 Looking back towards Dartmoor, and
Yes Tor, from near West Hook. It was a perfect day, and a thrill
to be walking again. The grass and fresh new leaves shimmered in
the sunshine, and the fields were golden with buttercups.
|
 I took the road through Abbeyford
Woods. The original plan had been to take the Tarka Trail round the
edge of the woods, but it was safer for the ankle to keep to the
road. It was quiet, but I was passed by one or two cars: this was
still tourist country. I also met two young girls on ponies led
by a man, perhaps their father. |
 Goldburn Cross at the edge of the wood. The May blossom everywhere was a delight, scenting the air. The sign pointed forwards, to Jacobstowe. The road between Goldburn Cross and Jacobstowe is part of the Tarka Trail, and it was as lovely a walk as any that I have taken. It was very peaceful, no traffic at all |
 There was a light breeze, the air was fresh, the hedgerows brimming with buttercups and cow parsley, and from a nearby wood I heard the call of the cuckoo. The road was dappled with shadows and sunlit patches. It led across the crest of a range of hills, with wide vistas backwards towards Dartmoor, and forwards - I think - towards Monkokehampton and Iddesleigh. I felt as if I could walk on for ever in a dream of happiness and peace. |
 Finally I reached Jacobstowe, a pretty village (unfortunately on the busy A3072.) It didn`t take long to pass through it. From Jacobstowe, I took another small road, yet again part of the Tarka Trail. |
 For the first and only time on my walk, I stopped to eat a roll (Mel had given it to me). I don`t really like stopping (or picnics come to that) but as it became hotter my ankle became more painful, so it was good to sit on a bank and rest it for a while. |
 This was a dragonfly that I spotted as I came near to Terris Bridge. By this time, my ankle was really aching, and the last mile or so was not so easy. |
 Yes Tor and Dartmoor, from Hatherleigh Common, a wonderful high and open expanse of grassland to the east of the little market town of Hatherleigh. It was very hot by the time I reached this point. At the top of the common there is a picnic bench. I sat on it, with my leg up, and phoned Sally Vick for directions to her bungalow. It wasn`t far. The phone rang again, it was my brother Andrew, ringing to tell me he had just moved house. I gave him an update on the walk so far, and he wished me luck. |