For my part, having spent Saturday morning with friends, we said our goodbyes and made our way across Dartmoor.
The weather was glorious; it was ‘The Ten Tors’ event this weekend and good weather always helps. We only spotted one group of youngsters taking part. It was also surprisingly quiet on the roads as we passed through Widecombe - in - the - Moor and then we continued towards Princetown and Tavistock, before making our way home.
Whenever I take a trip across Dartmoor, the first book that comes to mind is, ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’, written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
There are various descriptions in this wonderful book and in one of the descriptions, Dr Watson describes the moor as ‘gloomy’, ‘sinister’, ‘so vast and so barren, and so mysterious’, and ‘like some fantastic landscape in a dream.’
Well, it most certainly wasn’t gloomy on Saturday but there are times when the weather can change quite rapidly and then Dartmoor takes on a completely different persona.
And then, in chapter 7, Conan Doyle is writing about Stapleton’s observations: ‘ It is a wonderful place, the moor,’ said he, looking round over the undulating downs, long green rollers, with crests of jagged granite foaming up into fantastic surges. ‘ You never tire of the moor. You cannot think the wonderful secrets which it contains. It is so vast and so barren and so mysterious.’
And I have to agree. I never tire of it and we are so very lucky to have Dartmoor on our doorstep!
They remind me of those fruit salad chews that we used to buy as children!
Hubby's eldest grandson completed the 10 tors last weekend, your blooms are stunning.
ReplyDeleteDartmoor looks glorious, and not in the least bit gloomy. It looks like a beautiful drive over.
ReplyDeleteI remember those Fruit Salad sweets. They used to get stuck in your teeth :) Xx
Gorgeous colours! As soon as I read 'fruit salad chews' my mouth started to water.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful landscape when the sun shines.
I remember visiting Dartmoor as a child and the ponies there. Geum Mai Tai is glorious, I too remember the penny chews, always in a small triangular paper bag, both the fruity ones and the liquorish ones:)
ReplyDeleteI loved Dartmoor when I visited, many years ago now.
ReplyDeleteThose orchids are beautiful.
What a brilliant description for flower colours - like fruit chews.
ReplyDeleteThe orchids are beautiful. Unfortunately I don't have much success growing them indoors. I must give them another try as they are lovely. I have not been to Dartmoor before although hubby has. It looks a wonderful part of the country to visit. Thank you for sharing your photo, Sal.