Dartmoor Shortcut
|
A Shortcut Across a Corner of
Dartmoor
 Up at the crack of sparrows this
morning to close Eva down to go into storage before
setting off to look after Edward for the day.
 Our now regular feathered friendly
visitors were most offended that their fat balls had been packed away. All done
by 09:02, a kiss for the girl, a good wish for her
first time in the yard with so many new friends to make, keys in to reception
and off to Ernesettle. Great fun with Edward who wanted a carry no sooner than
we had set off for the shops, but the second he saw grandpa who had gone back
for the pushchair than those little legs shot off like a rocket. Miff and Andrew
came in around four and off we went to Adam and Jen’s to drop Faye’s birthday
present off. Happy fifth birthday for tomorrow darling Duchess. Just as we left
the radio chirped that there was a road closure by South Brent, big queues. We
decided on a new route to Kate and Mark’s in Swindon – to cross the bottom
corner of Dartmoor.
 We worked out that it is at least ten years since we
took this route, lovely to be on the moor once
again.
   Beautiful in the sunshine but
easy to picture the swirling mists of winter when the whole moor becomes a Great
Expectations film set. Dartmoor National
Park is an area of moorland in southern Devon
that covers 954 kilometres (368 square miles).
The granite which forms the uplands dates from the Carboniferous Period of geological history. The moorland is capped with many exposed granite hilltops known as tors, providing habitats for Dartmoor wildlife. The highest point is High Willhays, 621 metres (2,037 feet) above sea level. The entire area is rich in antiquities and archaeology. Parts of Dartmoor have been used as military firing ranges for over 200 years. The public is granted extensive land access rights on Dartmoor (including restricted access to the firing ranges) and it is a popular tourist destination.
Typical edging.
Huge, almost barren green space. Once settled in Swindon, we are on duty as Kate has her gall bladder removed on the morrow – fingers crossed for keyhole and a speedy recovery. Looking forward to seeing Team Tinson and spending time with Jack and Seth, for now the seemingly endless bit of the moor.
ALL IN ALL STILL A RUGGED BEAUTY VERY PRETTY |
