Topsy's Dartmoor Rambles

[Topsy]

Week 25.

This week I decided to go out to Legis and Gutter Tors and managed an impromptu aviation photoshoot into the bargain, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

On the way out I spotted this Lone Tree.



Brisworthy Stone Circle on the way to Legis Tor.



Legis Tor.



Ditsworthy Warren House.



Gutter Tor.



The Trig Point at Gutter Tor.



A low fly past from an RAF A400M Atlas.





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

 

[skullfunkerry]

Week 25.

This week I decided to go out to Legis and Gutter Tors and managed an impromptu aviation photoshoot into the bargain, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

On the way out I spotted this Lone Tree.

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Brisworthy Stone Circle on the way to Legis Tor.

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Legis Tor.

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Ditsworthy Warren House.

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Gutter Tor.

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The Trig Point at Gutter Tor.

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A low fly past from an RAF A400M Atlas.

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

I love the shot of the copse in the light in your blog post, Paul

 

[Topsy]

I love the shot of the copse in the light in your blog post, Paul

Thanks Kerry.

 

[Topsy]

Week 26.

This week I decided to take my Leica M9s out to Snappers Tor then over to Down Tor & the Stone Row before going on to Combshead Tor and Cuckoo Rock, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Snappers Tor.



Down Tor Stone Row.



Combshead Tor.



Cuckoo Rock.



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

 

[skullfunkerry]

Lovely shots Paul. I have two questions:

1. How far are your walks, usually? I get the impression that they're fairly long.

2. Miniscule sausage area?

 

[Topsy]

Lovely shots Paul. I have two questions:

1. How far are your walks, usually? I get the impression that they're fairly long.

2. Miniscule sausage area?

Thanks Kerry,

1. Anywhere from 1 1/2 miles to 11-12 miles but I sort of average between 3 & 5 miles.

2. I saw it on the t'internet it's a name the rock climbers have given to Snappers Tor.

 

[LeeRatters]

Great shots Paul

 

[Topsy]

Great shots Paul

Thanks Lee.

 

[Tavitonian]

Love the Down Tor shots in particular. I've never managed to get a good shot of that stone row but you've captured it perfectly.

 

[Topsy]

Love the Down Tor shots in particular. I've never managed to get a good shot of that stone row but you've captured it perfectly.

Thanks David.

 

[Darkroom_Processing]

Great shots
Nice to capture the aviation in too

 

[Topsy]

Great shots
Nice to capture the aviation in too

Thanks Dion, right place right time with the Atlas, just didn't have a long enough lens to get a clearer shot.

 

[Nod]

That A400 tends to be doing its bump and gos while I'm busy wasting time playing g*lf looking for small spheres. Sometimes see it when I'm at home but never manage to get a camera out in time to catch it! Not got the backdrop here that you caught, Paul!

 

[Topsy]

That A400 tends to be doing its bump and gos while I'm busy wasting time playing g*lf looking for small spheres. Sometimes see it when I'm at home but never manage to get a camera out in time to catch it! Not got the backdrop here that you caught, Paul!

As I said mate, right place right time, just didn't have a long enough lens to get a clearer shot.

 

[skullfunkerry]

As I said mate, right place right time, just didn't have a long enough lens to get a clearer shot.

I can't remember what it was, but last summer something interesting flew over my house while I was in the garden messing about with my camera. Sadly, the lens I had on that day was an 8mm fisheye

 

[Nod]

I can't remember what it was, but last dinner something interesting flew over my house while I was in the garden messing about with my camera. Sadly, the lens I had on that day was an 8mm fisheye

AKA Nod's law - the wrong lens will always be fitted when a fleeting opportunity offers itself!

 

[Topsy]

Week 27.

Another outing with the Leica M9s this week although I did take my Bronica kit to get a particular shot but that plan was foiled by a herd of cattle, still the exercise will have done me good (never took the Bronica out of the bag). As usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

My plan was to go over to Teignhead Farm and get a shot of the Clapper Bridge on film something like this (which is a hand held grab shot cropped).



The afore mentioned plan busting cattle which had occupied the Ford & Clapper Bridge and they had calves that they were protecting.



I did manage to get some hand held stuff but there was no way the cattle were letting me too close to the calves with a big tripod & camera.



On the way back I took in Kestor Rock Longstone.



I then went over to Middle Tor.



Finally ending up at Kestor Rock.



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

 

[Jannyfox]

That's one reason why I don't go to Dartmoor much in summer. Not an issue when I was based locally but a 150 mile round trip to be thwarted by cattle is a bit frustrating.

 

[Topsy]

That's one reason why I don't go to Dartmoor much in summer. Not an issue when I was based locally but a 150 mile round trip to be thwarted by cattle is a bit frustrating.

If they hadn't had calves they would have ignored me mostly. I get it though Batworthy Corner parking area is an hour's drive for me and Teignhead is a 2 1/2 mile walk from the parking area. To say I was disappointed is an understatement Jan.

 

[skullfunkerry]

Lovely shots again this week Paul, even though it wasn't quite what you were after.

For anyone else reading this thread, if you don't look at Paul's ephotozine blog you're missing out: the extra description and photos really add to each post

 

[Topsy]

Lovely shots again this week Paul, even though it wasn't quite what you were after.

For anyone else reading this thread, if you don't look at Paul's ephotozine blog you're missing out: the extra description and photos really add to each post

Thanks Kerry and for the shout ot to my Blog . it's true this thread is just a precis of my Blog which is where the real story is.

