Exmoor

I have been here before. happy times too. I also have photos of the stone bridge. lovely.

Nothing of interest !! Just rivers, trees, flowers, fungi, sheep, dogs, sky, sun, birds, cows, dogs, scenery AND a pint or two of Rattler !! Just what a fabulous blog is made of ! Great stuff Toto :~)))

A really interesting blog Toto. Some less observant folk just wouldn't have seen half so much. I bet those 'plonkers' missed all those wonderful things you photographed. A great blog. Thank you.

Loved and enjoyed every minute, love those Tarr steps would my wheel chair be able to scoot across, I promise its not a 4X4 lol , fantastic shot of the Herring gull.

Great blog Toto I really enjoyed that camping trip.

What a lovely blog and LOTS of super things to see...thanks for taking us along with you. Those fungi were great too...so many people tend to ignore them - I find them fascinating.

Thanks Toto for taking us with you, loved your blog and photos :o))

Lovely blog had a lovely holiday based in South Molten one year

what a super blog Toto..thanks..so ,you are always in the mood for camping
lol..

Thoroughly enjoyed sharing your camping trip Toto, some great photo's, as usual! One of the joys of GoY...seeing places you otherwise wouldn't.
Thank You.....

Oh - such familiar places, Toto - thanks!

Also thank you for the geranium, specially for me! You really were only a few miles up the road from us - and I love Tarr steps, too. Every time we go there, we see idiots going across in their gas-guzzlers.

Yes - all the farmers seem to have those what-ever-they're called, but they often round up the sheep in the fields miles from anywhere with them, plus their dog, of course!

What a super blog Toto and excellent photos - the one of the herring gull is outstanding! I can feel you had a really good time doing what you enjoy.

wonderfull blog and place toto, lots of nature going on there apart from the idiots in the 4x4, spoiling the peace, love the differant types of fungi you found and pretty plant life, dont blame you for wanting to go back, take a sharpe knife for the 4x4 tyres next time lol

NEXT time, he's meant to be visiting me, Sandra! :-)))))

that would be interesting barbara meeting toto ;o))
lovely for you living near there to barbara,

Lovely blog Toto ..boy you must ve enjoyed escaping from that shed ..it shows in your great photos .

Pity about the other photos an area not too familiar with and would love to see more .Do you not have a programme that compresses your photos before submission like in Picasa ?

Thank you all so much. I hope to be able to attend your next open day Spritz. I love camping Deida but not in one of those tents that are similar to the seven star hotel in Dubai.
I'm not sure about your wheel chair Morgana but I would guess you would be able to make it even if you did need a little help.
I really wish I could have posted some pics of the scenery, the ferns and some of the other plants I saw and photographed but they were all in excess of 4Mb so I couldn't upload them to GOY.

Thank you Toto, if not supose it will have to be by broom he he.

I ve taken many in excess of the 3Mb limit Toto but by editing them in Picasa then clicking export they are all compressed to much smaller Kbs allowing them to be submitted easily.

Brilliant blog Toto, Loved the stone bridge and all the fungi. Just a thought, if you have Picasa you can change the size of your photo's with that, simply by exporting them to a folder in your 'pictures' folder and then you can load them onto GoY!

Thanks Bonkers I will try that.Thanks Ian I do have Picasa and I think Bonkers was saying the same thing. I will have a go.

I think me and BB must have posted at the same time! Lol

What a lovely blog I have never seen black or purple fungi before. Some really nice photos its so nice to see all these smashing places thanks.

Thank you Mavis and Ian. Glad you appreciated it.

Geat Blog Toto, looks like my kind of walking area! love the scenery and all those fantastic and the Bridge and Fungi, no wonder you are going to return again.

Thanks Pansy. Next time I think it maybe Dartmoor but do hope to go to Spritz's garden next time it opens.

