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The third part of the Beating of the Widecombe Bounds was held on 10th June 2000, with a repeat in two parts on the following 13th and 15th June. We did the first part on the Saturday and the second part on the following Thursday.

Part 3A: Ephraim’s Pinch to Dartmeet

Today we met at approximately 12 o’clock for lunch at Ephraim’s Pinch and await the arrival of the (large) group beating the bounds of Spitchwick Manor, scheduled for the same day at 1.00 p.m. The Spitchwick contingent started their walk at 8.30 a.m. and were doing the full 18 miles of their boundary in one day! We had been warned that they might be a bit late on account of the wet terrain. In the end they arrived about 2.00 p.m. and fairly steamed past us. We had to be quick to get all our belongings together and set off after them. They did some ceremonial beating on one or two of the boundary stones in the first part of the walk. 

They then led us down to the edge of Wallabrook via a very boggy area where we all had to go in single-file, and along which someone had kindly (?) laid out logs so we could pass along without getting too wet. 

Someone said it was the organisers idea of a joke. It certainly was not the boundary. What is the truth? Nonetheless, everyone managed it without mishap in the end.

We then followed the east bank of Wallabrook across private fields, with some improvised stiles across barbed wire fences (Ouch!) and a number of very boggy patches (which quickly teach you the value of grass tufts).

There was a nice view of Pizwell Farm as we passed.

Also a tor that is not normally seen.

By this time the leading pack of walkers had vanished into the distance, so all the photos are lonely ones (apologies for this!). We walked on to Riddon Farm and carried on close to the side of the Brook and then the East Dart. We passed the road to Babeny, and Sherwell in the distance.

The river and the riverside is particularly beautiful on the stretch of the walk as we approach Dartmeet and our tea stop, and for us, on this occasion, the end of part one of the third walk.

Part 3B: Dartmeet to Newbridge

June 15^th 2000

A very hot day - the start of a heatwave? (sadly no as it turned out).

We headed uphill from Dartmeet and across Spitchwick Common, walking slightly north of east and keeping the Dart in sight.

We came to the remains of the Warrener’s Cottage, and also spotted a number of pillow mounds (artificial burrows for rabbits). The stones showing in the picture, almost buried beneath bracken, is what's left of the cottage. This was also the place where regular cockfighting was held, ‘upstream from Newbridge’ as it was vaguely described in order to confuse the local constabulary.

We then headed uphill and walked across toward Rowbrook Farm. We saw an overhanging rock with a man-made shelter (what was this for??).

We enjoyed the beautiful view of the Dart from this point. We reached Simon’s Lake (although we couldn’t find the lake) for lunch.

We carried on up and across and picked up Dr Blackall’s Drive. The views down to the Dart were spectacular. A number of old style granite gateposts are in evidence. We saw what looked like a very good example of a hut circle (genuine?).

At a particular point along the drive, the geology changes from Granite to Shale and Quartz. This change is very evident here (although the picture is a bit dark, unfortunately).

The corn ditch with the wall or banked up area behind was provided to prevent wild animals from entering enclosed areas. Lovely wild flowers (stonecrop?) growing in this wall.

What are these surface cairns (?). Stones collected for the Drive but not used? They seem of relatively recent age.

Down the hill we walked towards the Dart. There was welcome relief in the shade. Experiments with bracken clearance were in evidence. We passed an old leat which served the nearby copper mine. We reached the potato field (so called because they probably used it to grow potatoes at one time) and walked along the river. 

Saw the top of an old mine shaft (the copper mine?).

Finally we reached journey’s end (and the bounds end) after a delightful walk.

Also a very welcome ice-cream (and it looks as if Anthony is paying!!).

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