26 February 2012 – Walk: Dawlish Warren to Teignmouth (8.5 Miles)

Synopsis: A video day out. Giving my new camera a trial in video mode to test the camera’s capability. A glorious sunny and warm day meant it felt as if spring had arrived, and everyone was out enjoying it.

Photo Set – Flickr -:- (Map)

GPS Tracklog Download (.gpx) Microsoft OneDrive -:- Google Drive

 

Tracklog and Photos - Google My Map

Tracklog overlay - OSM – ViewRanger -:- OS – WheresThePath

 

(selection of photos from Flickr photo set – use link above to view album)

No trains today, at least none along the coastal track to Teignmouth, presumably because of maintenance,  therefore little choice but to use the bus. I took the bus as far as Dawlish Warren which is where I chose to start my walk.

I’ll keep this blog brief, as there’s not a lot of interest to say. I set my main object of the day being to give my new digital SLR a video trial, something that I’d yet to try. I felt I should at least check the camera does function in this respect as it should, and begin to know it’s limitations, as limitations there almost certainly would be if you try to use a still camera as a video camera.

Dawlish Warren

At Dawlish Warren I walked down the beach to where the waves were breaking and videoed the waves and various dogs darting in and out of the sea. The camera handled most of this pretty well; two issues were detectable at this stage: wind noise was picked up by the on-camera microphone, and zooming in and out using the manual lens zoom was rather jerky.

 

 

Dawlish Warren - Red Rock Cafe

 

 

 

From Dawlish Warren I followed the coastal path past the Red Rock Cafe and on towards Dawlish. I stopped briefly to film and photograph the rock pools glinting in the sun. At Dawlish I wandered onto the beach to eat some lunch.

Dawlish - benches at Coryton Beach

 

After lunch I felt there were two things I should search out and film in Dawlish, the black swans for which it is famous and colourful flower beds, for which it is also well known. I actually drew a blank on both accounts. The black swans were nowhere to be seen, and the flower beds were looking rather lame.

Note: I later discovered the black swans had had a family of signets, and that would have been the explanation for my not seeing them on this occasion.

 

Dawlish - pansy

I did see this lovely pansy radiant in the sun at Dawlish and that gave me a a chance to try out some macro photography. I actually discovered the ‘macro’ setting on my camera does a pretty good job at capturing these shots. This camera function does take control of the ISO setting but provided you’re happy for that to happen, it does get the shot, using what is not really a macro lens, about as well as you’re going to capture it.

Ah well, onwards and upwards out of Dawlish to Teignmouth. They may not have black swans but I was confident they could serve up better flower beds than Dawlish could manage at this time.

Coast path between Dawlish and Teignmouth - Daffodils

 

 

 

 

The best daffodils that I did actually see were those en route to Teignmouth, at the small village of Holcombe. These were big, bold and very yellow, just as daffodils should be.

 

 

 

 

 

At Teignmouth I did a little more videoing, particularly on the Teign Estuary, where the ferry to Shaldon was making its last journeys of the day. The sun was beginning to set by this time and a small bank of fog seemed to be appearing.

Teignmouth – Standard exposure

Teignmouth – HDR image created from 3 exposures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve begun to experiment with a photographic technique known as High Dynamic Range (HDR) or tone-mapping. I'd noted that a number of photographers were placing HDR images on Flickr and had made it my intention to explore the technique myself. I’m not as yet sufficiently practised at this to do it well, but I’ve included an early attempt of mine alongside it’s ‘straight’ version above. I feel there’s potential in this and will pursue further.

I did one last circuit of the town and front before heading to pick up my bus due to arrive at 17:53. A fairly relaxed pace today left me feeling nicely rested. I enjoyed the little bit of filming that I did, and was pleased with how competently my camera performed, considering it’s a DSLR. I’ve compiled some of my video clips from today in a short (6:44) video which can be found below.

