Day Two: Button to Hartford

The first night of camping is usually restless, as one acclimatises to the change of environment. Sleeping bag instead of duvet, air bed instead of mattress, but above all the sound of the outside world feels so much nearer. So I was pleased and surprised to get quite a solid sleep, waking briefly at 11.30 and being aware of rain on the tent in the dark of the night 

Woke just before six, lying in a warm sleeping bag and being surrounded by a loud dawn chorus. Bliss

I am on limited water, so no cup of tea today. The oats that have been soaking overnight are heated up and it's a breakfast of porridge with sultanas. Breakfast in bed, but not quite as we normally know it

I hear Chris waking and moving, giving me a cheery 'good morning' to check that I am awake 

When I finally unzip the door just before 7am I see that a wonderful day is in prospect

Time to break camp

It's a sunny and cool morning. The night rain has cleared the air and the world feels new and fresh

These clapper bridges, as they are known, are a feature of this area. Such a simple solution to crossing the river

If I had one complaint about yesterday's walk it would be an excess of tarmac. Today we have the softest and springiest turf beneath our feet, nibbled to perfection by the local Dartmoor ponies. We almost float up the hillside towards the moorland top

A strong candidate for Tree of the Day. This blackthorn was covered in Old Man's Beard, and looked spectacular 

Once we had got high enough above the farmed land I am able to refill my water supplies

A wild Dartmoor pony, hard at work on path maintenance 

When we reach the top of the moor we are exposed to a biting wind, gusting at 40mph or so

At Avon Dam Reservoir we stop to dry off our tents, and brew cups of tea. When out of the howling wind the warm sunshine is quite delightful

We now follow the river Avon, not the Avon of gorge fame, for four miles or so to the village of South Brent

Bluebells abound, their distinctive scent just detectable on the cold air

South Brent is a delightful village of old cottages painted in pastel colours. A random stranger recommends the Station Cafe, and directs us there. A good choice as we relax with tea and cake, whilst a passing hail shower occurs outside 

Great Easter display. Love the carrot-mobile

A random cascade on the river Avon. If this were in N Yorkshire it would be called Lydia Force and being a major tourist attraction 

Our next destination is Ugborough Beacon

It takes longer than expected to reach it, but we finally arrive. The air is wonderfully clear, if cold and very windy. 

We now descend, and everything gets warmer. Though not warm enough to get the lambs to leave their shelter and gambol 

Our campsite at Harford camping field. We have the whole place to ourselves and pitch our tents, in the most lush grass, in the shelter of a field wall

The campsite offers an old barn that offers shelter and furniture. We brew tea and then cook for the evening. I am having a rehydrated orzo and bolognese

I also have a shower, freshen up, wash my smelly t-shirt, and rig up a clothes washing in the barn

Then it's a two mile walk down the road to the pub in Ivybridge 

It's raining, but we get a fabulous double rainbow 

Into The Imperial for beer and cards. Chris teaches me the basics of Bezique

And then it's a two mile walk back up the hill, in the dark, to bed

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