Whiteworks Tin Mine, Dartmoor

 Wall to wall sun down by the sea but a blanket of broken cloud at Princetown. A study of my OS map led me near Princetown where a single track lane leads south east beside the Fox Tor Cafe and is signed "Tor Royal Farm". The lane passes a tree plantation where gales have done considerable damage lately.

Spongy mosses and rivulets run everywhere

A tinners hut or perhaps a bank vault

Warning deep water

Public Bridleway reads the sign  (unsuitable for motors beyond here)

The lane eventually degrades into a dirt track as it reaches the tin workings which have long since been abandoned.
A torrent of water was running down one side of the road and joined one of the abandoned courses into the workings before descending into one of the rock filled shafts.  At the peak of production the area is said to have yielded up to 20 tons of  tin per year ( c1860).

The way up onto open moorland

Evidence around Whiteworks of early tin streaming since the Bronze Age has been found here. Later activity from the 12th Century is to be seen and streaming was carried on into the 16th C. Documents later uncovered show that work continued in a haphazard way with lesser men losing their investments, while the few made their fortune.

The higgledy piggledy tin workings lie all around

The Beech Tree a few days later and the scene is more inviting. I spotted a Hen Harrier .

The site altogether must be several hundred acres sprawling down towards the near horizon

One sheep that failed to reach the table

When a Bishop pleads Guilty

Peter Ball was supposedly a trustworty churchman, but by his own admission, reveals himself to have been an abuser.
Only now, twenty years later at a time when he sees the game is up, does he admit his behaviour. Jailed for 32 months at the Old Bailey today (07/10/15).

The CPS failed to press charges for a serious allegation brought by more than one victim, persons selected by the Bishop for their vulnerability, and the least likely to object. The abuse of power is quite appaling, yet was apparantly not even frowned upon by the then Archbishop of Canterbury Lord John Carey,  until now, once he too realises, that the game is up for the Church. 

Ball proceeded to resign as bishop and went to live in a property lent to him by his friend the Prince of Wales.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey colluded with the C.P.S. and Police to prevent the matter reaching a court of law. This perversion of the course of justice occurred despite the fact that in 1993 C.P.S. lawyers said there was   "SUFFICIENT ADMISSABLE, SUBSTANTIAL AND RELIABLE EVIDENCE” to bring a prosecution.  Today he has said sorry, but sorry is not good enough.

My suggestion here includes an appropriate place for abusers of children to be restrained, alongside those interfering with the English Law System,  particularly when the victims of such criminal behaviour are children.

 

PALACE FIT FOR A BISHOP -  and/or an ARCHBISHOP 

i

No escape for an 84 year old Bishop

ROOMS AVAILABLE

 On a happier note; this pleasant September day, we leave the above place of incarceration to enjoy the freedom of the Moor. Taking the road from Post Bridge to Widecombe we pass the stone circle and burial cairn beside a Forrestry Commission plantation.

Robbed of stone there remains only the outer kerbstones that once held a heap of granite above a buriel cyst.

Downstream from Two Bridgse

Heading away from the Fox Tor Cafe -  beside the road home.

Fox Tor Cafe for lunch again

Hazy sun and a chill wind across the moor today as Helen and me motored to Princetown for lunch then a walk close by Sharp Tor. 

Skylarks in full song and widespread as were patches of burnt heather and gorse from recent swailing.

Spotted a large Adder on the path before stepping any closer to it. Beautifully marked in light grey tones, perfectly matching the granite boulders nearby.

Morgan parked off road

Swailing

Sharp Tor

Adder sunbathing

Princetown for all day breakfast

Destination Fox Tor Cafe today in wall to wall sun across Dartmoor via Bovey Tracey and Grimspound. Super scenic run on busy roads but not so busy as last month in the snow.

At 11.30 am we reached the favourite eating place in Princetown and found the car park at the rear to be almost full and the cafe busy. Helen bought a couple of  books on Dartmoor walks as presents and we enjoy the warmth of two log burners going in the merry family atmosphere.

Towards home via Holne we stop at the Dart bridge for a photo session beside the river where to my exasperation the camera zoom lens of my Nikon malfunctioned for the second time in its two year life. Not something one would expect from a supposedly quality product.
I decided to head back via Exeter

In full spate the river fills this arch to  within 2/3 of the height of the roof.

Another victim of the internet revolution leaving me with the problem lens - I shall forward it to the repairers directly.

On arrival at the Harlequin car park in Exeter, Helen had a hilarious moment at my expense where we normally park the Morgan without incident.  Backing into the slot I touch the steel armour gently with the rear of the luggage rack onto which I mount a fire extinguisher. To make sure it had not dislodged I check the fixing but it frees loose in the process. Falling from my hand, down onto its trigger the thing deployed with a shower of white extinguisher powder, which dusted the rear end of the Morgan. Helen dissolved in hoots of laughter.

Returning home I find the Devon Camera Exchange to be un-contactable and my lens invoice for its previous repair lost in the caverns of a failed filing system.

Newly made Ted for Sophie

Yesterday my Pfaff sewing machine reverse lever jammed.
The third item broken in as many days.

To conclude my afternoon the engine oil and filter of the 4/4 is now changed.

One less job to do before we head away across channel in May.

Milo-meter reading 38,000+

Christmas Eve Pootle to Princetown

Heading towards  Princetown via Holn

Blackthorn tree festooned with lichen

The easiest road onto the Moor from Exeter today is via Ashburton and Holn and with little traffic to hinder progress.
Crossing the river Dart near the outward bound school we pause to see the river where dozens of canoeists are enjoying a full spate of  water flow. Ninety inches per year falls up here and it has a long way to go.
December 24th and the gorse bushes are in blossom. It should soon be  possible to enjoy the song of the  skylark high on the Moor from dawn to dusk.

Princetown is reached at midday and The Fox Tor Cafe
newly discovered. This seems to be the eating house of choice for locals and for the bevy of cyclists that have descended upon these tables today. The service is excellent, the food wholesome and generous and the atmosphere warm and friendly.  What more could anyone ask for, so close to Her Majesties Prison, without committing a crime.

Ancient fields of Dartmoor

Actually we were only supposed to park in the main street for  thirty minutes and broke the law a little.

Heading towards Princetown 

Showers heading our way

Holn

Two log burners keep the place very comfortable and for the walkers and cyclists there is a bunk house attached.

The Exhibition of photography we had hoped to view at the Town Hall is unfortunately not open until Boxing day and we happen to have arrived forty eight hours early!

Ancient woodland hides the Dart river

The Morgan almost lost from sight - just 40 Yards away

High road looking north-west towards Chagford.

After this most relaxing all day breakfast meal we head home past the Warren House Inn and Grimspound, Widdecombe and Bovey Tracey.
The Morgan is performing exactly as it should but now looking decidedly mucky. The Royal Ivory is in need of a good clean up. Some marine polish will do - a P.T.F.E..water repellent easy shine (Star-Brite).