Sunset near Ingra Tor on Dartmoor

What amazing weather we have had this weekend, sunshine and mild temperatures; it's been wonderful.

We caught the last of the sun visiting Ingra Tor on Dartmoor this afternoon, and I saw this fabulous hawthorn lurching over an old cornditch.  The lighting was stunning and to top it, a skylark was singing in the upper branches.

Feeling warm and fuzzy.

Look, I've even succumbed to colour:

Hound Tor, Dartmoor - First Look at an Epic Tor

Hound Tor dominates the landscape with its massive granite stacks and impressive avenue.  It is a very pure 'tor granite' (ie with large feldspar megacrystals) outcrop without tourmaline intrusions and other mineralisation that would alter its shape in weathering.

I visited it at the end of a spectacularly sunny day (yesterday) which was a gift.

I eventually found the cairn circle and cost and will post on them later.

In the meantime, here are some of my photographs from Hound Tor:

I must say 'Hello!' to Sara and the lovely couple who I got chatting to whilst looking the for cist.  So nice meeting new people who love just being on the Moor.

Fjällräven Polar 2015 Arctic Expedition - Competition

Dear All,


This may seem odd, but I am applying to go on a Polar expedition next year!  It is a competition by Fjällräven and you have to submit a video and get people to vote for you. Dog-sledding in the Arctic tundra I know is not everybody’s cup of tea, but I really want to do it.  I mean, really really. 

I want to prove that ordinary people can do adventurous things with the right preparation.  I started skiing when I was 40, so why not start my Arctic Exploration at 48? Anyway, I would be so grateful if you would vote for me.  And if you feel so inclined, ask your friends to vote too. 

To vote, just go here:

http://www.fjallravenpolar.com/show-all-contributions/?fbid=100002538821103

Thank you!!

Scorhill Stone Circle, Dartmoor

Scorhill Stone Circle lies on the eastern edge of the moor, at GR654874, near Gidleigh.  It is one of the best on Dartmoor and has not been restored.  It is however, missing quite a few stones which were used for gateposts and leat bank reinforcement before their use was discovered and stopped.

A view on a wind-swept Autumn day:

Sunrise and mist over High Dartmoor

Set my son off on a solo ten tors trek first thing on Saturday morning, from Okehampton Camp.  Volatile weather which made for some very atmospheric photos:

Fistral Beach, Newquay - Blustery Beaches in Black and White

Spent the weekend in Newquay at Fistral Beach and acquainted myself with the coves, caves and rocks around the headland.  Rather blustery though; my plans for peaceful sunsets with long exposures did not materialise.  However, being so close to the greatest wilderness on Earth is always a tonic.

I probably should come clean now and admit that I'm in a deeply satisfying monochrome phase.