I went down to Devon for Easter and packed my hiking boots, looking forward to getting back out on Dartmoor. I'd been wanting to go to Wistman's Wood for ages, but we could never find it while driving around. I finally worked out where it was and there was a good walk around there so Mum, Dad and I packed sandwiches, drove to the trail head, found a parking spot (eventually), and set off.
Wistman's Wood is an ancient wood on Dartmoor, the remnants of woods that used to grow all over the moors and which early humans (as in 5000BC!) cut down. The oldest tree currently there is thought to be about 400-500 years old but it's hard to tell because there are giant boulders in between the trees so you can't really enter the woods. Or at least, people shouldn't in order to preserve the flora!
It's a nice walk to the wood, and the wood itself is beautiful.....
We continued on from the wood on the rest of our walk, which took us up to a tor, then along the ridge at the top and back down again.
We did, however, spot something in the grass that wasn't supposed to be there. Dad pointed it out... an adder, not looking particularly happy at our presence! Adders are one of two English snakes that are dangerous, though nothing like Aussie snakes (we do dangerous wildlife best!). It was coiled up in the grass, and we made a detour around it.
Excitement over, it was time to go back to the car. We unpacked our sandwiches and my parents got out their folding chairs. I sat on a dry stone wall and we had lunch. It was just lovely weather to be out in. And I'd made my favourite sandwiches - butter (real butter), saucisson (French cured sausage) and cornichons (little gherkins). I had it in France ages ago and it's just delicious. You'll thank me later.
We drove home via the Warren House Inn, a lovely old pub in a remote spot in Dartmoor, and had a drink. It was busy, everyone sitting on tables outside in the sunshine. I don't blame them either, it was so nice!