Topsy's Dartmoor Rambles

[Topsy]

Love the sky in the first, very dramatic, and you have placed the Tor perfectly.

Thanks Jack.

 

[Topsy]

Week 36.

This week with some unsettled weather I decided to take my Fujifilm GFX 50Ss up to Sheeps Tor via Middleworth Plantation to get some panoramas using the in camera 65x24 aspect ratio, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Burrator Reservoir from Sheeps Tor.



I spent a while sheltering from rain.



One from Middleworth Plantation after some of the rain.



Leather Tor from the edge of Sheeps Tor, I didn't just shoot panoramas.



More time sheltering from rain.



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

 

[Barney]

Your pictures seem to have got more powerful over the last four or five weeks, IMO the big foregrounds are helping a lot, though I am one for a wide open vista also.

Of course I might just be seeing different. whatever it is, I enjoy them.

 

[Topsy]

You pictures seem to have got more powerful over the last four or five weeks, IMO the big foregrounds are helping a lot, though I am one for a wide open vista also.

Of course I might just be seeing different. whatever it is, I enjoy them.

Thanks Wayne.

 

[Topsy]

Week 37.

This week the forecast was awful all week but there were some gaps on Monday so I packed my Fuji X-T2s and headed for those gaps, surrounded by stormy weather, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

My plan was to visit Hartor Tors via Eylesbarrow "Cobra's Head" then go back via Drizzlecombe and Ditsworthy Warren House, I was surrounded by Storms but amazingly didn't get rained on.

Lower Hartor Tor.



Storms over Princetown.



The "Cobra's Head" on Eylesbarrow Tor.



Drizzlecombe Menhir.



More stormy weather.





Ditsworthy Waqrren House.



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

 

[Jannyfox]

I had been thinking of a trip down on Monday but decided better of it. It's no fun out on the open moor in a thunderstorm. The storm lines that came over Tavi and the north moor came over here a couple of hours later. You know of course that Excalibur on Eylesbarrow is a replica and the plinth it's in was made for it. It still astounds me that the original was broken off by dragging the boulder it was embedded in out of the ground but I saw it. I have the photos

 

[Topsy]

I had been thinking of a trip down on Monday but decided better of it. It's no fun out on the open moor in a thunderstorm. The storm lines that came over Tavi and the north moor came over here a couple of hours later. You know of course that Excalibur on Eylesbarrow is a replica and the plinth it's in was made for it. It still astounds me that the original was broken off by dragging the boulder it was embedded in out of the ground but I saw it. I have the photos

Thanks Jan, yes I did know that it is a replacement, that was why I linked the Legendry Dartmoor website oin my Blog (easier than me writing all about it), in face I think it was you who told me it was a replacement when I last Blogged about it a couple of years ago (thanks).

I'm always happy to be nudged in the right direction, I don't claim to be an expert and tbh I've only been exploring like this for 4 years so every walk is a learning event.

 

[Jannyfox]

Thanks Jan, yes I did know that it is a replacement, that was why I linked the Legendry Dartmoor website oin my Blog (easier than me writing all about it), in face I think it was you who told me it was a replacement when I last Blogged about it a couple of years ago (thanks).

I'm always happy to be nudged in the right direction, I don't claim to be an expert and tbh I've only been exploring like this for 4 years so every walk is a learning event.

Oops yes I think you're right. I didn't see the LD link as I was looking on my phone
I first walked Dartmoor alone when I was 17. I'm a lot more than that now I learn something every time I go there, even if it's 'don't bother planning a route coz you know you'll only throw it away a mile in and just go wandering off completely at random because something over there looks interesting'

 

[Nod]

I love this time of year on the Moor for its dramatic skies. Less so for the rainy rides it tends to give us!

 

[Topsy]

I love this time of year on the Moor for its dramatic skies. Less so for the rainy rides it tends to give us!

Today's rideout was cancelled, rain stopped play.

 

[Nod]

Don't need to go out today so I won't! Hoping for a clear day or 2 next week so we can get back out after a month off.

 

[Topsy]

Week 38.