Large screen: Standard Def -:- High Def

Conclusions drawn from today's camera video trial:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Automated exposure compensates for fluctuations in light levels
2. Automated exposure variations are not smooth
3. Camera has to be pre-focussed - no auto-adjustments during filming
4. Zooming in/out cannot not be done smoothly
5. Camera's microphone picks up extraneous noise
6. Video capture quality is very high
7. Use of a tripod would significantly improve end result
8. Finally: a DSLR is not a substitute for a dedicated video camera

(Video saved from Movie Maker at 1280x720 pixels, widescreen)

PS. In case you were thinking the stretch of railway at Dawlish is always as calm as it was on this day, check out this YouTube video of trains running the gauntlet during a storm.

Walk Statistics:

Total Distance: 8.5 miles
Moving Time: 3hrs 48min
Stopped Time: 1hr 57min
Total Ascent: 249 metres
Maximum Elevation: 81 metres

Buses: 2

19 February 2012 – Walk: Buckland-in-the-Moor and Grey Park Wood (8.9 Miles)

Synopsis: Inspired to go woodland walking so I chose Grey Park Wood with Ruddycleave Water running through it. Then, via the tiny hamlet of Ponsworthy, proceeded along Dr Blackall’s Drive back to car.

Photo Set – Flickr -:- (Map)

GPS Tracklog Download (.gpx) Microsoft OneDrive -:- Google Drive

 

Tracklog and Photos - Google My Map

Tracklog overlay - OSM – ViewRanger -:- OS – WheresThePath

 

(selection of photos from Flickr photo set – use link above to view album)

The predicted weather for today had been sunny for quite sometime, and yet I had no plans for today. I’d recently come across the VisitWoods web site and had been impressed with how well authored this site is. It’s possible to quickly and easily find extremely useful information about woods open to public access in your area. Through the use of this site I came across Grey Park Wood on Dartmoor, which I thought would be ideal, as it would be possible to plan a walk that encompassed the wood and also include some open moorland walking. I hastily scrambled together a rather optimistic walk route, loaded this to my GPS device, and set off from home.

I say ‘optimistic’, because my planned walk was nearly nine miles, it was one o’clock before I was parked and ready to walk, and it’s February. I could see from the maps I examined that there were various ‘escape routes’ along lanes that I could follow if the light began to fail me.

River Dart - picnic spot

Initially my walk followed the course of the River Dart at a spot very popular with families and picnickers (see photo right). There were a lot of canoeists about on the river today; this is evidently becoming an increasingly popular sport with old and young alike. After about half a mile the lane swoops left and steeply upwards, in the direction of Buckland-in-the-Moor.

Southern entrance to Grey Park Wood

 

 

 

Part way along this stretch of lane I came to a Woodland Trust Welcome sign (at this location) which pointed my way onto a track into Grey Park Wood. The walking along this track was easy and gently ascending. Eventually the track swooped down to where there was a bench beside the fast flowing Ruddycleave Water, an ideal place at which to eat lunch.

Grey Park Wood - Ruddycleave Water - the perfect spot for lunch

 

 

 

Before eating I decided to follow the course of the stream down the hillside. I walked to a point where the track diverted right from the stream, possibly in the direction of another entrance to the woods that I’d noted on my climb, probably an unofficial access point to Grey Park Wood (at this location). From here I returned to the bench by the stream to eat my lunch.

Grey Park Wood - Ruddycleave Water - clapper bridge

After lunch I continued along the track that follows, against the flow, the course of Ruddycleave Water. A little way short of where this track joins the road there is a clapper bridge (at this location) across the stream. This is a particularly picturesque spot, water rushing by, bright green moss covered boulders, and sun streaming through the branches of trees.

 

 

 

 

Bridge

 

 

Continuing on from the clapper bridge for about one tenth of a mile I came to a road bridge at a place, according to my OS map, named, appropriately enough, Bridge. This is the top entrance to the Grey Park Wood track, there being another Woodland Trust Welcome sign here (at this location). There is a small collection of charming cottages at this very idyllic corner of the woods that makes this look archetypal Devon.

Buckland-in-the-Moor - St Peter's Church

 

It was now 15:15, and I needed to clock some miles, so I set off up the hill in the direction of Buckland-in-the-moor. I see Wikipedia states this village had a population of 94 in 2001, and I don’t suppose it’s grown much since then. I was about to enter the church when I noticed that a service was taking place, so all I could do was note it’s grand location and walk on. There are said to be granite stones with the 10 (or is that 11) Commandments carved on them nearby, but once again, time did not allow for me seek these out.

