Day 3

 It was a lovely peaceful campsite at Dartmoor Shepherds Huts, or at least it should have been, Unfortunately, at about 10pm a group of Indian men turned up at one of the cabins and promptly started to have a drinking/cooking session on their veranda. I’ve no idea what they were saying because they were chatting in Urdu or Punjabi, but they continued on laughing and talking loudly until well past 3am, despite me asking to be quiet a couple of times! Needless to say, I was a bit grumpy when I got up this morning! 

I packed up and left the site just before 9 and headed over to Holme, where there was a community shop/cafe. They weren’t quite ready to do breakfast when I arrived but I decided to wait for them, to get the prep done and I’m glad I did! 

 

Whilst in the cafe, I recognised some of my fellow Two Moors Way hikers. A couple of men (Paul & Andy) and another man & wife team. Paul is camping and doing the whole thing like me, Andy was just accompanying him for a couple of days. They stayed at the same place as me last night and were equally unimpressed with all the noise! The married couple ( I haven’t found out their names) are staying in accommodation and having their luggage transferred every day ( a much easier option if you can afford it)! 

After eating my breakfast, I rejoined the trail, which took you along the edge of the River Dart for a short while. 

After that, there was a steep climb back up onto the moor. Unfortunately, it’s been drizzling most of the day. It doesn’t bother me enough to bother putting waterproof’s on, because what they’ll stop in rain penetration they’ll create in sweat! What the drizzle does mean is that any views are somewhat diminished! There should have been some quite spectacular views from the tops of the moors looking down onto the Dart valley, but not today! 

The blister on my left foot has been giving me a bit of jip today. Nothing that’s going to cause any long-term problems, but just enough to get on your nerves! 

I have made my way down off the moor to Widdecombe in the Moor, where I’ve re-hydrated

and had a sandwich. 

After I leave here, I’ll be heading back up onto Hamel Down Tor. I will have to wild-camp tonight ( which is perfectly legal on Dartmoor) but I’ve no idea if I will have any phone reception to update this blog, hence why I’m publishing it early (3pm). 

**UPDATE**

After I left the pub, I headed back out up the steep ascent onto the moor and headed first, to Hambledon Beacon then onto Hambledon Tor. It drizzled the whole way and the wind picked up to a strong breeze. 

I am now camped on top of Hookney Tor, which at 497m, is the highest I’ve ever wild camped! 

As you can probably see from the picture, the pitch isn’t exactly level, but it was the best I could find that was relatively sheltered from the wind. No doubt I’ll be slipping off my sleeping mattress during the night! It’s still drizzling but is supposed to clear up at some stage. 

Amazingly enough, there is a full 4g signal up here, so I can update this and amuse myself on social media. 

Thats another 13 miles chalked off today and no more blisters to report.