Topsy's Dartmoor Rambles

[MickG]

Many thanks for these posts. Some years ago I worked for the MOD at Okehampton training camp and you have stirred up a few good memories. Before I worked there I never appreciated how beautiful moors could be and how unpredictable the weather could be!

 

[Topsy]

Many thanks for these posts. Some years ago I worked for the MOD at Okehampton training camp and you have stirred up a few good memories. Before I worked there I never appreciated how beautiful moors could be and how unpredictable the weather could be!

Thanks Mick.

 

[Topsy]

Week 51.

This week I decided to go out to Doe Tor Farm then up Doe Tor and on to Foxhole Tin Mine (Wheal Frederick) ruins and return via Black Rock Falls, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Brat and Doe Tors in low cloud.



Doe Tor Farm ruins.



Doe Tor and some Ponies.



Foxhole Tin Mine ruins.





Black Rock Falls.



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

 

[Topsy]

Week 52.

Short on daylight and rain forecast for the afternoon, this week I decided to stay close and make a short Photowalk up to Leeden Tor to shoot some panoramas with my Fujifilm GFX 50Ss in that 65x24 aspect ratio that the GFX system has, the pity was the light was very dull and flat. As usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

The only one with nice light (it only lasted about 5 minutes).











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

 

[Topsy]

2025 Week 1.

Technically this walk was still in 2024 because I walked on 31st Dec but it was in week 1 of 2025 and I had already done 52 weeks in 2024. Yes I could have waited until 1st Jan but by then I would have been rained off so I decided to go out on my normal Tuesday. I had intended to go up to Gt Mis Tor then back via Church Rock and Over Tor but the cloudbase had other ideas, no nice light this time either. As usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Leaving 4 Winds CP and looking back towards Kings Tor.



First view of my intended destination.



PLan B was to go to Over Tor which was under the cloudbase.



Having waited it out on Over Tor I went up to Little Mis Tor.



Gt Mis was in cloud so I decided to head back to the Car Park, Kings Tor etc had low cloud over them too.



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

 

[Topsy]

Week 2.

With some light snow on the Moor this week I decided to take my Bronica SQ-B up to Scarey Tor loaded with Kodak Ektar 100 along with my usual Fujifilm X-T2s, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Belstone Tors (X-T2).



Ektar shots.

Scarey Tor.



Cullever Steps.



View down Black-a-Ven Brook to Belstone Tors.



Row Tor, West Mill and Yes Tors.



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

 

[Topsy]

Week 3.

This week was one of those rare occasions when there was no firing on Willsworthy Ranges so I decided to take my Fujifilm GFX 50Ss to Ger Tor to photograph Tavy Cleave, however, the forecast sunshine and light cloud didn't initially co-operate, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Ger Tor & Tavy Cleave when the sunshine and light cloud finally arrived.



From the Car Park at the start.



And when I got back to it.



On Ger Tor in the low cloud.



Nattor Farm on the way back to the Car Park.



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

 

[Topsy]

Week 4.

This week I decided to take my Leica M9s and Bronica SQ-B to the old Gunpowder Factory Ruins known as Powder Mills, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.









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

 

[Topsy]

Week 5.

Another typical English Winter week this week, rain and wind every day with very few let ups. There was a small lull on Tuesday though I decided to make the most of it by staying close to home again and doing a short walk up to Sheeps Tor, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

This is Narrow Tor which is part of the top of Sheeps Tor.



I parked just off the road at Burrator Reservoir, followed the Bridleway out to Maiden Tor then up to Sheeps Tor main. On the way home I stoppped at Burrator Dam and got a shot of the overflow.



Leather Tor & Sharpitor from Maiden Tor.







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

 

[Topsy]

Week 6.

This week, more mixed messages from the weather forecasters made me look for a PLan B on the morning of my walk, I ended up taking my Leica M9s out to Boulters Tor and along to The Langstone amid changing weather, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

I had originally planned to go out to Sharp Tor in Willsworthy Ranges as there was no firing but the forecast put me off, when I looked across from Smeardon Down Tors I wondered if I could have gone there anyway.



Anyway I had made my choice so got on with it.

Smeardon Down Tors.



Boulters Tor.



Some of that changeable weather.



It had brightened up by the time I reached Stephen's Grave.



And on to The Langstone.



Boulters Tor & Brent Tor were getting some nice light on the way back too.



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

 

[Nod]

If only the Moor would read and obey the forecasts...

Good set showing the dramatic skies that often appear.

What's the stack of crates/shelves/whatever atop Boulter's Tor?

 

[Topsy]

If only the Moor would read and obey the forecasts...

Good set showing the dramatic skies that often appear.

What's the stack of crates/shelves/whatever atop Boulter's Tor?

It's just some old ironmongery that seems to have been put there to bolster the fence that runs over the Tor I think.

 

[Topsy]

Week 7.

