So again the forecast was for cloudy skies and not much sign of sunshine. Up until the Saturday the weather had looked decent, with sunny spells, but on waking up this clearly wasn’t the case. The last 3 or 4 weeks seem to have been some sort of groundhog weather day, with a biting easterly wind and murky grey cloud. We didn’t rush out of the door, but when we did we headed up towards Haytor/Widecombe in the Moor area. On approach there was something missing, the tors were covered in low cloud, and driving across Halshanger Common it was obvious that we needed a new plan, which differed from the two I already had in my head. We turned and headed to Ausewell Wood and the newish car park there. The place has been opened up by the Woodland Trust and National Trust and a few paths created around Ausewell Rocks, outside of the normal bird nesting season, there are further paths down towards the River Webburn as well. Wanting to have a half decent walk we did an out and back to Buckland in the Moor village to pick off the Dartmoor 365 square, and have a look in the church. We then about turned back to the woods and complete a quick loop around the track, passing the rocks to tick those off as well. All in all the best we could do on a day like this, with a hope that the weather at least changes from the dull drab greyness we have currently.
Ausewell Wood map showing the longer yellow route and the short blue one, other paths run down to the river are in play during the non nesting season.We are heading first to Buckland in the Moor, looking back to Ausewell WoodThrough plenty of treesDown the laneThe weather was like this, and has been for a most of the last 3-4 weeks.Nearing Buckland in the Moor now, some very finely trimmed hedges either side of the laneVictorian post box as we enter Buckland in the MoorCute chocolate box cottages, the bridge is named Bridge with Ruddycleave Water passing underneath, it flows into the River Dart further along its courseThere seems to be snowdrops everywhere at the momentBuckland in the Moor church, St Peter’s. Buckland in the Moor is a Dartmoor 365 squareInside the churchThe fabulous rood screen from 1500. There is a picture in the church of the Wessex’s who visited in 2014 to see this screenNearby Buckland Beacon has the 10 Commandments carved into 2 rocks under the top rocks, in the church is a second carvingThatched vestry outside the church, believed to be the only one in England
Finally the clock on the church, donated in the early 1900s, it says My Dear Mother, which once we read that we could see it clearly, we were baffled before we knew what it said. Lots to see in this small church on Dartmoor.
More misty and grey just to prove the weather wasn’t for changingBack along the lanesBuckland Beacon above usAusewell Cross, a second Dartmoor 365 square todayLarge cairn in Ausewell WoodAusewell RocksPlenty of trees have been cut down in here and just left around the paths, making access to the rocks a bit tricky at the momentBack along the short route for us to the car park. Today we made the best of a tricky situation, with the weather not playing ball as per the forecast. As I type this the weather has changed already with temperatures climbing and rain falling. I’ll be wishing those grey days back again!!
Those lanes are stunning and even in the grey weather, you’ve taken some good photos. It has been milder up here in the North today, but of course that means rain too. Boohoo 😭
We couldn’t read any words to start with, I thought it was the letters of the months, then I was trying to remember zodiac signs, until I read to pamphlet
That Church is wonderful, probably best sort of walk in the grey weather. January was a pretty good month for weather up here, but February so far has been a bit grim although we did have a nice sunny afternoon yesterday
treksandtors 
Used to have to trespass in Awzle Woods, nice to see it opened up. We need Holne Chase next.
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Yes it would be great to have the other bank of the river opened as well
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Little hope I fear.
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Ha! Careful what you wish for! A heck of a lot packed into a short walk here – lots like a brilliant choice for a grey day.
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Still raining here, has been all day. Think I’ve jinxed it, apologies to all walkers
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Like you we’ve had a lot of grey of late, although we did get some blue late afternoon today.
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Those lanes are stunning and even in the grey weather, you’ve taken some good photos. It has been milder up here in the North today, but of course that means rain too. Boohoo 😭
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Yep same here, think I’ve jinxed it for everyone!!
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You must stop doing them rain dances!
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Weather has been poor since I typed that, today was glorious but tomorrow high winds and rain again. I need to keep quiet 😂
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Thank heavens for snowdrops and lovely churches!
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Seen lots of snowdrops this year, a real treat for the winter months
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I had to stare a while at that clock before I could see it too
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We couldn’t read any words to start with, I thought it was the letters of the months, then I was trying to remember zodiac signs, until I read to pamphlet
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that’s a great way to describe how the weather’s been this month, I’m so ready for spring!
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That Church is wonderful, probably best sort of walk in the grey weather. January was a pretty good month for weather up here, but February so far has been a bit grim although we did have a nice sunny afternoon yesterday
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Feb has been poor in the main, although we have a promising forecast for a few days now
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