Newbridge and Dr Blackall's Drive

Start Point; Newbridge
Distance 12 miles
Time 5 hrs 45 mins
Guiness enjoyment rating 9/10

On a gloriously sunny, with new camera in hand (or rather in carry case looped very securely around my neck) we were off to the moor again.  No exploring today, but mostly along tried and tested routes.  From Newbridge there is a climb before you enter the moor and onto Dr Blackall's Drive (This carriageway was laid down by the lord of Spitchwick Manor in the late 19th century). 

 

If you only ever walk once on Dartmoor give this one a go.  The views are wonderful.
.

After a couple miles the 'Drive' turns into the Two Moors way before I veered off toward Sharp Tor

And then onward and downward to lovely Dartmeet.  People often mistakenly think this is where the East and West Darts meet.  Oh no, hang on, just checked the map, yes that is right actually.

Heading north along the West Dart we come to the point that was giving Guiness sleepless nights - the stepping stones.  No set of pictures on this walk would be complete without Guiness refusing to cross the River.  It was fine, in the end I just carried on and he ran back to the car and waited for me.  

The return leg - another view of Sharp Tor

And just a few yards before the end at Spitchwick.  I think we went here as kids - it's a lovely family spot. 
 

Another long walk, but Guiness and I loved it.

Merrivale Firing Range

Start Point; Two Bridges
Distance 12 miles
Time 5 hrs 30 mins
Guiness enjoyment rating 8/10

No photos today.  I did take some but half way along the camera stopped working.  I'm no expert but I think it's because it fell in the river a few seconds earlier.  Oh well, an excuse to treat myself to a new one.  Will try the Picture card in another camera, they might live on after all.

This walk is almost entirely within the Merrivale Range Danger Area which you can only enjoy when there is no live firing by the Army.  You are strongly advised not to enter when there is live firing as you certainly won't enjoy it if they shoot you.  The first half of the walk is the most enjoyable, passed Wistmans Wood and up over Cocks Hill to the standing stone just shy of White Tor.

The return leg is very well defined on the map but poorly on the ground and was marshy and boggy in places, fueled by recent rains and various leats and streams.  It was getting a bit frustrating and I think it was when crossing one of the leats that the camera decided he'd had enough and made a run for it.

Guiness had a great time, chasing his ball on the first half  and keeping close by in the latter stages in the false belief that I knew where I was going.