Pensive Dartmoor

Local tradition has it that the Meavy oak was planted in the reign of King John which makes it just about 960 years old.  

It was even older by the time our dinners came, but The Royal Oak is a handsome pub and the cider, from Sandford Orchards, was good so it wasn't too much of a hardship to wait.  

We read Active Dartmoor, which about cycling, kayaking, abseiling and running across the moor. and made me long for Pensive Dartmoor, about poetry, art, folklore, walks and recipes for cider bread pudding.

Once fed and cidered, we waddled out over Yennadon Down beneath circling buzzards.  It was hot and we were sweaty but the views were worth the exertion.  Here's Cox Tor, Great Staple Tor and Great Mis Tor.  

And here's St Michael de Rupe atop Brent Tor in the far west of the moor.  

And look, we were quite Active (for Pensive people).  

It started to rain while we were in Peekhill Plantation so we sheltered under an accommodating sycamore.  

It was very green apart from where it was orange.  Autumn Is Coming!  

At Lower Lowery (I love Dartmoor names!) we dropped down to Burrator Reservoir. (Here with Sheeps Tor in the background.)

Now I dislike reservoirs on the moor, with their conifers, rhododendrons - 'ugly as a brass-band in India' as Ted Hughes puts it - and tarmac, but I admit this configuration of clouds and water was quite serene.  

I've always wanted a garden with a wall with a door in it.  Somehow I don't think I'll ever get one, but it's good to pass other people's and wonder what lies behind.  

Our walk over, we headed back across the moor, stopping off at Dunnabridge to take a photo of an old sign that isn't there anymore.  

It looks like everything is begining to rust ...