Just back from my latest StoryWalk – a Lammas week Up the River Dart in the good company of a Wild Fisherman, a Storyteller, a Geologist, a Mover, A Czech Overtoner, and a beautiful Chinese walker, a playful French mademoiselle, and a Geisha and her family.
Starting out at Sugary Cove, photo Annie Ley Marie
Click the Mixcloud link to the right to hear my radio show about the Dart, and the tale of our adventures.
We set out from Dartmouth,after a swim at Sugary Cove.
Swimming at the mouth of the Dart, photo Steph Bradley
the mouth of the Dart, seen from Bayards Castle. Photo by Helen Raphael Sands
We crossed over to Kinsgwear by the lower ferry
the Dart estuary seen from Kingswear, Photo by Helen Raphael Sands
and walked to Greenway then took a boat.
The Dart from Greenway, photo Steph Bradley
We threw rose petals in to the water at Vire Island.
Brutus Bridge, photo Steph Bradley
with a mosaic artist, and acquired a new pilgrim there who helped us with our camp.
Vire Island, photo Steph Bradley
We boarded the steam train at Staverton and followed the river along to Buckfastleigh.
at Staverton waiting for the steam train, Photo Helen Raphael Sands
We walked between the river
(Buckfast Weir photo: Steph Bradley)
and the abbey at Buckfast.
Buckfast Abbey, photo Steph Bradley
We walked through Henbury woods
photo: Steph Bradley
and saw the first modern day archimedes screw in England, at the River Dart Country Park.
Archimedes Screw at River Dart Country Park, photo Helen Raphael Sands
We camped at Summerhill.
We walked through Holne Chase Ancient Woodlands
photo: Steph Bradley
and found bilberries, the traditional food to eat at Lammas.
photo: Steph Bradley
We walked along the river’s gorge and then had to climb its steep sides to get out.
Before a very steep climb. Photo: Helen Raphael Sands
We ate Rabbit Pie at the Forest Inn then learnt how to make a fishing rod.
We stayed at Huccaby Farm and heard the tale of Tobit at St Raphael’s chapel.
St Raphael's Chapel, Huccaby, photo Helen Raphael Sands
We saw Dartmeet and walked on across moorland to Beardown Farm , stopping for drinks at Prince Hall Hotel of the privileged view.
View from Prince Hall Hotel. Photo Helen Raphael Sands
Young lovers walk into the sunset at Two Bridges nearing Beardown Farm. Photo Helen Raphael Sands
We walked through Wystman’s woods to the source of the West Dart and back again.
Wystmans Woods
stepping stones across the West Dart
The river got very thin. Photo Helen Raphael Sands.
at the source
returning from the source
Looking back on the sinuous West Dart as it winds it way across Dartmoor from its source. Photo Steph Bradley
There were shooting stars in the skies as we camped that night by the river and told our story.
“Like when God throws a star
and everyone looks up
to see that whip of sparks
and then it’s gone” *
Next year we’re doing it all over again! Come join us!
Next month we are walking to the source of the East Dart. Watch for updates!
It’s all very exciting! My first long walk since I came back from 6 months walking the country in my trusty red Brazilian flip flops collecting stories of a people in transition …
Next Thursday, the 8th August a group of us will be setting out from Dartmouth Castle to walk up the river Dart from the sea to it s source high up on Dartmoor.
We will be walking to Greenway, once home of Agatha Christie, catching the ferry to Totnes, setting out again next morning to Staverton where we will board the steam train to Buckfastleigh. Then we will be on foot the rest of the way, through Holne Chase ancient woodland, past New Bridge, up to Dartmeet, off up to Two Bridges, through Wistman’s Woods, and all the way in to the military land in the centre of the moor to find the source of the West Dart.
Later in the autumn we will return to walk to the source of the East Dart and see its waterfall along the way.
The good news? You can join in ! For as little as a day to the whole 5 day walk, and however little or far as you walk with us you will get to go along to the creative day at Jan O’Highway’s studio on the 13th and get creative.
All art work made inspired by the walk will be exhibited at communities venues up and down the river through autumn to the next spring…when we will be preparing to do it all again!
There will be workshops running every day throughout the walk which you can join in. Download the programme of workshops here : Workshop Programme Up the Dart 2013. Get the itinerary here: up the dart programme final For meeting points email transitiontales@googlemail.com.
Storytelling, wild fishing, foraging, singing, play the Transition game..take your pick or do them all!
