By: Blonde Two
I don’t often start blog posts with an image but this place defies even the most verbose of Blonde’s ability to find words to describe it. I have talked to you about Three Barrows on Ugborough Moor before. Our beloved Dartmoor 365 book describes it as “A magnificent place to spend eternity” and it is right. I have never been anywhere that has given me (Blonde One felt it too) such a sense of being in the right place. The views are immense and the sense of exposure vivid. No, I am going to stop there, words really won’t work here, you must (and I insist) go and see it yourself.
The Two Blondes headed up to Three Barrows early on Saturday morning. We had camped near Shipley Bridge and risen at five to get our sixteen youngsters up and moving. We took a leisurely pace up the hill (280 metres straight climb) but were pleased to note that we had still managed it at 4 kph. We were due to check three teams through and settled down for what we knew was going to be quite a long wait. Team One came through ahead of time (they always do, we only just made it up the hill before them) and we had a chat and sent them on their way.
It was at this point that we realised that the wind chill factor was taking its toll and both Blondes were getting a bit shivery so we went for a march around the barrows (all three worth looking at) and found a hole in one of them that took us a bit more out of the wind. We had a couple of hours to wait (this never happens) so we both lay back in the sunshine for a while. I have to confess that I woke myself up by snoring so am very glad that our teams didn’t come through early.
For a variety of reasons with which we shall entertain you later in the week, the Two Blondes very nearly did end up spending eternity up at Three Barrows yesterday. In truth it was only six hours but we felt pretty much settled by the time we left (if only someone had fixed the central heating!)
I’ve been looking at the map of the areas you mention and have noticed The Two Moors Way. That looks like a great backpacking route and it’s set my mind awhirl.
It is a challenge the Two Blondes would like to take on one day. The sections that we know are fantastic. You must promise to let us know if you are going to do it!
Quite pleased with myself. Managed to identify the view as being the one from Three Barrows before I read on! It is an awesome viewpoint! Obviously a great place for a lie down if you can get out of the wind – I think I posted a pic recently of littlest Farley having a bit of a lie down on the middle Barrow! x
Well done you. The skylarks forgot we were there after a while and were fluttering really near to us.
Six hours is not a bad wait (a long weight?!) – our DofE supervision record stands at 36+ hrs on one checkpoint – not because anyone was late, just three teams crossing the same point in that time. Supervised by a freelancer – a long checkpoint duty henceforth know as a Spinky in our dictionary!
Would that be the same Spinky that I know and love?!
Would it be Spinky that calls you a name that you hate Blonde One?
There can be only one Spinky! You can recognise a Spinky (noun: place of long checkpoint wait) by the ring of increasing height of tab ends around the exact spot…
The very spot for a night on the wildside – savour the Skylarks; they are becoming rarer.
You are so right – every time we go up, we say how lovely it would be to camp. I think we Blondes could even get all of our kit up the hill if we went slowly enough! I know too that the Skylarks have retreated from a lot of the fields surrounding the moors but they are abundant up there and very, very much appreciated by us Blondes!
I think I have commented before that we have an awesome view up to urborough moor from our house. Unfortunately our twisted willow has gone through a huge growth spurt(must be all the water) and had just about obscured the view. Now I like trees but I love our view of the moors, so after an afternoon armed with a saw and secaturs (no idea how to spell that!!!) our view of ugborough moor is restored and we have just watched a lovely sunset over the barrows! Next time you’re up that way, let us know and we’ll give you a wave!!! X
We will especially if we remember our binoculars – which we never do! Have you ever done what we did with Haytor and taken a bearing then gone up and used a back bearing to find your house?
No but we really should! We can pick out Berry Head from up there and we aren’t a million miles away from there! Right, now I have a good excuse to head back up there!!!! x