One of the 57 challenges I set myself in May was to walk from Princetown, home of Dartmoor Prison, to Plymouth and yesterday was the day I set off to achieve the goal. I kind of did it, to the extent I am going to count it, although there was dramatic conclusion to the walk which saw it end a few miles short of the destination at Bickleigh.
Paul had indicated he'd like to take part in the hike when I shared the list many months ago and so it came that on Saturday the two of us and two of his friends, Kev and Ewan, were driven to Princetown to start the walk in the midst of Storm Alex, the first of the year's named storms which dumped heavy rain over the south of the country along with strong winds.
In all honesty we expected far worse from the heavens and despite the wind and slanting rain, it was not the torrent we'd thought would greet us. In fact many sections were completed in the dry, a big plus when you've prepared for the worst.
It was a stunning walk and the moors looked suitably sombre in the grey skies, cold northerly breeze and stinging rain. However, it began to soften with fields and evidence of habitation and small groups of other walkers and cyclists dotted along the trail. We stopped in Meavy for a pint at the Royal Oak, scrumpy under the shelter of a gazebo, avoiding the temptations of the fire which burned invitingly inside.
Burrator Reservoir looked beautiful as we dropped down from the higher moor, even though the skies continued to be gloomy. There was time for another pint in The Skylark as pressed on, 11 miles into the hike and glowing with the effort.
Sadly, we had to get a lift back from Bickleigh as a phone call from Stornoway Hospital came through, a big shock and requiring urgent attention. Thankfully things have become far rosier overnight and I can now look back on the adventure with greater pleasure.
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