So May was passing us by and the weather hadn’t really got going, it was still pretty cold (low teens in celsius in Plymouth so colder on the moor) and there was lots of drizzly days. We’d seen a few pictures of Holwell and the bluebells when finally a couple of much warmer days came, typical Britain where it is either cool or heatwave within a day of each other and then back to cool. We decided on an evening walk to miss the worst of the heat and hopefully catch the stunning Holwell blooms (see previous years for some great ones here). As it turned out we were about a week late to get the best of the Holwell Lawn display, but when you add up all the parts, there must be a square mile or more of bluebells to enjoy, so we still saw pockets of fantastic colour. We started by Saddle Tor and headed for the Emsworthy Barn first, before dropping to cross the Becka Brook for the first time in this walk. We traversed the boardwalks, before climbing to the road under Holwell Rocks. We did a U-turn heading back into Holwell Lawn, crossing the area normally full of bluebells, this time bracken had taken over and the flowers had turned. We continued to Greator Rocks and then dropped again to the Becka Brook and across the clapper bridge. We climbed steeply to Smallacombe Rocks as the sun started to drop, so we decided to miss out Holwell Tor and Haytor, and instead follow the tramway to Emsworthy Rocks, reaching there just as the sun was setting behind Hameldown. A lovely walk, some good batches of bluebells and a bit of a sunset so we did well to catch the break in the weather whilst we had the chance. Just one more walk to post before I take you through a marathon of posts about our trip to Italy, which might take me until winter to finish!
Before we headed off I’d caught a few photos around our garden, one of the small copper here on the soilChives in full flower, thyme in white flower behind thatSpeckled Wood on the wallOn driving to the parking spots we passed Hook’s Cross, a Dartmoor 365 squareA map of the area around Emsworthy Barn. Pond field is where the boardwalk sections are, and Phoebe tor is the other name for Holwell RocksI must be warm as Linda doesn’t have a fleece on, we start to pick up little patches of the bluebells as we walk to the barnThe red roof of the barn can be seen, some decent patches of bluebells as well. If you search the internet for Holwell bluebells, lots of photos include the red roof barn and purple swathes of flowersSome are left, but lots have died off already. They were early this year, with 10-15th May being the best time. I’ve seen them on 27th May in full flower previously, this walk was 23rd.Still some lovely colour as we look up to Emsworthy Rocks, time for a sit down and a cuppa.Painted Lady sits on a rock whilst we have our brewCold Moor TorAs we walked we looked back to Emsworthy Rocks, Saddle Tor and Rippon Tor (l to r)I quite liked the shape of this tree, there were signs up talking about ash dieback, so it may have been one of thoseHolwell bluebells. Haytor at the backNot as good as previously seen but still lovely to be outAt times this area holds eventing days and the horse jumps can be seen scattered around the fieldsLooking along the Becka Brook valleyLooking up to Hound TorStanding by Greator Rocks and looking across to Haytor (left) and Holwell Tor, Rippon Tor is back right. We had another brew hereBecka Brook clapperGolden hour approaches as we climb to Smallacombe Rocks, Hound Tor and Greator Rocks are silhouettedA nice light starts to glow on the granite at Smallacombe RocksLooking to Holwell Tor, we next headed left from here to the tramwayHaytor tramway (Templer Way) which took the granite in the 1800s from the quarries on Haytor, Holwell and Emsworthy to Stover, then on to canal boat to Teignmouth. Finally by boat to London to build London Bridge, British Museum, National Gallery and Covent Garden market. We next would follow the tramway to Emsworthy Rocks out of sight in the distanceLinda watches the sun set from Emsworthy RocksPart of Emsworthy Rocks looking to Hound TorA purple hue below around Emsworthy BarnLast of the sun sets behind Hameldown as we reach the car, a lovely way to spend an evening
treksandtors 