No day’s walking on Dartmoor is complete without a visit to the Fox Tor Cafe, and especially so when you’re staying next door. Being on winter opening hours, it didn’t open until 10am and Cath and I were first in the queue at the front door for when it opened. Looking through the window we could see Paul and Jim at the back door also occupying position 1. They opened up and all 4 of us headed straight to the counter to order. A leisurely breakfast was had, but our route had been decided in advance and it wasn’t far to go.
Eventually, we drove down to Yelverton and onwards to park up near Uppaton. The first stage of the walk was a contour around the slope of Roborough Down to Berra Tor.
Further down the hill towards the River Tavy we headed, finding two groups of unnamed rocks on the way. The usual ribald suggestions for names were trotted out.
We joined the track leading down to the river and emerged by its side, spending a few moments there and deciding on our course. We attempted to stick close to the river, but were foiled by the terrain, climbed back up past various old mine workings and looped around and down to Double Waters.
Across the River Walkham in the angle where the two rivers meet, sat Goat Rock. Probably the nicest one of the day. And not even on our “official” bagging list (thanks Phil). It seemed like a good place for a lunch break, so we perched on rocks by the water’s edge and broke out the hot Ribena.
A long drag up a track past Bucktor and soon we were back at the car. We saddled up and rode down to Meavy for a pint. Some dangerous purple cider may or may not have been consumed. Then it was back to the Plume for a bit of milling about before the festivities, which mainly consisted of more dubious cider. Well we were in the West Country.
Love the Royal oak at Meavy, great pub
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