We had a busy week this week and I wasn't able to get out on my normal Tuesday, I did however have some spare time on Wednesday for a short walk so I took mt Leica M9s up Sourton Tors for a couple of hours.



On the way up I could see there was snow on Yes Tor.



I weny by the old "Ice Factory" on the North slopes of Sourton Tors.



From the top of the Tor there is a good view of the village of Sourton.



On the way back to the car I spotted this Lone Tree and you know the rules.



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

 

[Blue439]

Very interesting series of photos and comments, well done! There is so much to see in Dartmoor, I wish I’d have the opportunity to go back and spend some time. Reminds me of my own moors in central Brittany.

 

[skullfunkerry]

For some reason I stopped getting notifications about this thread Paul... I've just caught up on the posts I've missed, so apologies for another batch of "Kerry liked your post" notifications

Some lovely shots over the last few weeks. That shot of the overflow at Burrator reservoir brought back memories for me, of a school trip!

 

[Topsy]

For some reason I stopped getting notifications about this thread Paul... I've just caught up on the posts I've missed, so apologies for another batch of "Kerry liked your post" notifications

Some lovely shots over the last few weeks. That shot of the overflow at Burrator reservoir brought back memories for me, of a school trip!

No worries Kerry, good to have you back.

 

[Topsy]

Week 8.

Another walk with my Leica M9s, this time around Emsworthy Rocks and Haytor Quarry, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Lone Tree on Emsworthy Rocks.



Saddle Tor.



Fitches Holt.



Another Lone Tree.



Dartmoor Ponies.



Old lifting gear inside Haytor Quarry.



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

 

[skullfunkerry]

Week 8.

Another walk with my Leica M9s, this time around Emsworthy Rocks and Haytor Quarry, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Lone Tree on Emsworthy Rocks.

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Saddle Tor.

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Fitches Holt.

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Another Lone Tree.

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Dartmoor Ponies.

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Old lifting gear inside Haytor Quarry.

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

Some lovely shots in there Paul. I like the colour & mono versions of that opening shot in different ways. The colour version brought to mind when I was a kid living in Princetown; it does feel to me like Dartmoor grass has a specific sort of hue to it which I don't often see elsewhere - you've really captured it in that shot.

 

[Topsy]

Some lovely shots in there Paul. I like the colour & mono versions of that opening shot in different ways. The colour version brought to mind when I was a kid living in Princetown; it does feel to me like Dartmoor grass has a specific sort of hue to it which I don't often see elsewhere - you've really captured it in that shot.

Thanks Kerry. I agree Dartmoor grass does seem to have it's own shade of green which I think the CCD sensor of the old M9 captures nicely.

 

[Topsy]

Week 9.

Another dry and bright day this week so I took my Leica M9s out to Great Mis Tor and Arms Tor, visiting the disused Tin Mines on Doetor Brook and Brat Tor on the way back, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Great Links Tor.





Arms Tor.



Wheal Frederick, the site of the old disused Tin Mines on Doetor Brook.



Widgery Cross on Brat Tor.



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

 

[Topsy]

Week 10.

Another "nice" day of sunshine and blue skies, I took my Leica M9s out to Longaford Tor via Crockern and Littaford Tors returning via Wiasman's Wood, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Littaford Tor.



Bridleway to Wistman's Wood.



"The Judge's Chair" on Crockern Tor.



Littaford & Longaford Tors.



"The Buller Stone" on the edge of Wistman's Wood.



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

 

[skullfunkerry]

Lovely shots Paul. I know what you mean about the featureless sky, but I love that deep blue contrasting with the rocks and grass.

I wonder if Lita Ford knows she has a tor named after her?

 

[Topsy]

Lovely shots Paul. I know what you mean about the featureless sky, but I love that deep blue contrasting with the rocks and grass.

I wonder if Lita Ford knows she has a tor named after her?

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Thanks Kerry.

 

[Jannyfox]

Nice. I was out over Honeybag and Hameldon on Tuesday and they're trying to pack in a lot of swaling before the end of the season. I counted 7 fires to the south including the one between Haytor and Holwell. It made for some interesting light at times. Then there was the pair of Wildcats that hammered over low level then pranced about sounded like near Bonehill Rocks. I couldn't get up the hill in time to see. They moved off then came back the other way when I was sitting in the back of the Land Rover changing my boots

 

[Barney]

Week 4.

This week I decided to take my Leica M9s and Bronica SQ-B to the old Gunpowder Factory Ruins known as Powder Mills, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

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

Love the perspective on the second shot, works really well bound in by the woods.

 

[Topsy]

Nice. I was out over Honeybag and Hameldon on Tuesday and they're trying to pack in a lot of swaling before the end of the season. I counted 7 fires to the south including the one between Haytor and Holwell. It made for some interesting light at times. Then there was the pair of Wildcats that hammered over low level then pranced about sounded like near Bonehill Rocks. I couldn't get up the hill in time to see. They moved off then came back the other way when I was sitting in the back of the Land Rover changing my boots

Thanks Jan, to be fair the conditions were perfect for it on Tuesday so I wasn't surprised. I think I saw about 5 or 6 plumes around too.

