After a very rest day (spent doing laundry, playing pool, eating and chatting to the other campers; just wish the farm shop & cafe next door didnt close on Mondays! of checked that when booking!) we set out at 7:00am sharp for our known biggie hikeWho am I kidding, we actually ended up setting off 8:30 but hey ho we got there!
Today was the day we crossed into Dartmoor! Less roads & farmers fields and more moorlands & wilderness ahead. And that was certainly true. As was the rumour that the TMW signage goes a bit sparse and map reading is needed (although technology and routes helped with that). Its also the section running past Castle Drogo, and I think may be my favourite bit, being just so stunning. We passed through Chagford today too, which felt like an actual little village where we found a yummy cafe (BirdBox), a shop to top up supplies and a pharmacy to grab some blister gel. And later, after a slight detour, we found Bennetts Cross and then Grimspound too; a full day!
jumper firmly on), hot mid day (switched to shorts&sunnies), then windy and drizzly late afternoon (switched back to leggings&coat!). In fact the wind we had that evening was strong & cold which made it interesting trying to pitch the tent & cook. It also meant we stopped just short f our planned camp spot, thinking Wind Tor must have its name for a reason.
Instead, we found a small spot between some prickly bushes just above its amazing how much warmth a thin sheet can give, but it was definitely warmer once tucked up inside, and especially appreciated as it rained on & off throughout the night. But we dozed off knowing we our biggest section of this walk (27.62K and 845m elevation) and, more importantly, we were actually enjoying it.