Lovely photos :) both Exmoor and Dartmoor (I'm biased here LOL) are beautiful places to visit

Love the Clapper Bridge.
You may find that the plonkers in 4x4's were driving a 'green lane', Toto and most of the maintenance on green lanes is done by volunteers from 4x4 clubs. They do a great job keeping a lot of these byways open and 'walkable' too.
Brilliant fungi photos - you really are talented even if you don't think so.

Thanks Grindle and Wagger. I'm not sure I agree with you Wagger as these routes were around lond before 4 x 4s and justwalking them tends to keep them open as it the responsibility of the local councils. Why do we need the help of people who have no appreciation of their surroundings to keep a path open that was open for hundreds of years before the motor car was invented? I am a bit of a petrol head but there are places which don't intefere with natures beauty which are available for motorised enjoyment. In my area there are disused gravel pits left over from the old brickworks that people with off road vehicles go to and which sre far more challenging than Tarr Steps.
Is there nowhere we can go to get away from motor cars?

The Quantock Hills, Toto - you'll have seen them on the horizon from Exmoor. The rangers have banned the off-roaders from the green lanes as from this year!

Lots of places round here too Toto :))

Very few green lanes are actually open to 'all' traffic and are classified as 'BOAT's', byways open to all traffic. The vast majority of 4x4 owners who use them are responsible people who do not 'tear to pieces' the countryside and contribute greatly to their upkeep, often enabling disabled people access to areas they would be unable to reach by any other means. Far more damage is done to the surface of these byways by horse riders and motorcyclists than the dreaded 4x4's who contribute towards the maintenance and are appreciated by the councils who are responsible for the roads' upkeep. I strongly to being referred to as a 'plonker' by you or anybody else and will legally use my land rover when and where I see fit..
If the rangers are banning off-roaders, Spritz it is because of a local problem of misuse of unauthorised roads or tracks. As it is being tackled locally I don't see an issue with it.

I think it was because the 'lanes' were being used wrongly, as you say. The lanes' surfaces were being eroded, and there's a need to let the grass grow back. I believe they still allow horses, but not motorbikes.

Wagger - don't get worked up - remember that I live near Exmoor and know Tarr Steps very well. I've seen the 4x4s driving there - they 'show off' to their friends by seeing how fast they can get across the river. They're 'boy racers'. The genuine walkers and tourists at this beauty spot can get drenched by them as they whoosh across!

Lovely blog, Toto, great pics! Do you know the old saying "kissing's in fashion when gorse is in bloom"? thats cos it blooms all year round, lol!
Wagger, I DONT think Toto was getting at you personally, so theres no need to take offence. He was merely expressing his point of view as you have just done!

Sorry if I offended you Wagger but I stick by my guns. These footpaths and bridleways were opened many years before the motor car was invented and were never intended for anything other than foot or horse traffic. It would take many people or horses to cause the sort of damage I have seen caused by inappropriate traffic after only one passing. There are plenty of places where people with motor cycles and off road vehicles can practice their skills and enjoy their vehicles without resorting to footpaths and bridleways not built or intended for their use.

While I might not agree with 'greenlaning' I can see others point of view. It is the very nature of these lanes that attracts 4 x 4 users to push their machines to the limits. The lure of the out of the way, isolated beautiful landscapes that attracts them to reach the 'summit'. In the UK as a whole we do not have enough isolated, natural landscapes left and I can understand the call to keep these places unspoilt yet at the same time see that experienced 4 X 4 users would want to also enjoy these places for their pleasure. Not all off roaders race around the countryside belching out diesel fumes and in fact the object of a lot of greenlaners is to get to the destination in the quietest, least intrusive way possible and flying through streams and rivers at max speed is exactly what they try to avoid!

You should see the ones at Tarr Steps, then, Ian! :-((

That's a real shame Spritz as I know from talking to 'real' green laners that, that behaviour is exactly the opposite of what they stand for and aim to achieve. The object (as far as they are concerned) is to keep in total control of their vehicle and tearing around at any speed is the worst way of driving off road.

