Dartmoor. August, 22nd. 2020.
Hi, I am Melanie; a Dartmoor wayfarer.
The idea of creating a blog, is to connect with kindred spirits through the medium of my writing and my photography.. .
Occasionally, I walk with a group called, ‘The Beanies’ – wherein my prefix name is ‘Raven’ Bean, because I get excited whenever I see – or hear Corvus corax, the Common Raven; the Raven is my spiritual bird. It is always such a thrill to encounter one of these elusive, intelligent birds——or even to find without looking, a black feather. After several years walking in Dartmoor’s wilderness —— I have gathered quite a collection of Corvus corax ‘calling cards’. I keep them as mementos in a pot beside my computer——like writing quills —— where they quietly evoke thoughts and memories of my walks and experiences out on the Moor. . .
Getting a-weathering at Lints Tor (left) —— and The Thurlestone at Watern Tor (right) 2021.
My photographs can be enlarged by simply clicking on them. . .
The Ancient Raven Stone – Dartmoor.
“Cronk Cronk” – Raven in Burrator Wood
Raven in Ravens’ Haven – Dartmoor. 2nd. May 2017
The Internet is infinitely more vast than Dartmoor – so by whatever miracle – or link you have stumbled upon, that has brought you here —— I hope you enjoy Something About Dartmoor.
And Something About The Brontë Sisters too. . .
Seated at home, at my computer, where I do most of my Brontë research; shedding light on the true ‘lost’ portrait of Emily Brontë.
In some shape, form or other, I carry this small portrait with me on all my walks nowadays; it’s impossible for me to forget her. A facsimile of the true ‘lost’ portrait of Emily Brontë inside Dartmoor’s remotest Tor.
The Real Deal.
21st July 2024 Rock Park, Barnstaple – “You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one.” John Lennon
What a beautiful , unique blog~ am I able to receive your posts if I ticked the box which says notify me of new posts? Would love to subscribe to your blog. Thank you.
Hello and Thank you! Yes – just tick the boxes to subscribe. Your lovely comment had gone into spam – unfortunately others get lost in there but I’m very pleased that I recovered yours. Welcome to Something about Dartmoor!
Hi there, I love the blog and will found the piece about Hawthorns very interesting. Me & Emma love to walk on the moor and come across those lone stragglers, clinging to the windswept hillsides like the last of the Sunday morning drunks staggering home! I always wondered why the odd tree defies the weather and soil when all others fail, and never realised there was a possible connection with ley lines and energy. So thanks and I will bookmark your blog to return again and again.
So pleased to know that you both enjoy my Dartmoor blog – we pass your place quite often on our way back home after our walks…we might just stop by and say hello and maybe order some chips etc!!!
What a find!
What a comment! Thank you X
Thank you Melanie,
I grew up in Devon and around Dartmoor in the 60’s and 70’s but I set off on a wonderful adventure that has taken me to far flung corners of the world. Now 40 years later I feel a longing to be back on Dartmoor. I can’t explain why that is.
Tonight I’m sitting in what many would regard as a tropical paradise and yet I somehow yearn for the powerful energy of Dartmoor.
Quite how I found your blog and why I sent you a message I can’t explain. Perhaps just to feel a connection somehow with the place from which I came. Next time you gaze out over that magical landscape please pause for a moment and realise how blessed you are to be there. Best wishes and thanks for your words and pictures.
Hello Peter – and Welcome. I’m a child of the sixties and seventies too – we have that in common as well as a love of the same magical landscape – Dartmoor. My most recent posts have been a bit off topic – about my obsession with the Art of the Brontes – but your message today has reminded me to get back up on the Moor again – as if a calling. I may just go tomorrow if the weather looks okay-ish…so watch this space! Thanks for the timely prompt. X
I too am obsessed with ravens, truly magical beings in plain sight of the modern world…x
So beautifully put, “Truly magical beings in plain sight of the modern world…” you are poetry to my ears on this lockdown Sunday morning, dear EmilyInGondal! X
Fellow Raven-lover, next time you visit – check-out these Raven related posts about Shed Hunting titled ‘Gateway to Legends’ and ‘Quest’.
What a treat to read this blog post and see your wonderful photographs; how amazing it must be to see ravens on the wild heights of Dartmoor! They seem like such timeless birds to me – we live in Cornwall and often walk in Idless Woods, where there’s an Iron-Age hill fort (round as a raven’s eye from the air) and I once saw a pair of ravens flying overhead, looking totally at home and timeless…I hope you have many more encounters with them!
A Happy ‘Cronking’ New Year Ellie!!!
How timeful to receive your wonderful comments TODAY on the 2nd day of 2022! – and from Kernow too, the land of my birth! Thank you very much – or in Raven speak ‘Cronk Cronk’!
And to you to! Bledhen nowydh da! X
(or indeed…cronk cronk!)
I love your blog and would love you as a guest on my new podcast. Will message you on Instagram. best wishes Claire
Dear Claire,
thank you so much for your wonderful compliment.
I don’t want to disappoint you BUT I’m really much too retiring to do a podcast – and besides, my blog and Instagram is quite enough; as it is I struggle to keep up with both. Just about to check my Instagram messages…X