DRAMA ON THE DARTMOOR WAY

Here is a short story with Christmas cheer.  Our local Sustrans South Devon Group held our annual Dark Skies Ride and Christmas Dinner last Wednesday at the Cornwood Inn.  It was a welcome treat from Sustrans that I was able to present Michael Owen with a Certificate of Appreciation for his volunteering work.  Michael looks after 95 miles of the Dartmoor Way Cycle Route more of less single handedly and then finds time on our guided rides.  Somehow he always seems to manage it with a smile. 

 

 

 It was very appropriate therefore that our ride was on the Dartmoor Way.  We met at the Watermark Centre in Ivybridge at 6.30pm and there was a massive hailstorm.  Colin thought that we should wait a bit before we set off and Andy, wearing shorts agreed.  Kate, meanwhile, looked ready to go while her partner, George, seemed to prefer Colin’s idea.  Michael, who was unable to cycle because of an eye problem, was being driven there with his wife, Debbie, and met a violent hailstorm.  Fortune, however, favours the brave and we never saw any more rain or hail.  We set off for a 5 mile trip via Harford to Cornwood and this was a true Dark Skies ride.  There were no street lights, few cars and only the occasional farm or house.  We heard owls hooting, listened to the rivers crashing down from Dartmoor after the deluge and the night sky opened up for us to see whispery clouds and distant moors lit up by the moon.  It was amazing.   

The Cornwood Inn served us a treat.  Colin was able to have his favourite beer, Doom Bar, and mine was there too, Tribute.  There was a big selection of meals so some had traditional turkey while there was plenty of choice for the others.  The landlady gave us free mulled wine at the start and coffees at the end.  She regaled us with stories about Black Eye Friday held annually just before Xmas.  Apparently this involves a good scuffle in the bar but everyone meets up on the next morning as best of friends. Colin came up with ten different recipes for Gaelic Coffee while Andy and Michael swapped stories of motor bike adventures from old.  George and Colin were very interested to hear that our new neighbour makes clinker boats.  Kate and I extolled the virtues of local wildlife.   

The weather held for the ride back and we all managed the steep hill leading to Harford Church.  We arrived back in Ivybridge just after 11pm and there is talk of having a summer social ride.

 

Merry Christmas