Sunday 17th September Dartmoor

This turned out to be one of our favourite days of the whole holiday. It started out foggy, rained then cleared to a fine sunny sady. This is the sort of weather the downs are famous for and the fog can be dangerous as it comes in fast and heavy. I decided to drive and save myself the terror of the passenger seat and the closeness of thse heges, stonewalls, cottages and barns that edge the road.

Spinster's Rock


We saw Spinster Rock-an ancient burial site in a farmer's field, then drove on to Grimspound-the remains of an ancient village that has been dated to 3000BC. It sits on top a hill and the remains of the roads, drains, little clapper bridges, wall and 26 houses are very easy to see-it wasn't as easy to find mind you as it has no signs to it.
Grimspound

We saw more ponies (the Dartmoor breed is not as pure as the Exmoor's are) and farmers lease the moors to graze sheep and cattle so it wasn't unusual to see long tailed, black faced sheep laying all over the roads as we drove along. Often as we drove we saw the remains of ancient stone walls and buildings, standing stones and circles and ancient stone crosses that no one can explain.
One of Those Stone Crosses


After a lateish lunch, we drove to Plymuth, then on to Bigbury-on-sea (a popular holiday spot). We crossed a tidal road in our hire car/4WD then drove to Torcross and along a beautiful coastal road to Dartmouth before heading home

We got back to the pub about 7.45, had dinner then found another Aussie couple were staying. The landlord said he only gets about 4 0r 5 couples a year and had never had 2 at once!