 

[Topsy]

Week 28.

This week I took my Bronica SQ-B out again to use that film I didn't get chance to use last week. I went over to Feather and Heckwood Tors to get some shots of Vixen Tor on film, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

A 6x4.5 Crop which is my favourite from the day.



The original 6x6 shot which I still think works but I do prefer the 6x4.5 crop.



Heckwood Tor.



Vixen Tor.




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

 

[Topsy]

Week 29.

This week it was the Fujifilm GFX 50S's turn to go out on to Dartmoor, I went up to Sharpitor and Leather Tor in some cloudy overcast light. The light was uneventful but I did see some Ponies, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.



Sharpitor.



Peek Hill Tor.



Leather Tor, Lower Leather Tor and Down Tor (in the distance).



Those Ponies again.



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

 

[Topsy]

Week 30.

This week's Dartmoor Photowalk took me around a loop that included Hollow Tor, Rundlestone Tor, North and Little Hessary Tors then on to Foggintor Quarry (looking for a shot for
Gav's @Gav. Nifty Fifty Challenge, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Foggintor Quarry.



Hollow Tor view across to Gt Mis Tor.



North Hessary Tor TV Mast.



The search for the challenge shot into the Quarry.



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

 

[JackBell]

That first image of the quarry is really nice, and the quarry itself looks a really interesting place to visit/shoot.

 

[Topsy]

That first image of the quarry is really nice, and the quarry itself looks a really interesting place to visit/shoot.

Thanks.

 

[nog]

Great shots again of Dartmoor, especially like the first shot of Fogginator and details/pictures on photo zine

 

[Topsy]

Great shots again of Dartmoor, especially like the first shot of Fogginator

Thanks Keith.

 

[Topsy]

Week 31.

This week we had a wet start to Tuesday so I thought it was time I went back to the River PLym woodland walk from Cadover Bridge to Shaugh Bridge then up Dewerstone Rocks to Dewerstone Hill and back over Wigford Down, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

The track along the bank of River Plym



Dewerstone Rocks.



Shaugh Wooden Bridge.



Shaugh Road Bridge.



Dewerstone Rocks Scramble.



Dewerstone Hill.



Oxen Tor on Wigford Down.



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

 

[Topsy]

Week 32.

This week is the first week of the August shutdown of Willsworthy Ranges so I decided to go on one of my favourite walks up Tavy Cleave to Hare Tor which is normally out of bounds due to it being inside the Range Danger Area. The forecast was for dry so I took my Leica M9s and Bronica SQ-B, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Bronica 40mm.





Leica M9, 21mm.



M9, 21mm.



M9 75mm.



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

 

[skullfunkerry]

Lovely shots (as ever) Paul. Something I wonder pretty much every week while I read your posts: do you have a map or guidebook to follow, or do you just know your way around the moors and the names of all the tors/features?

 

[Topsy]

Lovely shots (as ever) Paul. Something I wonder pretty much every week while I read your posts: do you have a map or guidebook to follow, or do you just know your way around the moors and the names of all the tors/features?

A bit of all really Kerry, I have lived inside the DNPA for most of my adult life and have walked the Moor extensively over those years. I use the 1:25,000 Landranger Map to plan my walks and for the details of the lesser known/unnamed the OS Map Tors I use this website, https://www.torsofdartmoor.co.uk/map.phpon.

I do have many books on Dartmoor but mostly for historical reference rather than guide books. I've been doing these Dartmoor Photowalks now for 4 years, the main challenge is to find something new to photograph on the walks, I try not to be repetetive but tbh there are only so many different walks one can do at 1 per week and I do have some favourites that I try to get to at least once a year, the last 2 being classics.

After all these years (228 walks) I'd say I know my way around the Moors pretty well and know around 2/3rds of the almost 400 Tors, however, I do always take a GPS and Map for just in case.

 

[Topsy]

Week 33.

This week the forecast was for clear blue skies which is not the best for landscape photography but as I have said often I work with what I am given so I decided to go out to Devil's Tor and Beardown Man via Beardonw and Lydford Tors with my Leica M9s,as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Beardown North Tor with Lydford Tor in the distance.



Beardown Man & Devil's Tor.



Lydford Tor (on the way back).



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

 

[Barney]

@Topsy

Gorgeous tranquil images.

 

[Topsy]

@Topsy

Gorgeous tranquil images.

Thanks Wayne.

 

[Topsy]

Week 34.

This week with a dry forecast I went back out to South Hessary, Cramber & Hart Tors with my M9s and an idea for a side project, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

South Hessary Tor.



Cramber Tor.



Hart Tor.



That side project, more detail in my Blog but for those that have one look at your Crossing's Guide to Dartmoor (1990 reprint) P98.



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

 

[Topsy]

Week 35.

This week I took my Bronica SQ-B out to Sharp Tor (then didn't use it) and took in Doe Tor & Brat Tor, as usual you can see the full story and photos here https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

Sharp Toe with Hare Tor in the distance during one of the brighter moments.



Highdown Ford very low.



Doe Tor with Brat Tor in the distance.



Wheal Frederick (aka Foxholes Tin Mine ruins) with Sharp & Hare Tors in the distance.



Widgery Cross on Brat Tor.



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

 

[skullfunkerry]

Lovely set this week Paul

 

[Topsy]

Lovely set this week Paul

Thanks Kerry.

 

[JackBell]

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