You always see something new.

The same walk as I reconnoitred on the Monday of this week (see here for post) but this time with the U3A group members. There are advantages and disadvantages of walking with a group but there are absolutely no disadvantages in going over the same ground. There's always something new to see and enjoy. Sometimes it's down to the season (less growth means that you peer into woods): sometimes it's down to the time of day and the angle of the sun; sometimes it's down to the weather and sometimes it's just down to the way you are feeling, On this occasion, it was a mixture of all of them. And this route will bear repeating again, possibly when the bluebells are out in late April.

Sheep, with some fancy ear piercing.

There's still a little snow on the tors.

A frosty scene with a hazy sun.

I'd never noticed this plaque before and find the contrast of its former uses intriguing. School and Chapel of Ease? Children and corpses? All became clearer when I read that a Chapel of Ease was a place of worship where it was difficult to get to a church. That makes more sense and I'd guess that the 'school' element was more likely to have been a Sunday School than anything else.

As I said previously, less growth means better views into woods. Here's another thing I've never noticed before - a water wheel pit next to Hill Bridge. My estimate would put the wheel at around 40 foot in diameter and, having rooted around the area and seen no signs of leats or launders, I'd say it was under-shot (water coming onto the wheel at the bottom) with a feed coming directly from the river. What did it drive? There were no remains of any associated buildings or machinery and nothing coming to light on an internet search. A mystery.

The River Tavy looks pretty calm here but, apparently, it's one of the fastest flowing rivers in the UK. Hardly surprising, I suppose, if the drop off the moors is considered. Oh yes, if you look at the Wild Swimming website, this particular spot is recommended for skinny dipping. Only for brave exhibitionists!

Lunch by the Hill Bridge Weir.

A grave we passed and one which aroused my curiosity. It's in the style of a war grave and commemorates someone in the Merchant Navy. I haven't come across many of those, neither have I come across many men who have been awarded the DSC - Distinguished Service Cross. In a very short space of time when I got back home I discovered that this was the grave of Alfred William Edwards, born in Plymouth and who died locally when on leave. He became Master (Captain) of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship, Ennerdale (a tanker and floating gantry) in 1943 and won his award for bravery during the Allied Landings in Sicily. In his will, he left all his estate of £1185 8s 5d (around £100,000 at today's value) to his widow Doris Rose Annie Edwards. So now we know.

The modest grave of William Crossing in the grave yard at St Mary's, Mary Tavy (there is a St Peter's in nearby Peter Tavy). William Crossing was the author of THE definitive book on Dartmoor - Crossing's Guide to Dartmoor. Written around 1906, it chronicles Crossing's rambles across and around the moor over many years and give details of many structures and customs now lost. It was a life time's work for Crossing and he was fairly poor for most of his days. His wife, Emma, actually died in the workhouse in Tavistock.