I followed the lane in the direction of Ponsworthy. At a point where the lane dropped to a small clutch of houses, a place called Cockingford, I picked up a permissive path to the left, which took me across fields, gradually climbing to where it rejoined the lane to Ponsworthy.

Ponsworthy - old farm houses by ford

There appeared to be a few small cottages for sale in Ponsworthy. Ideal for anyone with a taste for  wild and remote locations. There’s a small collection of what look to be very old farm buildings near to a ford. I crossed this ford and headed up the hill which took me onto open moorland. I picked up a track which cut across the boundaries of a medieval field system before I reached the start point of Dr Blackall’s Drive.

 

Dr Blackall's Drive

 

By now, 17:00, the sun was beginning to set and I had 2.2 miles still to walk. I knew I would have just enough daylight in which to complete my walk. The views out across the Dart Valley, with Venford Reservoir occasionally in sight, are splendid. The moor takes on a special quality as evening comes on, so being out late in the day has its compensations.

 

I reached my car at 17:55, and light was fading fast. I enjoyed the last tea from my flask as I contemplated what had been an enjoyable day. How lucky I am to have all this so close to home.

Walk Statistics:

Total Distance: 8.9 miles
Moving Time: 3hrs 22min
Stopped Time: 1hr 05min
Total Ascent: 526 metres
Maximum Elevation: 354 metres

Buses: (none); Travelled by car to start, a distance of 25 miles.

02 February 2012 – Trip: Dartmoor with Mum

Synopsis: A quick stroll at Burrator Reservoir. Lunch at the Skylark Inn, Clearbrook. An abortive walk along the banks of River Walkham. A sunset walk along a stretch of Dr Blackall’s Drive.

Photo Set – Flickr

 

The previous day I’d been up on Dartmoor and could see how pretty it looked with a light covering of snow. I thought Mum might like a trip out, the weather forecast for today looked promising, so, with walking shoes on board, off we set for the moor.

Burrator Reservoir - Disused Quarry - Icicles

The snow of yesterday was still covering the high hills of the moor, the temperature having remained very low these last 24 hours. The roads however remained clear, so progress was easy. We stopped for a quick stroll at Burrator Reservoir before lunch, parking just below Sheepstor. The reservoir was well stocked with cobalt blue water. We saw a small family of Canadian Geese on the shores of the reservoir. The ice dripping from a disused quarry shows just how cold it was.

 

Clearbrook - The Skylark Inn for lunch

 

 

 

 

 

We returned to our car and drove once around the reservoir. I then drove us on to Clearbrook where we stopped for lunch at the Skylark Inn. I’d heard good report of the food served here, and was well aware how busy it could become, especially at weekends. I think this is in part due to its proximity to Plymouth. But that is not to say the food isn’t good. Mum and I had a really nice lunch, including the all important puddings.

River Walkham – walk progress blocked

 

My plan for the next stage in our day out was to walk the footpath that runs along the banks of the River Walkham. We started off well from the car park adjacent to the main A386 road, but soon found ourselves hindered by an impassable (at least for Mum) stretch of path that had seemingly been eroded by the river. Disappointingly we had no choice but to turn back. I will confess it was cold in the river valley, shaded from the sun, on a cold day such as it was today.

Feeling rather cheated of our walk, I considered other easy walking options on the moor that would be suitable for Mum. I concluded Dr Blackall’s Drive could well prove a good option, so off we set on a drive across the high snow-topped moor once again.

Dr Blackall's Drive – in the setting sun

 

 

 

We picked up the track which is Dr Blackall’s Drive, a short drop from the car park. The walking here did have the advantage that we were in sun, but as evening was coming on, it was noticeable how quickly the temperature was dropping. We went only as far as a point from which we could take in something of the view down the steep gorge of the River Dart; here we turned and retreated to our car. It was a lovely short walk all the same, and adequate compensation for failing to complete our river walk.

