Between Three Tors in brilliant sunshine!

Despite the sunshine & a big blue sky, this was a walk for late winter and we saw very little evidence of spring apart from a pair of nesting ravens, one Daisy & some Lesser Celandines!

After walking down through Trebartha, we crossed the Lynher river (evidence of otters) and climbed up the bridle path towards the moor above Castick Wood. A short but serious bout of nut-hunting revealed signs of woodmice and voles but also dormice; roe deer slots, a dead shrew and a strong smell of fox added to the list of mammal signs which had begun at the start with the mole hills in the village playing field....

Up onto the moor, we lost the shelter of Hawks Tor as we crossed the open moorland (very dry & bleached) towards Trewortha farm.

Thank you to Mr & Mrs Lawrence for allowing us to eat our lunches in the roundhouse; once our eyes adjusted to the darkness and as we shivered in the draughts, we discussed 'how life must have been' and various construction methods to do with thatched roofs.

Back out into the sunshine to examine the remains of a burial cist complete with box and ringed with upright granites. More thoughts on life or rather the final rites of passage resulted in Tony curling up inside the box! (Image taken by Sandra Whaites)

After looking at the lichens hanging from some but not all trees, we were called to order before the crossing of the marsh beyond. Most of us got across without too much trouble; only one tumble and a pair of muddy knees. We paid our respects to the nesting ravens before walking down through woodland and fields to the footbridge across the river, making our way past this venerable oak before the last haul uphill to the village.

Dazzled by so much sun, we said our farewells with promises to meet at Rezare on the 21st for a more gentle and springlike walk in the woods.