This week was meant to be a dry day so I took my Bronica and my Leica M9s out to Gt Links and Arms Tors. Neither of these camera systems are really suitable for rainy weather as they are old and difficult to repair/replace if they get water damaged but unfortunately the forecast was wrong and it rained. I did however manage to keep my cameeras dry so no damage thankfully, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

The rain arrived within 10 minutes of leaving the Car Park.



Gt Links Tor.



More rain on the way as I was heading between Gt Links and Arms Tors.



Arms Tor with Sharp & Hare Tors in the distance.



More rain on the way back to the Car Park.



A couple of shots from the Bronica with Kodak Portra 160.





I cropped this one to 6x4.5 as a square composition didn't work.



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

 

[Nod]

Typical Dartmoor weather!

On Friday, I was bemoaning forgetting my hat while in Bovey Tracey then berating myself for not wearing more water resistant kit 3 miles up the road at Hay Tor...

Does make for dramatic skies though.

 

[Topsy]

Does make for dramatic skies though.

Indeed it does mate but I don't like to have those older non weather resistant cameras out in it tbh that's what I keep my Fuji X-T2s for but the forecast fooled me this time. Fortunately I did manage to keep all cameras and lenses dry and still got some shots I'm happy with.

 

[Jannyfox]

It looks a lot better for next week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it holds as I limped off the Quantocks the other day with a tweaked foot when I was planning to be on Dartmoor tomorrow or Tuesday These things happen.... Maybe Friday

 

[Topsy]

It looks a lot better for next week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it holds as I limped off the Quantocks the other day with a tweaked foot when I was planning to be on Dartmoor tomorrow or Tuesday These things happen.... Maybe Friday

My usual walk day is Tuesday and it looks lots better this week.

 

[skullfunkerry]

Really love that third shot Paul, looking across to the rain that's about to hit you

 

[Topsy]

Really love that third shot Paul, looking across to the rain that's about to hit you

Thanks Kerry, and boy did it hit me.

 

[David_Mug]

Always love your rambles. Great photographs much appreciated.

 

[Barney]

There is something primordial about looking at rain sheeting down while its not raining where you are stood, picture one is a great capture of that feeling.

 

[Topsy]

Always love your rambles. Great photographs much appreciated.

Thanks David.

 

[Topsy]

There is something primordial about looking at rain sheeting down while its not raining where you are stood, picture one is a great capture of that feeling.

Thanks Wayne.

 

[Topsy]

Week 39.

A day of clear blue skies was the forecast but I could only go on the Tuesday so as usual I just took what I got. I headed over to Fox Tor via Nun's Cross Farm with my Lieca M9s, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

First stop, Nun's Cross.



And the Farm.



Main objective, Fox Tor.



I went back via the Boundary Wall along the side of Fox Tor Mires.



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

 

[skullfunkerry]

Lovely set, Paul. I agree the b&w works well for the shot of the farm. I know the sky wasn’t the best, but those photos really captured Dartmoor for me; I could almost hear and smell them, I found them very evocative. Definitely brought back childhood memories!

 

[Topsy]

Lovely set, Paul. I agree the b&w works well for the shot of the farm. I know the sky wasn’t the best, but those photos really captured Dartmoor for me; I could almost hear and smell them, I found them very evocative. Definitely brought back childhood memories!

Thanks Kerry, tbh the conditions although not the best for photography were really nice for the walking and I have to keep in mind this is a Blog about my walks on Dartmoor that I document with photos so I just have to take what I am given on the day light and conditions wise.

 

[JackBell]

I think I've seen that farmhouse before in a vlog by a you tuber. Looks great.

 

[Topsy]

I think I've seen that farmhouse before in a vlog by a you tuber. Looks great.

It's a popular location for YouTubers as it is an easy walk from the parking area. People "wild camp" in the area but they tend to bring more than what can be carried in a back pack.

 

[Jannyfox]

Would you like to borrow my camera? It's the founder member of the Society for Cloud Magnets

 

[Topsy]

Week 40.

Had some nice clouds this week, I took my Bronica and Leica M9s out to Gt Staple, Roos & Cox Tors. I won't have the film shots back for a while as I only used 1/2 the roll (intentionally on 2 specific locations) but I did replicate the shots with my Leica D-Lux 7, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Gt Staple, M9.



