Topsy's Dartmoor Rambles

[Nod]

Loving the dramatically lit Tors against the brooding skies.

 

[Topsy]

Loving the dramatically lit Tors against the brooding skies.

Thanks mate, I was just happy they were unloading somewhere else rather than on me.

 

[Nod]

We were hoping to get up there at some point before we're away but since that's Friday, it's looking a bit doubtful!

 

[Topsy]

Week 24.

I took a risk this week, the forecast was for shoewrs, some heavy, with sunny intervals but I decided to take my Leica M9s anyway as I fugured the showers would be scattered and I might miss them entirely. I did pack my Fujifilm X-100V though just in case. There was no firing on Willsworthy so I decided to get out to Sharp Tor which is just inside the danger area, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Sharp Tor.



I rather hoped that wouldn't hit me (Widgery Cross on Brat Tor).



A day of varied conditions (Doetor Farm Ruins).



More heavy cloud, the rain it contained hit but I'd just made it to the cover of the rocks on Doe Tor so not a drop landed on me (or my M9s).



At Wheal Frederick it was looking ominous again.



The River Lydd was so low I was able to get a shot from the stepping stones in the middle of Highdown Ford.




That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Barney]

Beautiful photo's as usual Paul.

Quite amazing that there are so many cloud patterns in a single outing and so many awesome farm ruins.

When I open these images in a new tab for another look and the distraction of the white border is gone the scenes just pop into life and the colours are fantastic.

Awesome !

 

[Topsy]

Beautiful photo's as usual Paul.

Quite amazing that there are so many cloud patterns in a single outing and so many awesome farm ruins.

When I open these images in a new tab for another look and the distraction of the white border is gone the scenes just pop into life and the colours are fantastic.

Awesome !

Thanks Wayne.

 

[Topsy]

Week 25.

Another risky outing with the Leica M9s this weekand another escape. I went over to Emsworthy Rocks for that Lone Tree then across to Haytor Quarry the rain arrived just as I was driving home, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

The Lone Tree.





Hound Tor & Greator Rocks.



Haytor Quarry.





Haytor Rocks.



Saddle Tor, rain on the way?



That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Knikki]

Lovely set of images, you really do capture the beauty of the landscape.

 

[Topsy]

Lovely set of images, you really do capture the beauty of the landscape.

Thanks Nick, much appreciated.

 

[billy nomates]

That lone tree has been done to death, I tried catching it with the milky way rising behind it and failed miserably... I'm blaming light pollution rather than admitting lack of ability.
But what you have done with that first image is stunning.

 

[Topsy]

That lone tree has been done to death, I tried catching it with the milky way rising behind it and failed miserably... I'm blaming light pollution rather than admitting lack of ability.
But what you have done with that first image is stunning.

Yep done absolutely to death but I like the walk and it's on the way plus it's the Law on Dartmoor "if you pass a lone tree and you have a camera you have to shoot it" Thanks for the nice comment, glad you like it.

 

[skullfunkerry]

Yep done absolutely to death but I like the walk and it's on the way plus it's the Law on Dartmoor "if you pass a lone tree and you have a camera you have to shoot it" Thanks for the nice comment, glad you like it.

I didn't realise that law only applied to Dartmoor! That's going to save me a lot of stress, thanks Paul

 

[Jannyfox]

Yep done absolutely to death but I like the walk and it's on the way plus it's the Law on Dartmoor "if you pass a lone tree and you have a camera you have to shoot it" Thanks for the nice comment, glad you like it.

Well I'm a rebel then. But to convict me you have to catch me, and to catch me you have to find me.........

 

[Topsy]

Well I'm a rebel then. But to convict me you have to catch me, and to catch me you have to find me.........

 

[billy nomates]

There are plenty of competitive Dartmoor based activities like Dartmoor step dancing and Dartmoor three ball I'm thinking it may be time to start Dartmoor TP lone tree photography hide and seek.
Your image reminds me of one of the nights I spent up there a few years ago, it was one of the most memorable nights on the moor for me, just after sunset there was the most wonderful sounds of Curlews gently warbling as they settled for the night

 

[nog]

Good set again Paul, especially the B&W shot for me. We come down Somerset / Devon way 2 or 3 times a year. We were in Somerset last week and we found ticks on the dogs most days, only on Exmoor one day. Have you noticed more this year than usual?

 

[Jannyfox]

We were in Somerset last week and we found ticks on the dogs most days, only on Exmoor one day. Have you noticed more this year than usual?

They're pretty bad this year. I normally very rarely pick up ticks even in Scotland, but a week or so ago 2 in one day on the east side of Exmoor. They're not confined to the hills and never have been - I have had one just walking round the lanes in the village

 

[Topsy]

Good set again Paul, especially the B&W shot for me. We come down Somerset / Devon way 2 or 3 times a year. We were in Somerset last week and we found ticks on the dogs most days, only on Exmoor one day. Have you noticed more this year than usual?

I've been lucky, not really seen any. When I go out I'm always in long sleeves and trousres (even yesterday) and I spray my socks, lower legs and trourser legs with Jungle Formula just as a precaution.

 

[Jannyfox]

I've been lucky, not really seen any. When I go out I'm always in long sleeves and trousres (even yesterday) and I spray my oscks, lower legs and trourser legs with Jungle Formula just as a precaution.

The ones I have picked up have been on my arms. And one on my neck that must have been on my rucksack. I try not to put my rucksack down in vegetation but it's often unavoidable

 

[Nod]

They're pretty bad this year. I normally very rarely pick up ticks even in Scotland, but a week or so ago 2 in one day on the east side of Exmoor. They're not confined to the hills and never have been - I have had one just walking round the lanes in the village

Keep a close eye on the sites, Jan, as I'm sure you are. Lyme disease is nasty and the NHS aren't (or, at least weren't) that good at picking up on it.

