Only four of us out on my run to North Bovey, and no doubt many of my “friends” would say “What do you expect when you’re down to lead?”. But I claim that it was because of the snow and the threat of more.

For a change from our usual Teigngrace route to Bovey we went via Chudleigh Knighton common and then, after a short spell on the main Moreton road, took to the lanes to Lustleigh. After admiring the Wreyland Manor area of Lustleigh, the steep hill towards the Leave area involved plenty of “two steps forward and one back” in the couple of inches of snow.

Not bad going to North Bovey, and I had thought of Tim Reep’s warm kitchen as a lunch spot, but Yard Farm looked deserted and a neighbour exercising his dog confirmed that Tim and his wife emigrated to New Zealand a few months ago, but at least we had the comfort of the neighbour’s hay store for lunch purposes. I was quite surprised a couple of nights later when Spotlight South West had an interview with some recent emigrees from Devon to New Zealand who make beautiful rocking horses – yes, right first time!

The lane from Yard towards Canna Park was a bit dodgy in places, but the more major road past Hound Tor had been cleared most of the way. A heavy snow shower of the hard, stinging variety made life uncomfortable for a while, but the open moor looked grand and there were an amazing number of people getting in winter sports practice.

(Colin Brierly)

[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]