Sunday December 31st

 Shining Tor and Thursbitch

Our last walk of 2023 was not very ambitious on account of the weather. We went up to Shining Tor as usual- battling into the wind; the cloud was low and just grazing the top of Shining Tor.
Shining Tor with its head in the clouds

After a very short break at the top, instead of just reversing the walk, we went down into the valley and visited Thursbitch for the first time this year.

Clouds blowing in from Shining Tor towards Cats Tor
The ruins of Thursbitch

We saw no one except for some (hopeful) sheep who wrongly assumed that we might be bearing food.

Optimistic sheep

Persistently optimistic sheep

The only downside to this really nice walk is the somewhat boring plod up the road from the end of the drive to Howlersknowl up to the car park at Pym Chair and the welcome sight of the car. It was then home for lunch. 

An occasionally cold and occasionally wet outing of 4.6 miles with 320m ascent but well worth doing nonetheless.


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