22 Mar 2012 – Devon

We have just returned from 3 nights camping at Harford Bridge on the edge of Dartmoor (we were the only tent!). The weather was great for walking although it did rain in the middle of the third night. This trip was the first for our new tent – the same design as the last one but a couple of feet longer which greatly improved the space for sitting. We also tried out our electric hook–up which enabled us to use an electric kettle, a fan heater and electric light and what a difference it made – we were warm in the evening and could read!

We enjoyed 4 walks including one new circular walk from the campsite across farmland to Mary Tavy and back via tracks and a narrow but very quiet country road. The other walks were some of our favourites. First there was a walk to the church on top of Brentor. When we had done this walk before it had been raining or the clouds were low. Consequently, the views were not that good. This time they were fantastic and we could see for miles in every direction. The view shown is to the North East.

The second walk was to the Dewerstone and then down a very steep and quite difficult path past the Dewerstone Crags before crossing the river and climbing up the other side of the valley. The photograph of the crags, taken from the opposite side of the valley, gives an indication of how steep a climb it was.

Our final walk was along Dr Blackall’s Drive with tremendous views of the Dart Valley and then returning through woods and across farmland and the Moor to our car and a welcome cup of soup. The walk may only have been 8.4 km but the ascents and descents certainly had our muscles aching.

This is the earliest in the year we have been camping in the UK but the weather, fan heater and electric light certainly made it very pleasant!