The contrast range on this was far too much for the ageing M9 sensor to record a decent colour shot but it worked in B&W.



These are the 2 locations I shot on film, these particular shots were with the D-Lux, same compositions.





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

 

[Topsy]

Week 41.

This week I took the Bronica out to Lower White Tor to finish theat film from last week, I went via Littaford, Longaford & Higher White Tors, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Higher White from Longaford.



Towards Littaford Tors.



West Dart Valley.



Lower White Tor on Portra 160 (Bronica).



Two from last week with the Bronica, Gt Staple Tor.



Cox Tor.



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

 

[Barney]

Nice shots as usual Paul.

 

[Topsy]

Nice shots as usual Paul.

Thanks Wayne.

 

[Topsy]

Week 42.

This week was supposed to be dry and bright so I planned to take my Leica M9s out to Bellever & Laughter Tors but when I got there it was clagged in with low cloud and mizzle so I drove northwest looking for dry and bright and found some by Peter Tavy so I went from there out to Smeardon Down, Boulters and Set Tors. It wasn't however all dry and bright, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Smeardon Down Tor



Sunshine and low cloud just outside of Peter Tavy.



Boulters Tor in sunshine.



Boulters Tor in low cloud & mizzle.



Looking towards Hare Tor and some incoming weather.



Set Tor.



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

 

[Topsy]

Week 43.

This week as the forecast was for showers I decided to take my Fujifilm GFX 50Ss out to Foggintor and Swelltor Quarries taking in Kings Tor en-route, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Kings Tor overlooking Vixen Tor.



Foggintor Quarry.



Foggintor Ruin.



Lone Tree on Kings Tor.



Swelltor Quarry Ruin.



Crip Tor Quarry (Sailor's Home), off the main Swelltor Quarry.



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

 

[Topsy]

Week 44.

This week I took my Bronica and Leica M9s out to Scarey and Belstone Tors to get some shots for a long term project I am working on. I didn't finish the film but I did replicate the shots with my Leica D-Lux 7, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Belstone Tors & Cullever Steps (D-Lux 7).



Cullever Steps (M9).



Scarey Tor (D-Lux 7).





The Logan Stone on Belstone Tor beside The Irishman's Wall.



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

 

[Barney]

Lovely shots as usual Paul.
Super lead ins IMO.
The wide swinging arc in the third I find very captivating!

 

[Topsy]

Lovely shots as usual Paul.
Super lead ins IMO.
The wide swinging arc in the third I find very captivating!

Thanks Wayne.

 

[Topsy]

Week 45.

This week I had a plan based on the weather forecast but it lied so I made a hasty plan B. I finished up going to Leather Tor Bridge & Farm then up to Snappers Tor. I took my Fujifilm GFX 50Ss so panoramas were on the menu, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Having parked at Norsworthy Bridge I grabbed this safety shot before setting off.



Leather Tor Bridge.



Leather Tor Farm entrance.



A Lone Tree (you know the law).



Panorama across to Leather Tor from Middleworth Tor.



Snappers Tor.



Leather Tor from Snappers Tor.



Snappers Tor from Middleworth Tor.



Two Trees.



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

 

[skullfunkerry]

Week 45.

This week I had a plan based on the weather forecast but it lied so I made a hasty plan B. I finished up going to Leather Tor Bridge & Farm then up to Snappers Tor. I took my Fujifilm GFX 50Ss so panoramas were on the menu, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Having parked at Norsworthy Bridge I grabbed this safety shot before setting off.

View attachment 467459

Leather Tor Bridge.

View attachment 467450

Leather Tor Farm entrance.

View attachment 467451

A Lone Tree (you know the law).

View attachment 467452

Panorama across to Leather Tor from Middleworth Tor.

View attachment 467453

Snappers Tor.

View attachment 467455

Leather Tor from Snappers Tor.

View attachment 467456

Snappers Tor from Middleworth Tor.

View attachment 467457

Two Trees.

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

Lovely as ever Paul. Some cracking examples there of that particular shade of green which I only ever associate with Dartmoor grass

 

[Barney]

The processing brings out the autumn colours wonderfully.

I am getting to know that area well and I have never even been there, thanks for sharing!