Well It has been a while since I posted anything.....come to think of it it has been a while since I have been walking!! A busy summer of sorting children out has meant that there has been little time to get out on the moor and have a wander around. I have had to limit myself to the delights of reading the posts of others and looking on with slightly envious eyes at the great walks everyone has been doing. It also gave me a chance to try out the new secondhand camera......had a a few problems with it though...mostly operator based.....must read manual before next weekend!!
Well the children are sorted (more or less) and the wife is off away next weekend so I thought I had best get a leg stretch in so I can make the most of next weekend (weather permitting and provinding she doesn't leave too many jobs to do/11). The original plan here had been to go to Burrator and walk around the reservoir area but a late start and vast amounts of rain over the last few days led me to think that this route might be less boggy/soggy and wet and was nearer to home. Also I have done this route before (more or less) and much of it was on well made up paths.
The weather was really good with bright sunshine and a strong wind which made it quite pleaseant on the tops although as I soon discovered though, was that as soon as you left the well made up paths you were mostly shin deep in bog!! All the rain has turned Dartmoor into a giant sponge and anything outside of tracks was just downright hard work.
I don't plan to say too much about the walk as I have covered this previously and details can be found at:
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=18542
This is just a slight variation of that route.
Here are a few photo's though of slightly better conditions than the report mentioned above and I have to say having done this largely neglected part of the South Moor it's offers some superb views/vista's across the whole of the South devon coast - although not sure these pictures do it justice!!
- Beano Wants a Walk!
- Western Beacon from start of walk
As you start to climb you get a good view west of the china clay works and man made hills at Whiteworks:
- Whiteworks
and a good view south over Ivybridge to the sea!
- Back towards Ivybridge & the sea
The way ahead is looking nice and clear:
- Sharptor and Ugborough
As you continue the steady climb Plymouth sound comes into view:
- Plymouth Sound (telephoto)
- Stone Row below Piles Hill
Then start the climb up onto Piles Hill passing Hobajons Cross - known locally as "Hoppyjon" - apparently there seems to be a theory that this a replacement cross for one much older cross that once stood here and was removed in 1557 and the old one was used as a marker stone at Three Barrows on Brent Manor! (Since been broken up!)
- Ancient Stone Cross - Hobajons Cross
On the summit of Piles Hill you have the longstone or recumbent longstone. Apparently this has been set upright in the past a couple of times.....but clearly prefers a leisurely lounge!!
- Recumbent Stone on Piles Hill
Also a good spot on a good day to view Plymouth Sound!
- Spot the Ferry!
Also a good place to view where you are going to end up later!
- Looking back to Ugborough (l) and Western (r) Beacons
Then carrying on to Sharptor and Ugborough Moor.
- Sharptor Summit Mound
It is then an about turn and follow the Two Moors Way back towards where you have come from but then when you get just below Glasscombe Ball take a left and go past Spurrells Cross towards the Ugborough Beacon.
- Stone Cross - Spurrells cross
It is then a steady climb, splodge, dodge and occasional splash to the summit!
- Ugborough Beacon
- Ugborough Beacon Summit
From the summit I headed down towards Crebers Rock and a strange looking post - again I wonder whether this is like the posts you find on Hameldown above Widecombe. These posts were planted during WW2 to stop German gliders and planes form landing - not sure whether this is the same though!
- Mystery Post below Crebers Rock
From Crebers its a stright line across to Butterdon Hill via a small stream crossing and more splodging to the summit.
- Trig on Butterdon Hill
and then on to the Western Beacon
- Western Beacon
and then a gentle walk off the moor and back to wence you started! All in all a nice wander on a really nice day .....and not another soul around!!
I love the views out to the sea but the first shot of your little dog made me laugh as he looks so grumpy, great report mate, good to see you out and about on Dartmoor again 
