By: Blonde Two
There has been quiet excitement in both Blonde camps over the last couple of days. The Two Blondes are going to spend today and tomorrow “off-grid”. Now I realise that “off-grid” has numerous meanings so, before you all panic and think we won’t be blogable, let me explain what it means in the World-of-Blonde.
In the head of a Dartmoor Blonde, anywhere that is not Dartmoor and therefore not on OL28 must be “Somewhere Else”, “Over There” or “Off-Grid”. We have nearly wandered off OL28 by mistake a couple of times, Brent Tor for example, is clearly a tor (albeit made of different stoney stuff) and most definitely on Dartmoor but it is also, sadly in the realms of “Off-Grid”.
We aren’t going too far, just to visit the neighbours on Exmoor. The official story is that this trip is a recce (as in reconnaissance) for our DofE Gold practice. It will, of course, also be a recce (as in recreation) for both Blondes who need a bit of giggling time. We do in truth, have some roads to measure regarding minibus capabilities. The process is simple and goes a bit like this; Blonde One drives the Landy down a smallish lane, each Blonde sticks a hand out of their respective windows, if one loses a fingernail, the lane is too small for a minibus. I bet a bloke never thought of doing that!
I have found Brent Tor, I think, (SX 470 804). Is there any significance that it has a church with a tower on top?
Ten miles to the south-west there is Kit Hill, another Marilyn, worth a quick diversion if you’re in the area because you can drive right to the top. I visited on a dreish day – see photo:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/c44ve75kz2a0jvc/IMG_1166.JPG
Another Dropbox link – hope it works.
Apparently many churches on hills are called St Michaels – I can’t remember why. There is lots of information about the legends surrounding Brent Tor here http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/brentor.htm
Oh yes, I forgot to say. The Two Blondes took in their first shared Marilyn today – Dunkery Beacon. I will put some pictures on the blog soon. It was lovely.
Congratulations on the Marilyn.
Click the link to see me at Dunkery Beacon on 27th April 2008 on my Land’s End John ‘o Groats walk.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uzlhq7kpvzkfqp5/Slide75.JPG
Excellent – how long did the walk take you? It looks like we had sunnier weather for Dunkery than you did!
I took 77 days and generally had good weather, Dunkery was an exception. I camped 48 of the nights, but after Dunkerey I stayed in a posh bed and breakfast that evening at Wood Advent Farm near Roadwater.
Indeed – purple is sooo last year!
Here is an enhancement of your deer pic:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5byimw243y6rf8z/Blonde%27sDeer.jpg
They show up a bit better now. I am looking forward to seeing the heather in full bloom in the summer.
Ouch!
a less painful method is leaning out – also provides a free supply of headless ghosts for lonely crossroads – bet you never thought of that