Yesterday was one of those days..... One of those days when everything seemed to come together to make a perfect day for getting out on the bike and experiencing the joys of two wheeled non motorized travel.....
The winds were very light at about 4 to 6 mph..... The sky was perfect without a cloud in the sky and although it was chilly first thing - by 1100hrs it was warm enough for me to not have to wear full winter cycling gear.... I am still wearing cycling fingerless mitts and not having to wear full cycling gloves yet...
It was one of those days that reminds me of some of the reasons why this is the third time we have decided to spend the winter down here on Dartmoor....
Yes the weather can be harsh on the moor sometimes but then that can make for a bit of a wild walking trip which both Anne and I really enjoy....
However on other days it can all come together to make perfect cycling weather and yesterday was one of those days....
You can see how good the weather was in the image below.......
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| Perfect weather for a bike ride.... |
I have always been interested in standing stones and crosses and Dartmoor has more than it's fair share of these.....
When I was posting images on a regular basis on my photo blog 'Aura of Past Shadows' (AOPS) standing stones and crosses were a regular subject but over the past few years I have not been so active in taking serious shots just relying on snaps (although NO dreaded selfies) for the Purpletraveller blog.....
I have been considering getting back to doing some more serious B&W photography and again start regular posts on the AOPS....
My problem is finding the time with everything else that seems to fill up my retirement :-) but if I do decide to re-start AOPS and dig out my Fuji X-Pro1 I will let you know,,,,,,
Anyway... In the meantime a bit of information about the cross in the above image....
This cross can be located at Grid Reference SX/530/711 or
-4.07504/50.52190 (approx) Longitude/Latitude(+/-)
It is at the junction on the north west corner of Huckworthy Common...
The cross is a Waymarker to the church at Sampford Spiney.
It stands at 6 feet 3 inches (1.90 metres) tall and 1 foot 7 inches (0.50 metres) across the cross arms....
It would seem that in times gone by Travellers from Plympton Priory on route to Tavistock Abbey would pass this cross if they wished to stop off at Sampford Spiney.
The Manor of Sampford Spiney formed part of the lands that belonged to Plympton Priory and would therefore need to be visited from time to time by the monks of the Priory...
This basic and solid cross is still in fairly good condition although there is some slight damage to the North Eastern face of the arms. Both arms have had pieces knocked off which has the effect of shortening the already short arms even more....
8 comments:
Devoting time to hobbies etc. in retirement is always difficult I find but there again it means that your days are full.
It is a beautiful area around Tavistock and the Moor has so much to offer. I will add it to my list for next year.
*Dave*
I think the area around Tavistock and the Moor is a wonderful location and I find things like the crosses and standing stones of real interest.... Mind you it's not to everyone's taste... Earlier this year before we started our touring season we had some friends visit us here on the site and my mate's other half declared that she didn't like the area at all... I think that she found the moor too bleak and far removed from modern life and culture which are the very reasons why Anne and I like it so much....
Love the photo of the Waymarker and your very nice bike.
*David J*
Thanks David...The bike is now eight years old and it's my winter/training bike. I have ridden it in twelve countries including over the Swiss/Italian Alps but I always enjoy a ride around the roads and lanes of Dartmoor.
Finally catching up with your blog. And what's up with selfies Mr Woodford they just go to show that you don't have friends to take the photo for you. Lol.
Ha..ha...
I see them as a disease of social media.It just says 'look at me'.
I don't think people drop by at purpletraveller to see an image of me..I look pretty much the same as my profile image so no point in posting it again. I think visitors to the blog are more interested in my comments and experiences about cycling,camping, caravanning, backpacking and places etc.. Just my opinion of course.
These kind of disappointments are part of life, live happily, try again and enjoy the moments.
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