Synopsis: A hike with family to the waterfall on the East Dart River, Dartmoor. A glorious sunny day for a splendid walk on the moors. Plenty of people out on the moors today; car park at Postbridge was full.
(selection of photos from Flickr photo set – use link above to view album)
Included here below are some brief notes on other excursions Helen and I did during Helen’s Easter visit.
Helen and I planned to meet up with family (in-laws) on Dartmoor for a walk organised by her Aunt Julie. We were to meet at Postbridge car park, but my daughter Helen, driving me, found the car park full, on this glorious Spring Sunday. Obviously everyone was out out on the moor today. This was easily solved by finding a parking space in trees across the road.
We were walking to the waterfall on the East Dart River. This is a spot I’ve visited on a number of occasions, once with my own family. Julie led the way today, following a walk she’d previously done with a walking group of which she is a member. Not everyone in our group today was a ‘walker’, so we proceeded at a moderate pace comfortable for all. Me, the ‘old-man’ of the group, was faring reasonably well, all things considered.
We stopped for lunch at the site of the waterfall. We weren’t the only ones doing that. We dropped down the bank of the river and secured ourselves out of the slight breeze that was blowing. The water was a cobalt blue and looked icy. I wouldn’t have wanted to fall in, but risked all to get a panoramic photo of the family group.
After lunch, we climbed up the bank of the waterfall to find a place at which we could cross the river. It wasn’t difficult to find an easy crossing place. And from here, we set off on our return route, the other side of the East Dart to that we’d walked heading out.
On reaching Postbridge once again, we took a little time out to wander down to the old clapper bridge after which the place is named. I hesitate to call it a village, as it is so small. It was a good to be on Dartmoor today doing such an enjoyable walk and catching up with family.
Brief notes on Helen’s Easter visit: Photos taken on other trips Helen and I took during her visit this Easter can be viewed in the Flickr photo album: ‘374 Helen's England Visit – Easter’. Includes visits to:
Monday 10/04/2017: Coleton Fishacre (NT):
Photo Sub-set – Flickr – Photos from this day
Helen and I had picked up our rental car, hired for the week, at lunch time. We met up at the vehicle hire centre, Helen arrived by train from Exmouth after her morning spent teaching, me arriving on foot. We had the afternoon to ourselves, and as the sun was shining, we went for a drive (Helen doing the driving), down to Coleton Fishacre (NT). The place was looking marvellous, Helen describing the gardens as ‘paradise’.
Wednesday 12/04/2017: Powderham Castle:
Photo Sub-set – Flickr – Photos from this day
Helen joined her German students on this outing to Powderham Castle, and I went along too. Phil was our guide. Briefly saw the Earl of Devon, who helped organise our party on reaching the castle. Time was limited since we had to catch the last return ferry from Starcross to Exmouth.
Saturday 15/04/2017: Haytor & Hound Tor walk:
Photo Sub-set – Flickr – Photos from this day
This was very much a repeat of the same walk with the German students that Helen and I did last year. Once again, Inge was our walk guide. Inge knows this walk very well, and brought along notes that help explain the various things we were to see. This year we didn’t visit the medieval village at Hound Tor, but instead we went for a cream tea at Widecombe-in-the-Moor.
Sunday 16/04/2017: Postbridge and East Dart Waterfall walk with family (described above)
Photo Sub-set – Flickr – Photos from this day
Tuesday 18/04/2017: Cycle to Dawlish for a swim, ice cream, fish and chips, and a beer.
Photo Sub-set – Flickr – Photos from this day
In need of some fresh air and exercise, Helen and I cycled down to Dawlish for a swim in the leisure centre. We then cycled on into Dawlish town where we bought ice lollies in the local Co-Op and sat and watched the ducks, as you do in Dawlish. We then walked back along the coast to Dawlish Warren. Stopped in Starcross Spar and picked up beer, then fish-&-chips, and had supper in a nearby shelter. Cycled home as dusk came on.
Thursday 20/04/2017: Tintagel Castle (EH):
Photo Sub-set – Flickr – Photos from this day
A gorgeous warm and sunny day for this trip to Tintagel Castle, Helen driving once again (last day of our car hire). First visit for Helen, return visit for me. A most enjoyable day out. We even got to see a seal from the castle grounds.
Friday 21/04/2017: Return of hire car and brief shopping trip in Exeter, plus ice cream
Photo Sub-set – Flickr – Photos from this day
After dropping off the rental car at the hire centre, we strolled up to town for an ice cream and then did a little shopping. We then walked home. We wanted an early night, as we needed to be up just after midnight, to catch coaches to Heathrow for our trip to Germany (see following blog post).
Walk Statistics:
Total Distance: 8.5 km / 5.3 miles
Moving Time: 3hrs 32min
Stopped Time: 35min
Total Ascent: 212 metres
Maximum Elevation: 482 metres
Buses: (none)
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