 

[Topsy]

Love the perspective on the second shot, works really well bound in by the woods.

Thanks Wayne, a bonus on that one is Longaford Tor in the far distance, I shuffled around a fair bit to line it all up.

 

[Nod]

Tried to get up and over a bit of the Moor last week but hit a snag with a road closure on the "Norty Morty" road and the diversion sent us down the Teign Valley instead. Been a few years since I drove all the way down that road and I'd forgotten how pretty it is!

Stopped off at Mr Jolly's to waste a few minutes before lunch at Ullacombe Farm and he's had a reshuffle. As a sidenote that Paul might find interesting, the twin engine (as in 2 engines, not the fact that both are twins...) Triton is apparently up and running - on all 4 cylinders. I know that there are a few "twin" enginned bikes like that that have empty front cases and no real connection between the motors...

 

[Topsy]

Week 11.

This week with another dry day I decided to take my Leica M9s out again this time on a curcuit from Princetown to South Hessary Tor across to Cramber Tor then over to Hart Tor and back to Princetown. I was surprised how well trodden that route is, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.



South Heaasry Tor.



Cramber Tor.



On the way from Cramber to Hart Tor beside Hart Tor Brook is this huge rock known as The Giant's Marble.



Hart Tor.



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

 

[Jannyfox]

Nice walk round there. It's not surprising it's well tramped as it feels remote but really isn't. For info if I read correctly you said the spike on Eylesbarrow (Excaliber) is original. It isn't. Many years ago the rock it was in split, leaving the spike on the ground. It was replaced in another rock until 2014 when someone stole it by dragging the rock out of the ground and snapping it off. I have photos taken not long after. Who does that? It must have taken a quad bike at the very least. The one now in the fancy plinth is new (well, 10 years old now but new to me)

 

[Topsy]

Nice walk round there. It's not surprising it's well tramped as it feels remote but really isn't. For info if I read correctly you said the spike on Eylesbarrow (Excaliber) is original. It isn't. Many years ago the rock it was in split, leaving the spike on the ground. It was replaced in another rock until 2014 when someone stole it by dragging the rock out of the ground and snapping it off. I have photos taken not long after. Who does that? It must have taken a quad bike at the very least. The one now in the fancy plinth is new (well, 10 years old now but new to me)

Thanks Jan, that'll teach me to believe what I read on tInternet. I ought to read in more detail, I'll correct my blog post accordingly.

 

[Jannyfox]

Thanks Jan, that'll teach me to believe what I read on tInternet. I ought to read in more detail, I'll correct my blog post accordingly.

I had a quick scan read of the Legendary Dartmoor post and it wasn't clear that Excalibur had completely gone. I know because I saw it. I still remember that overwhelming feeling of why? Just why?

 

[Topsy]

Week 12.

This week I decided to take my Fujifilm GFX 50Ss up to Gt Staple Tor via Little and Middle Staple Tors then on to Roos Tor before returning via the reverse route, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Gt Staple Tor from Middle Staple Tor.



Gt Staple Tor.



Roos Tor.



Roos Tor Logan Stone.



Vixen Tor from the Car Park.



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

 

[briansy]

This is a beautiful thread. The open and desolate feeling Dartmoor landscape is epic!

 

[Jannyfox]

I was out on Thursday. The forecast for home was up to 18 deg - far too hot. Princetown - up to 13 deg and a 17 kt easterly - that'll do. I was nearly last seen overhead Bodmin at 1200 ft as the wind tried to blow me off the top of Sheeps Tor. Not many photos from there !

 

[Topsy]

This is a beautiful thread. The open and desolate feeling Dartmoor landscape is epic!

Thanks Brian.

 

[skullfunkerry]

Lovely stuff Paul. As Brian has said, I really feel like your pictures capture how Dartmoor actually feels

 

[Topsy]

Lovely stuff Paul. As Brian has said, I really feel like your pictures capture how Dartmoor actually feels

Thanks Kerry.

 

[Topsy]

Week 13.

This week I decided to take my Leica M9s ot to Kings Tor via Hollow Tor then Foggintoe & Swelltor Quarries, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Hollow Tor.



Foggintor Quarry main ruin.



Some of the rest of the ruins.



Kings Tor.



Foggintor Quarry on the way back.



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

 

[skullfunkerry]

Week 13.

This week I decided to take my Leica M9s ot to Kings Tor via Hollow Tor then Foggintoe & Swelltor Quarries, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Hollow Tor.

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Foggintor Quarry main ruin.

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Some of the rest of the ruins.

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Kings Tor.

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Foggintor Quarry on the way back.

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

Lovely shots, Paul. As someone has said on the blog, the light was fantastic this week