 

 

On the drive home I suggested to Mum hot soups might be what we needed to warm us up. Mum obliged with a couple of bowls of tomato soup which provided the necessary quota of inner warmth. We put on the King’s Speech DVD to nicely round off the day. Come the end I think we both felt that it had been a really pleasant way to spend the day.

01 February 2012 – Walk: Yellowmead Circles and Cuckoo Rock (4.6 Miles)

Synopsis: Yellowmead stone circles are a series of concentric rings believe to date from the Neolithic or early Bronze Age. Along Narrator Brook, past ruined Deancombe Farm, and then a climb to Cuckoo Rock.

Photo Set – Flickr -:- (Map)

GPS Tracklog Download (.gpx) Microsoft OneDrive -:- Google Drive

 

Tracklog and Photos - Google My Map

Tracklog overlay - OSM – ViewRanger -:- OS – WheresThePath

 

(selection of photos from Flickr photo set – use link above to view album)

This is another walk outlined by Gillian Adams on her excellent blog, Divine Dartmoor Walks. I say another, as my previous walk, Wistman’s Wood, was also a walk of Gillian’s. I knew the parking places where suggested by Gillian would be quite few, so I opted to pull up on the verge a little short of that point.

A herd of Highland cattle - distinguished by their shaggy coats and long horns

There were some long horn Highland cattle roaming around on the track near to the scout hut. These had long shaggy coats, deep ruddy red in colour, which shined in the sun. They seemed remarkably docile and at ease with the people passing by. They may be a long way from home, but they look the part here in the Dartmoor landscape.

 

 

 

Yellowmead Stone Circles

I was thankful I had programmed my GPS with Gillian’s route, as I could so easily have passed by Yellowmead Stone Circles without spotting them if I hadn’t pinpointed them on my GPS. Over the years I’ve walked past this way on numerous occasions and not known they were there. Although the stones are not large in size, the fact that they are set in what is presumably a ritualistic pattern, reasons for which are quite unknown, does give the circles a certain appeal. What was it that made the setting of stones in concentric circles so important to these people?

Narrator Brook

 

The path from the stone circles rises gradually to a ridge and then drops to the corner of some trees. Continuing almost straight on, eventually I dropped down to the Narrator Brook. Here amongst the trees, the sun streaming through the branches, the babbling brook the only sound to be heard, the space felt very tranquil. I found a fallen tree in the sun to sit on and eat my lunch, sheltered from the chill wind that was blowing on the higher ground.

 

Narrator Brook - Clapper Bridge

 

 

 

After lunch the path I walked followed the course of the Narrator Brook to a point where I crossed the stream over a clapper bridge. It is thought that the stones of this clapper bridge may well have come from the Yellowmead Stone Circles, which, when you see them, seems highly plausible.

Ruined Deancombe Farm

 

From here the path ascends gradually along a track until the ruins of Deancombe Farm are reached. Apparently this farm was worked up until the 1930s. The ruins are quite substantial, suggesting Deancombe Farm was quite a major concern. I wonder if any photos exist from the time when it was a working farm. Today all the ruins are coated in a layer of bright green moss, perhaps emblematic of a lingering dampness that embraces this shaded valley location.

Cuckoo Rock - the moon above

 

 

Walking on from Deancombe Farm the next destination on this walk, Cuckoo Rock, comes into view almost immediately. It’s simply the largest rock on the hillside. The sun was shining on it causing it to look almost white. The moon came into view as I approached the rock, so I was just able to grab this shot of both together. My smart new camera with exposure bracketing might just be worth the not inconsiderable expense.

Narrator Brook

 

 

 

From here my path took me down the side of the valley where I had a couple of streams to cross, but this proved easy enough, even at this time of year. Once again, I found it rather idyllic, by the stream glistening cobalt blue in the acute rays of the sun.

I then followed a simple course across open moorland as mapped out for me by my GPS. It wasn’t long before the trees surrounding the scout hut were once again in sight.

Not a long walk, but quite varied and extremely interesting. I’d say it was highly recommended.

Walk Statistics:

Total Distance: 4.6 miles
Moving Time: 2hrs 13min
Stopped Time: 54min
Total Ascent: 309 metres
Maximum Elevation: 336 metres

Buses: (none)