It's a very wide ford where the 'steps' are. Obviously, as it's on Exmoor, the river can get a lot deeper and run faster, so they 'dare' each other to drive across.

It's a bit like teenagers Spritz, The bad ones get the press and the good ones get penalised for it.

Very true Ian. while walking I encounter a good number of farmers and farmworkers using there vehicles in a very sensible and responsible way and I understand the need for them to use their vehicles to do their job and fully support their right to do so. What I have difficulty in understanding is the need to use these footpaths and bridleways for testing the skill of drivers and the ability of their vehicles when there are far more challenging places, purpose built for that reason.
As for the viewing of the countryside, I can't see that a vehicle is the best way to see it as I would have thought that you would need to devote all your concentration on the driving.
One last question; when travelling along a narrow path just wide enough for the vehicle, where is the walker supposed to go; in the ditch?

I honestly do understand both sides of the argument and don't know what the answer to the dilema is. On the one hand, you have the 4 X 4 owners who do there best to enjoy their hobby to the utmost. (controlling their vehicle in demanding, uncompromising situations, which does require an awsome amount of skill to achieve) and on the other hand you have the obvious damage that is brought to bare on some of this country's finest scenery. Then you have the walkers who are often, as you rightly say, forced into ditches to make way for these massive vehicles. I suppose it's very similar to the arguments and falling outs that have plagued GoY of late. Where do you draw the line regarding blogs etc.
I have just published a blog all about my new motorbike and I am fully aware that it has absolutely nothing to do with gardening but it is what's important in my life right now so I wanted to share it with my friends. I also decided that if there were any complaints about it I would have no problems with deleting it.
I guess this debate could go on forever and a day without finding a solution to please all sides, as I think this is just another situation that doesn't have an answer.

There must be ten times more footpaths than byways so I don't think walkers are exactly short-changed. Many 4x4's on a day out have passengers, both able-bodied and disabled. I'm very relieved to read a 'balanced' comment from Ian.

Toto what a beautiful set of photos....how can anyone not be interested in them....It a wonderful part of the country...I loved the fungi photo,s and the lovely nosey cow at the end........Glad you and your friend had a nice break.....

Thanks Milky, we did have a very nice break. As for the 4 x 4 debate. The ones I saw at Tarr Steps had only one person in each vehicle (and there were at least eight of them). They were definitely not interested in the beautiful scenery or showing anyone else. They were totally absorbed with their own pleasure and that pleasure had nothing to do with the beauty of anywhere. I'd prefer to think of this discussion as a debate rather than an argument and and wish to fall out with no-one, I just want to my point of view across even thogh it is not the view of many others. Wzagger has a perfectly valid point of view albeit different to mine.

I have to agree - our area is rural, and most people seem to drive 4x4s, and use them sensibly and sensitively too. Wagger makes good points and I can accept what she says.

Unfortunately, we've also seen the vehicles at this beautiful and historic spot, which seems to be a magnet for acting selfishly.

Wzagger agrees that the boy racers should be removed from their vehicles and summerarily hanged withouth benifit of trial - along with people who cycle on footpaths, horse riders who use and churn up footpaths and quite a few other categories I could come up with if it wasn't past my bed time. Nite nite all. No offence meant to be given and none taken.

Night night! Happy dreams. :-)))))))

Sorry Wagger, missed you latest comment as had disappeared to the land of nod myself. I must say that I agree with all of what you said. A belated good night to you and Spritz.
Sorry about the typo.

Fabulous blog Toto and the photo`s are outstanding, hope you can downsize your others ,fingers xx...

