New Year's Day 2020: Ditsworthy Warren

Happy New Year to anyone who reads this. 2020 and the start of a new decade. And what better way to start the year off than with a bimble on Dartmoor? Nothing quite as ambitious as our last walk along the Cornish Coastal Footpath, just a gentle stroll near Sheepstor. Bimble? That, apparently, is the term used for what we did. Another one for Scrabble enthusiasts? You see, reading this blog can be educational.

We took a circular route to Ditsworthy Warren House, a short way up the Warren itself and then back along the track that leads to the Eylesbarrow mine complex. At just over two miles, nothing too taxing but nonetheless enjoyable for that.

At this time of year, the moor looks rather barren, with just the dead bracken adding a splash of colour.  This area featured in the film War Horse or so I've been told. It's not one that I've watched, I'm afraid.

Ditsworthy Warren House, which is starting to look rather neglected. Once the home of the warrener and his family, it is now very occasionally used as a bunkhouse by the army for troops on exercise. It is isolated, although a popular destination for walkers, and atmospheric. Warrener? He who looked after the warrens and the rabbits contained therein.

Once upon a time (actually it was circa 1972) we found one of these on the moor and took it back to the flat we had in Plymouth. There we painted it with luminous paint and put it on display in our lounge, where it featured with a foil-covered mannequin's head and a unwanted toilet. Oh, to be young and daft again. Our tastes have matured over the years. Or, more accurately, Mrs P's have and mine have probably remained pretty much the same.

A few shots with my IR-adapted camera that give a slightly different perspective on the landscape.

Ditsworthy Warren House looking very bleak. I like this one as it looks like it felt.

The building to the right, to be found immediately in front of the Warren House, was where rabbits were hung prior to them being shipped off to wherever they were being sold. Plymouth market? Destined for the navy in Devonport via the Royal William Yard?

The skull in glorious IR.