Carpe diem. Five ‘Beans’ sprout forth…

Carpe Diem

Granite skull above the entrance to St. Leonard’s Church, Sheepstor. It reads – Et Hora Sic Vitae      (As the hour – so life passes.)

Arc of our shadows - guess the Beanies

The arc of our shadows.

On the 6th of March – I received a communication from our Great Leader Old Bean – that he was planning a walk from Princetown to Meavy via Sheepstor – for Saturday the 8th March – and the weather promised to be fair; “No excuses.” was his dictate!   It is a favourite route for the Beanies – not just because of the beautiful scenery – or because alot of the route is downhill and on the level – but because there is a rather nice watering hole at the half-way point too, The Royal Oak Inn – at Meavy.  The partaking of hot, bacon baguettes, oozing with melted brie and cranberries, has become somewhat of a Beanie tradition.

En route, I always enjoy a quieter moment for reflection; at Saint Leonard’s Church in Sheepstor…

Reflection.

Reflection.

– and Saint Peter’s Church in Meavy…

Enlightenment.

En-light-enment.

It is a circular walk, starting and finishing at Princetown, that offers everything to a Dartmoor wayfarer; spiritual enlightenment, views that feed the soul – and wholesome pub grub to boot!

It was definitely time to christen my new boots – and rendezvous for 10 am at Princetown carpark – no excuses needed; wild horses couldn’t have kept me away!

Following in the footsteps of Dartmoor Ponies

Where Dartmoor Ponies tread – so do we.

It was one of those rare days when conditions were absolutely perfect – the fresh, Dartmoor air was so clear that one could almost drink it.  With the warm Spring sunshine and just a whisper of a breeze – we headed off over the Moor – with the huge fin-shape of Sheeps Tor in our collective sight.

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How it gladdened the hearts of five winter-weary Beans – who had longed for this moment to emerge together – out into the light.  Old Bean was very pleased with the turnout apparently almost twenty-five percent of his group – plus a dog – and a slow-worm!

We found Brother Slow-worm on a ‘busy’ thoroughfare above Burrator Reservoir – camouflaged by twigs and leaves – and dust, it was lucky we didn’t unintentionally tread on it!

Such a beautiful, gentle creature; who’d emerged to take in the rays too – after the long, wet Winter that was…

Brother Slowworm

Brother Slow-worm; lovingly moved out of harms way.

Along the way, we passed various groups of youngsters training for the Ten Tors – and other people of all ages – exploring and enjoying Dartmoor’s wide open space too.  Being able to experience the Moor on such a fine day – really did make my heart sing like a skylark on the wing.

For me – the first Beanie get-together of 2014 – had been a complete tonic; equally refreshing – was my mug of strong, hot brew served up at the Royal Oak Inn at Meavy. I tend to ‘march’ better on a relatively empty stomach – so just tea for me – coupled with the fortifying strength of the occasional Jakemans en route!  However, the others would probably compare the first walk of the season – to sinking their teeth into a ‘Royal Oak’ bacon and brie baguette; very gratifying until next time…

Sometimes, even with the best of intentions, it always seems that extra effort is required to wake up early on a day off – and get out of a nice, warm comfortable bed – and head-off to the relatively cold, unforgiving Moor – with an hour’s drive just to get to the start point!  I’m so glad I did though;  I couldn’t have spent a more enjoyable Saturday anywhere else, and in such easy-going company.

So remember fellow Beanies – ‘Carpe Diem’!  Old Bean is expecting at least a fifty-percent turnout next time; hibernation has officially ended – and Brother Anguis Fragilis agrees.

Raven Bean

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A tracery of tree roots etched-out by the flow of time...

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Caught on the wire; near Sheepstor, Dartmoor

Caught on the wire; near Sheepstor, Dartmoor.

The Sarawak Window - Saint Leonard's Sheepstor

The Sarawak Window – Saint Leonard’s Church, Sheepstor.

Pushing up the crocuses - Sheepstor churchyard.

Pushing up the Crocuses – Sheepstor churchyard.

He leadeth us through green pastures...

He (Old Bean) leadeth us through green pastures…

And by comparatively still waters - by Dartmoor's standard!

and by comparatively still waters – for Dartmoor!

Stopped in my tracks by a magnificent ancient waymarker.

Stopped in my tracks by a magnificent, ancient waymarker.

Bright eyed and bushy tailed our - doggie companion  the off again - lunch break at The Royal Oak Inn

Waiting for lunch to be served at the Royal Oak Inn, Meavy!

Stone wall in Meavy churchyard

A verdant stone-wall in Meavy churchyard.

Sheeps Tor - Dartmoor

On a clear day…

Sheeps Tor, Dartmoor

Sheeps Tor, Dartmoor.

Bejewelled Drake's Leat

Bejewelled in the sunlight – Drake’s Leat.

Seize the day indeed.

Detail on a headstone in Meavy churchyard.

Carpe diem.

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