Minions to Siblyback and return

 A rather hazy day with a rather dull sky but that did not deter us from getting out on to Bodmin Moor. Due to a discrepancy between the planned route and the one we actually took, it was a little longer than anticipated. But it was none the worse for that. We don't often walk across this part of the moor so it was something different for us.

Starting and ending at Minions (again), we headed out across Craddock Moor to Tregarrick Tor and thence to Siblyback Lake. We walked around that and then headed back to Minions via the hamlet of Common Moor. The distance was clocked up at 7.7 miles - so much for the estimate of 6 miles. But the reasons for this difference can be rationalised, so that's OK.

Visible from the car park, Craddock Moor mine was where we headed. Little is known about this copper mine and in the foreground can be seen the remains of the surface workings - the remnants of streaming, lode-back working and associated dumps.

The small engine house that serviced Edmond's Shaft.

Infra-red image of the above.

Tregarrick Tor was a very obvious landmark to head for and the walking was relatively easy, with only a few boggy encounters, The tor itself stands at just over 1000' and is the site of an undated prehistoric hillfort and a number of cairns. There was so much in the way of granite clitter around that it was difficult to make any of these features out.

Infra-red image of Tregarrick Tor. I like the effect on this one.

Looking down on Siblyback Lake from Tregarrick Tor. This is where our domestic water comes from. If it were labelled something like 'Bodmin Spring', they could sell it in bottles. Lucky us get it out of our taps. And lucky us were able to have a rather delicious brunch at Olive & Co, the cafe at Siblyback. Highly recommended.

Looking northwards from Tregarrick Tor further into Bodmin Moor. Lots of boulders, many of which have a story to tell.

An aerial view gives a much better idea of what the landscape contains - Bronze Age settlement, with hut circles, and a mediaeval field system. Lumps and bumps at ground level and quite difficult to discern what is what.

A tangle of vegetation at the 'top end' of the lake.

Looking down the lake from the 'top end'. Look closely and you can make out a Mallard and, sadly, some plastic detritus.

Near the dam, looking across the lake with Tregarrick Tor in the distance.

The promise of delights to come. Lots of buds but very few flowers. Give it another week or so and this bank will be a blaze of yellow. It was noticeable that the daffodils up here, on the high parts of the moor, were at least a couple of weeks behind ours at home.

Looking down from the dam onto the water overflow. The water flows into the River Fowey, which is used as a channel from the reservoir to abstraction points further downstream.