Remote, bleak, and thoroughly beautiful! Dartmoor is a large National Park that spreads through much of the county of Devon. On Dartmoor, stone age people used to live around 4,000 years ago – building rudimentary dwellings to protect themselves from the wind and the rain. Basic Celtic buildings situation in the top of hills – so the steepness prevents an enemy attacking unseen and with ease. No Celtic charge can occur uphill and be effective! Holding the peak is a definite advantage. Walking straight up the side – as opposed to following the spiralling path – is hard on the legs – but worth the effort. Walking back-down can be as difficult as walking-up – with its own distinct manner. We were committed to traversing directly up before we fully appreciated the difference. Nevertheless, hundreds climb Haytor every week – with wild Dartmoor ponies wandering around the car-park area. These animals may – or may not – come over for a stroke, but visitors must be careful not to be bitten, head-butted, or kicked, etc. This does not happen very often – but wild animals should be respected. Another issues are yapping dogs (which must be kept on leads). As matters transpired, there was one or two calm and sedate ponies that wanted to be stroked and petted, etc. The general experience is important for children – particularly those from city areas – to re-connect with nature and experience the feeling that the immensity of nature – wide-open spaces – can generate! I last visited probably about 20-years ago with Gee – but our two children not yet born.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 