Post by Dave on Oct 27, 2017 19:19:58 GMT
Dartmeet, The Prison And The Cows 27th October 2017
I am still finding it hard to adjust to working on Saturdays and having a day off in the week. This week I was given Friday off and one look out of the window seeing bright sunshine made my mind up I had to go out and not waste the day at home.
I decide to head up to Dartmoor and spend some time walking around Dartmeet. For those who do not know, Dartmeet is a famous beauty spot on Dartmoor where east and west branches of the River Dart meet in a steep, wooded valley. The first mention of the place is in a Duchy of Cornwall document dated 1616 where it was called – Dartameet, Glover et al. There are two bridges which span the East Dart river, one is an ancient clapper bridge and the other a more modern addition.
The old clapper bridge formerly had five granite spans which were washed away in 1826 when the East Dart River was in full flow. It was then re-erected in 1888 by the Dartmoor Preservation Association. I’m not sure when it was damaged again but the way it looks now is how I have always remembered it.
The modern bridge which stands alongside the ancient clapper bridge has two semi-circular arches that each span about 30ft, a tablet in the centre records the fact that it’s a county bridge and bears the date 1792.
This is the best time of the year to visit Dartmeet as in the summer the place is so often packed to the rafters with tourists etc. The car park today was half empty and I soon found myself leaving the car park and crossing over the road on the left hand side of the bridge to see the place the two rivers meet. ( PICTURE NUMBER SEVEN)
After that I walked back to the car park and walked along the river towards the Badgers Holt Hotel and tea rooms. At the end of the hotel is a gate that you can walk through and walk further along the river banks. I walked a good mile or so before heading back to the car and setting off in my car for Two Bridges.
The car park at the Two bridges Hotel was packed so I did not drive in and instead headed towards Princetown to take a photo of the prison. I decided to drive back home across the moor on the Moretonhampstead road. It is a lovely drive but one you must take care on due to all the livestock that so often wonders onto the road.
I had to slow down many times for sheep and then I came across a section of the road that was blocked by cows. Just near by was a place I could park and I was soon out taking some pictures of the cows and the cars trying to drive around them. II may be wrong but I believe these cows are highland cows a Scottish breed of cattle.
A really enjoyable day and one where I remembered just how lucky I am to live by the sea and have Dartmoor on my doorstep.
