Belston Ted Hughs Cranmere 13 Mile 10th Aug 2011
Wednesday 31st July 2019. Map above refers.
This walk includes one of the access routes to the Okehampton Military Firing Range and is an exceptionally remote part of Dartmoor.
It is the last day of July for our team of 5 and a little chilly with some earlier sunshine and light showers throughout the day. Temperature down, around 15ºC.
One of the main interest points of the route is to visit the Ted Hughes Memorial Stone. This proved a little difficult in the wet ground conditions, particularly with the high moorland grass. We paid our respects to the deceased Poet Laureate; with a shower of minor insults and continued on our way with the intention of traversing to Cranmere Pool. However this idea was aborted, because of the poor ground conditions and thus continued to the Military Post at Hangingstone Hill. En route at GR 6152 8634., W, of Hangingstone, we found what appeared to be the remains of some disused ordnance in the form of two 100mm, shell or shell cases (see photo). I have reported the location to the Okehampton Military and they have undertaken to deal with the issue, with a degree of urgency. They expressed their thanks for our diligence!
Total Distance of this demanding route 11.6 miles with a summated elevation of 1894 ft……….Mike.
This walk includes one of the access routes to the Okehampton Military Firing Range and is an exceptionally remote part of Dartmoor.
It is the last day of July for our team of 5 and a little chilly with some earlier sunshine and light showers throughout the day. Temperature down, around 15ºC.
One of the main interest points of the route is to visit the Ted Hughes Memorial Stone. This proved a little difficult in the wet ground conditions, particularly with the high moorland grass. We paid our respects to the deceased Poet Laureate; with a shower of minor insults and continued on our way with the intention of traversing to Cranmere Pool. However this idea was aborted, because of the poor ground conditions and thus continued to the Military Post at Hangingstone Hill. En route at GR 6152 8634., W, of Hangingstone, we found what appeared to be the remains of some disused ordnance in the form of two 100mm, shell or shell cases (see photo). I have reported the location to the Okehampton Military and they have undertaken to deal with the issue, with a degree of urgency. They expressed their thanks for our diligence!
Total Distance of this demanding route 11.6 miles with a summated elevation of 1894 ft……….Mike.
Here we sit upon this stone
Chilling bum right through to bone,
Being six we are not alone,
By heck! The first three lines do rhyme.
Naturally, good poets do this all the time.
Did'st we feel this granite shake?
The spirit of Ted found it hard to take
Criticism of his writing skill.
By a walker who drinks whisky by the gill.
But Poet Laureate you may have been.
However, rhyme and rhythm was not your theme.
Now we admire the sky and moor,
Scramble down valley and up to tor.
While resting on this granite grey
We will come another day.
But you wont Ted.
Because you're dead.
Chilling bum right through to bone,
Being six we are not alone,
By heck! The first three lines do rhyme.
Naturally, good poets do this all the time.
Did'st we feel this granite shake?
The spirit of Ted found it hard to take
Criticism of his writing skill.
By a walker who drinks whisky by the gill.
But Poet Laureate you may have been.
However, rhyme and rhythm was not your theme.
Now we admire the sky and moor,
Scramble down valley and up to tor.
While resting on this granite grey
We will come another day.
But you wont Ted.
Because you're dead.