Prehistoric Walk!

Well the walk was fabulous! Led by Dr Tom Greeves a cultural environmentalist! He was the perfect guide, with such a love for archaeology one couldn’t help but love it with him! Even if the subject had not been interesting he would have made it so – such a wonderfully warm and gentle voice, as he spoke about the lives of the people who once lived on the moors with  humour, passion and knowledge. He led us for over 5 hours around the wonders of Wigford Down – pointing out the stone and earth 'ramparts' of the Dewerstone ( a prehistoric 'hillfort', possibly of neolithic origin ) a “cist” – an ancient burial chamber,  prehistoric hut circles, ancient fields and the boundary path that led way into the distance and served a purpose but no one is fully sure of its true significance, but a monumental task to build.  Some remarkable medieval longhouses, boundstones, a magnificent prehistoric hut circle and a complex of tinners' reservoirs and leats feeding a huge medieval tin openwork. What I would have passed as just lumps of granite turned out to be all this! He does these guided walks for a week every May – when the bracken has not grown to cover and hide these wonders.
Perhaps my favourite was the “pond” which he surmised was of symbolic significance and the site of ancient worship and practices – their reflections seeming to be a portal to another world.
 The wind was phenomenal and at times I could barely stand, and taking photographs at times was impossible as I could not keep the camera steady! The group of 16 had come from far and wide, and only a few were locals, they were a fervent and knowledgeable group, with stout walking boots and sticks! But they did admire my stylish Isle Jacobsen jacket and boots!!! We picnicked out of the wind looking down into a verdant green valley covered in tress showing their fresh, new colours. I had a Higgledy Piggledy beetroot and feta pie – can’t remember the last time I had a picnic! Camera man had brought a flask of coffee and abandoned his sandwiches for half my pie! 
On the way home we stopped at tavistock - had a browse round the antique market - I bought another  glass head, clear this time, and camera man the Philip Tracey hat it was wearing! Then espresso and baklava at the patisserie! Perfect way to finish the day!
All the historic bits/pics  here!