Much as we need water to fill our reservoirs, it is such a relief to be able to get out again. The wind and rain can make walking less than a happy experience. It took effort today to get off the sofa and drive to a suitable spot to walk from. I checked the weather forecast and headed off for an area that showed less rain. So here is Meldon Reservoir.
There was rain and mist and wind but, almost the moment I started walking on the moorland, I felt so much better for having "got out". For me, it is necessary to walk on the moor for my Hill and Moorland Leader assessment in April, but for anyone else, there is a wealth of countryside to see even on the rainiest day.
There was rain and mist and wind but, almost the moment I started walking on the moorland, I felt so much better for having "got out". For me, it is necessary to walk on the moor for my Hill and Moorland Leader assessment in April, but for anyone else, there is a wealth of countryside to see even on the rainiest day.
This was a lovely varied walk. Starting with a climb away from the reservoir and finally strolling along the flatter area to the Tor. I met some other walkers who had walked the opposite way so we shared notes! They had a path to follow, I knew the path would be disappearing for me! So into the mist I went... what was waiting for me on the other side?
The walk down from the Tor was anything but smooth! Lots of rocks to negotiate but finally reaching the river which had no path alongside it, just a rather boggy area with lots of rocks to leap frog over or use as stepping stones! I managed to jump in a bog which went over my boots, so that made for wet walking the rest of the day!
But the sky brightened and the sun almost came through......for a moment!
Following the river down I had the choice of two foot bridges, thankfully not stepping stones as they are rather too precarious after all this rain! I chose the first one as that took me up to Sourton Tors rather than back towards Meldon.
But the sky brightened and the sun almost came through......for a moment!
Following the river down I had the choice of two foot bridges, thankfully not stepping stones as they are rather too precarious after all this rain! I chose the first one as that took me up to Sourton Tors rather than back towards Meldon.
Bit of a boggy plod up to the Tor. I met one man and his dog who commented on the fact that I may get wet feet - I confirmed that this was already the case! Off he went into the distance in the opposite direction. Hardly a soul out today which makes for lovely peaceful time to "just be". I found myself singing "the hills are alive......" - often a favourite when alone in the hills!! Good job there was nobody there to listen! At the Tor, I decided to go off piste to make for a more interesting walk....
Onwards towards the reservoir again, through some farmland - routes shown on the map - then back down to cross over another footbridge. A relaxing walk around the reservoir back to the car. A very pleasant day indeed.