 

[Jannyfox]

Keep a close eye on the sites, Jan, as I'm sure you are. Lyme disease is nasty and the NHS aren't (or, at least weren't) that good at picking up on it.

Don't worry, I monitor them very closely. So far so good but you can never get complacent. The one I picked up in the lane was the only one I've needed the tick remover for. Funnily enough I'd been reminded by someone's post on here that I'd kept meaning to buy a tick remover, and never had, so I ordered one, and 2 days after it arrived I needed it.....................
Sorry, Paul, completely derailed your thread. I've barely been out of the house for a week except at night Too hot for me

 

[Topsy]

Don't worry, I monitor them very closely. So far so good but you can never get complacent. The one I picked up in the lane was the only one I've needed the tick remover for. Funnily enough I'd been reminded by someone's post on here that I'd kept meaning to buy a tick remover, and never had, so I ordered one, and 2 days after it arrived I needed it.....................
Sorry, Paul, completely derailed your thread. I've barely been out of the house for a week except at night Too hot for me

No worries Jan, I'll bring it back on track shortly.

 

[Topsy]

Week 26.

This week, tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far so of course I had to go out in all that heat. I started with good intentions along Devonport Leat in the River Meavy Valley along to Black Tor Falls but as midday came I found myself on top of the hills, (Hart, Black & Leeden Tors to be precise),as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Black Tor Falls.



Devonport Leat.



Ponies on the River Meavy.



From the top of Hart Tor.



Black Tor Stone Circle.



Black Tor.



Leeden Tor.



That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Topsy]

Week 27.

This week with showers forecast, some heavy, I decided to take my Fujifilm GFX 50S kit out to Down Tor Stone Row, hoping to avoid most of the showers. I went out via Snappers Tor and back via Hingston Hill Tor, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Down Tor Stone Row.



A small Tor known as Middleworth Tor which I call The BBQ Area since that's what it is used for so often.



Snappers Tor aka The Miniscule Sausage Area.



Hingston Hill Tor overlooking Sheeps Tor and Burrator Reservoir.



Looking back towards Combshead Tor.



Another view of Snappers Tor (I love the way this tree is growning out of the side of the Tor).



That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Barney]

Week 27.

This week with showers forecast, some heavy, I decided to take my Fujifilm GFX 50S kit out to Down Tor Stone Row, hoping to avoid most of the showers. I went out via Snappers Tor and back via Hingston Hill Tor, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Down Tor Stone Row.

View attachment 486683

A small Tor known as Middleworth Tor which I call The BBQ Area since that's what it is used for so often.

View attachment 486684

Snappers Tor aka The Miniscule Sausage Area.

View attachment 486685

Hingston Hill Tor overlooking Sheeps Tor and Burrator Reservoir.

View attachment 486686

Looking back towards Combshead Tor.

View attachment 486687

Another view of Snappers Tor (I love the way this tree is growning out of the side of the Tor).

View attachment 486688

That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

Some beauties there Paul, I could not think of a more beautiful location for a barbecue !

 

[Topsy]

Thanks Wayne and I agree I just wish they'd take their rubbish away with them, it's only about 300 yds from the nearest car park. Thankfully the new LrC is quick and easy for removing signs of litter/ditritus from the shot (I've no inclination to pick up some of what they leave behind even if I had the right kit, I feel for the Park Rangers who get the job).

 

[Brentor]

Lovely shots as usual. I always seem to struggle photographing Dartmoor.

 

[Topsy]

Lovely shots as usual. I always seem to struggle photographing Dartmoor.

Me too Steve, I only post the keepers.

 

[Jannyfox]

Some beauties there Paul, I could not think of a more beautiful location for a barbecue !

As with most similar areas bbqs and open fires are not permitted on Dartmoor. Unfortunately some people think common sense rules don't apply to them. There's a reason why peat was used as fuel in homes. May still be in some areas

 

[Barney]

As with most similar areas bbqs and open fires are not permitted on Dartmoor. Unfortunately some people think common sense rules don't apply to them. There's a reason why peat was used as fuel in homes. May still be in some areas

I am not advocating fires in restricted moorland areas.

I have cut peat from one of my friends plots in Ireland where it is still purchased annually, in some places, for winter fuel, personally I am not fond of the aroma and would not recommend it as a barbecue fuel under any circumstance, there is more smoke than cinder.

 

[Jannyfox]

I am not advocating fires in restricted moorland areas.

I know you're not. It wasn't intended as a dig at you or anyone else sensible. It just saddens me how many people (but still a minority) are willing to trash the countryside for what they want. I take a stove when I go walking. There's nothing quite like a mug of Dartmoor river tea with no-one else around. I won't use it if I'm not happy it's safe
Sorry Paul I've done it again. Love the b/w of the circle and row. I've always struggled to get a good image there - in fact I don't think I have any I'm really happy with. I'll try shooting with a b/w conversion in mind next time I'm there........

 

[Topsy]

I know you're not. It wasn't intended as a dig at you or anyone else sensible. It just saddens me how many people (but still a minority) are willing to trash the countryside for what they want. I take a stove when I go walking. There's nothing quite like a mug of Dartmoor river tea with no-one else around. I won't use it if I'm not happy it's safe
Sorry Paul I've done it again. Love the b/w of the circle and row. I've always struggled to get a good image there - in fact I don't think I have any I'm really happy with. I'll try shooting with a b/w conversion in mind next time I'm there........

No worries Jan, I'm pleased you and the others take the time to comment and really everything posted is relevant.

 

[Brentor]

Last year it annoyed me that some people completely ignored the keep your dog on a leash signs even when sheep where in site. Sign of the times.