Entries about national trust

Despite the strong wind really buffeting the van last night, I slept really well. I didn't even hear David get up in the night.

When I look out of the window of the van this morning, I see a herd of cows. They edge nearer and just stop and stare. Like cows do.

The immediate area around the van also sports a number of pheasants, a deer, a horse and foal and in the distance I can hear a cuckoo. Heaven.

Burrator Reservoir

We stop for a quick stroll at the reservoir dam before continuing on our way this morning.

Later we pass through Princetown and Postbridge as we drive across Dartmoor.

Desolate scenery on the moors

Wild ponies

Dartmoor Prison near Princetown

I really want to stay out another night in Thor, but we have run out of water, and although we could fill her up at Exeter service station where we stop for lunch, we decide to head for home.

Blackbury Camp

On the way we make a small detour to Blackbury camp, a 4th century BC hillfort.

What an amazing place! Noting is left of the original fort itself, just the mounts and the outline, but with my vivid imagination I soon fill the place with people, peasants, livestock, merchants, produce and living quarters. I also speculate who, if anyone, they were protecting their wealth and lives from. I try to imagine myself in their shoes at that time.

The area inside the fort is now a beautiful wooded glade, with stippled sunshine reaching the grassy plains and rampart mounds carpeted with bluebells. I walk around the area a couple of times – first just to take it all in and later with a couple of cameras in hand.

Just as I arrive back at the parking lot, I see two ladies arrive with three lively dogs. Too busy trying to control the dogs, the driver forgets to apply the handbrake, and I gasp as I see the vehicle rolling uncontrollably towards the deep moat. I breathe a sigh of relief when disaster is averted by a strategically placed wooden post. Phew.

Our last stop is again on the Mendips for a final cup of coffee, this time near Velvet Bottom.

Arriving back home we reflect on Thor's Maiden Voyage and I am pleased to say that I absolutely loved it; much more than I thought I would. David is still feeling a little apprehensive about driving such a huge vehicle, but we both thoroughly enjoyed the wild camping and the self-sufficiency.

Roll on many more adventures in Thor.