra Tor up to Swelltor Quarries. The issue I had was the wind and "mizzle" which meant I could only shoot with my back to it which restricts compositon, also thewre was the fog.

Ingra Tor in the fog.



This is the old Quarry Manager's House in Swelltor Quarry.



There is a small disused Quarry in Ingra Tor.



As always you can see the full story and photos in my Blog. https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog/

 

[Nod]

TBH, my favourite weather on the Moor is what you had to contend with! FAR fewer people around so you can usually have the spots all to yourself. Not so good for biking or photography but IMO it's the Moor at its best.

 

[Topsy]

TBH, my favourite weather on the Moor is what you had to contend with! FAR fewer people around so you can usually have the spots all to yourself. Not so good for biking or photography but IMO it's the Moor at its best.

I agree except for the wind. If you get still conditions with the fog it makes for better compositions but the wind on Tuesday was really dibilitating hard and with moisture in it that just gets all over the lens front element and ruins the shots, hence the weak compositions on a lot of the shots (back to the wind only).