Outstanding photos Toto and a real 'hot' blog. Did I say outstanding - I meant SERIOUSLY outstanding, I can't wait to see more. ;~)

I am sorry Toto, that I missed your beautiful blog...I think your tent a fabulous accamodation and the pictures of flora and fauna wonderful...I have to say I was taken aback a bit to see the 4X4's splashing along next to the walking path like that..would not see it here...and that surprises me too! You see all sorts of things here!...I suppose being in such a vast country there are many areas that 4X4 drivers go that we never give a second thought to. I have driven a lot of 4X4's but am not an off roader at all..all though if I have to get somewhere..in the snow or mud..they certainly will get me there.
It is good that the 4x4 clubs do work on the trails but it does not look like these folks were working...hopefully they were getting someone to somewhere that they would never see by any other means. Wagger I cannot imagine one such as yourself ever doing anything detrimental to nature...I am sure you would not be one to do racing and such.
Toto, I would be discouraged too, to be out on a peaceful walk such as what you have shown and then to have it assaulted right next to you in this way. They were pushing quite a wave in front of them and I am sure they were going over the speed limit to do that.
I have to say , the farmer and the dogs gave me a good chuckle..

Thank you Cat. The 4 x 4 clubs get together just to enjoy themselves and in principle I have no real objections to that but some of the footpaths and bridleways they use are not suitable for the mixed use of walkers and vehicles. I can understand the needs of farmers and workers needing to use vehicles to perform their daily tasks but the vehicles pictured were owned by members of a club (they had stickers in their windows stating the clubs name) and were being used solely to give enjoyment to their drivers. The walkway you refer to is a bridge and is clasified as an ancient monument as it was built around 800 years ago.

Thank you Muddywalters.

I am amazed 800 years ago..our country is not that old...totally awe inspiring..
Thank you for that info..no doubt built with the help of the work horses of the day. How beautiful is the picture I now have in my mind...

It really is a very special place, Cat. The stone slabs are enormous! How they built it, I can't imagine.

I have seen Belgians, Shires, and Clydsdales in dray horse pull contests here...they have such wonderful hearts and love their work..great team workers..I can imagine them working with great heart to build this bridge.

I suppose it would have been giant logs or carts to pull along, Still a great feat to get it built with no machinery, Cat!

Absolutely Spritz...! It is so amazing and even more beautiful to know it was done so long ago and so well.

When the river floods, Cat - it has been known for large branches to smash into the slabs and dislodge the middle ones! The bridge has been repaired many times.

LOL..I was wondering about that!

The Druids left a booklet of instructions at Stone Henge, Cat. ;-))

Tsk, tsk, Wagger! Cat might believe you! LOL.

Would I lie, Spritz? LOL

I refuse to answer that on the grounds of total pottiness! LOL.

Great pair of pots!!!

Thanksssssssssss.....................................................:-)))

Wagger...reeeeaaalllyyy!!!! lol..that is so wonderful of the Druids to do that! Why we should have some Druids here to leave instructions..knock my head..why I should suggest it!

The stone pages are rather heavy to turn, Cat - and the carved runes are difficult to translate - but Wagger will be delighted to read the book to you -(won't you, Wagger!) ;-)))

Oh Yes Wagger..please do!

Ok, here we go.  gotdy vp;;rvy s;; upit dypmrd omyp [o;rd pm rsvj dofr pg yjr tobrt/ Lrr[ yjr ;sthr d;snd yp pmr dofr/ Frvofr jpe msnu portd upi esmy smf dysty yp nio;f yjr gotdy yep/

That's the first page - shall I go on?

Sorry - a mis-translation there - the square character and the / are the only verified symbols, I'm afraid. :-(((

Try a few more of the verified ones - O / ^> +0] [ Z or, of course, write it in 'Ogham'?? Do you speak that?

Only a tiny bit - as seen on Time Team, lol.

Well..now I am sure the Druids would have said..hook up your biggest Belgian teams to their harnesses and tell them to Haw...As to now-a-days..Do the 4X4 clubs hook up their PTO's and drag the stones back in place or do they get cranes and such to do the work?

No idea, Cat - I've just seen photos in the local paper of the aftermath of floods. The lanes are very small there - they'd find it difficult to get cranes down there.

Sadly, I can't imagine the 4x4s helping!