Duncan’s Silver Duke of Edinburgh expedition was on Dartmoor, and I was on the hook for driving half the group down early on Saturday morning, and back on Monday. It seemed to make sense to stay down there and make a long weekend of it.
The journey there was remarkably painless, and once they’d been briefed by the leaders, they set off north from Bennett’s Cross. I was due to meet my uncle in Bovey Tracey for lunch, but had time for a quick circular walk past Grimspound. In addition to the obligatory Dartmoor ponies, I also spotted a fox and some llamas (the latter captive!).
My accommodation for the weekend was YHA Okehampton. It hadn’t really dawned on me how far this was from my lunch destination, until Google decided to route me via the outskirts of Exeter.
On Sunday, I headed up on to Okehampton Ranges. The weather was lovely to begin with, but at my furthest point, the windblown rain arrived. The next hour was fairly unpleasant, but it eventually dried out and I was treated to sunshine again as I returned over High Willhays and Yes Tor. After a quick fish and chip supper, I went to watch Jurassic World Rebirth at Okehampton Cinema. I’m not sure that I’ve ever been to the cinema on my own before!
On Monday morning, I went for a run out along the Two Castles Trail, returning over the fields past Meldon Reservoir. I had time for a quick side trip to Castle Drogo, before setting off south again to meet Duncan and friends at Shipley Bridge. They were much quieter in the car on the return journey but seemed to have had a good time.
A few more photos over on Flickr.