Day 3 Thursday May 15th Onto Dartmoor and a good climb!

 Another good sunny day which we had plans to make the most of.  We were up, breakfasted (a delicious Cornish Arms way to start us) and ready to go by 1000.  We had decided to go up and onto Dartmoor and attempt to climb the 1450 feet high Cox Tor.  It all depended on our 

Car, wife and Cox Tor

fitness and joints - particularly 

View from the top

my knee.  We had climbed this hill several times before as part of other walks and so we knew the possible problems and how to cope if we did get into difficulty.  We set out and the initial portion from the car park is comparatively flat which we we managed OK.  As the gradient increased we began to puff and took several breathers.  But we 

Chris at top

persevered and took an elongated

me at top!

 route to avoid the steep and very rocky sections.  My wife was concerned about my health but there were no threatening episodes.  We got to the trig point at the top and took photos to prove we had made it.

The view at the top was fantastic and 

Tamar Bridge in view 

well worth the climb.  It proved to us the reasons we have fallen in love with Dartmoor.  Fantastic views, a real wilderness, animals 

Tavistock well below

(sheep and ponies) allowed to roam free to graze at will and scarcely any other people in sight.  The car park and cars looked very small from the top and the town of Tavistock nestled into a valley. We managed to get 

pony and very young foal

photos of lambs and very young foals with their mothers.  It was soon time to descend and we chose a different route but took it carefully avoiding slips and trips.  We noticed that since we left an ice cream van had arrived in the car park.  We needed very few stops on the way 

sheep with lamb

down and were soon back at the car.  As it was sunny and we felt pleased with ourselves, we decided to celebrate with a vanilla cornet with clotted cream and a 99er chocolate flake.  We do know how to live high!  That was enjoyed and we were able to watch the animals on the level part at the bottom of the Tor.  We were pleased to climb the Tor but will not be taking part in the annual Ten Tors race anytime soon!

It was nearing lunchtime and we had decided to go to another of our favourite places the Two Bridges hotel near Princetown.  We really needed a cold drink 

the old bridge at Two Bridges

and very light snack and the hotel duly obliged.  In our time originally the main road went over a single track granite postbridge and went very close to the hotel, now the road has been rerouted with a new bridge and the original bridge is now part of the hotel driveway - very appropriate and scenic.  We had our light lunch and a short walk along the West Dart river before returning to the car.

We now returned to Tavistock and after sorting ourselves out we went for a quick walk around the town.  It is as charming as ever but unfortunately it looks as if some of the special individual shops have had to close down. We did a bit of shopping and found a restaurant with a good Tripadvisor reputation for dinner in the evening.  We returned to our room, had a little rest and got ready for the meal.  The meal lived up to expectations and concluded a day that was for us a much better experience that yesterday although we think we will sleep well!