Latest Articles

Stunning Dartmoor

Posted in Walking on Sep 03, 2010 at 11:20 AM by John

What a fantastic show of summer/autumn colours up here on the high moor. In the 17 years I've lived here I dont think its ever looked so fantastic. The hillsides are cover in the bright yellow of the western gorze mixed with the brilliant purple of the ling heather,  making a fantastic display of colour.

Weather conditions been just right i guess and less management of the gorze - should we just leave alone or should we manage, what do you think?

What a Buzz!!!

Posted in Powder Mills on Aug 10, 2010 at 4:29 PM by Sam

Its been quite an exciting couple of months up at Powdermills with the arrival of around 10,000 honey bees and last week i managed to get up close and personal with them for the first time. So i suited myself up in all the gear and headed down to the hive with Di the Bees owner, and we went to shut in the queen bee so she cant lay eggs in the super( The top part of the Hive) on the honeycombs where the delicious Dartmoor honey will be produced else the larve would feed on the honey. I Have to admit I was a little apprehensive thinking 10,000 bees where going to attack me but Di was very reassuring and very calm with the bees and they seemed to bee-have(sorry) themselves very well, The bees should start producing honey pretty soon now although the weather hasnt been on our side the last couple of weeks the bees, as we all do like to stay inside when the weather is foul. So hopefully the weather will pick up and the bees can go out working and making honey, and as the heather is just starting to flower the honey should be delicious, i will keep you posted!!!!

Pictures at Last

Posted in Pixie Post on Aug 10, 2010 at 1:46 PM by Steve

I have finally got around to adding a few pictures to this blog. You know how it is, keep meaning to do something but never actually getting around to it. Well I thought I would amend that today. Managed to take my camera out with me last week whilst supervising a Gold Duke of Edinburgh's expedition. In between the thick fog and rain I did manage to get some views. Thought I would print them in black and white to try and make up for the dull lighting and to give the pictures more effect. With most cameras being digital today you tend to forget how good a medium black and white is. Gone are the days where I would develop my own pictures in a home made dark room in a spare bedroom. Would spend a good few hours to get a few good prints, hand developing them, and then feeling rather pleased with myself with the final result. Nowadays it can all be done on a laptop in the daylight in a matter of minutes. Convenient though it is, not sure if it is as rewarding.

Well before I start getting all dewy eyed and nostalgic about the good old days, digital cameras have certainly made photography easier. Usually drag my heals when it comes to change, but not having to carry reels of film for different lighting is a real bonus. The ability to quickly look at your picture shortly after taking it means you are more than likely going to get the picture you want the majority of the time. No more waiting to gets prints devilered only to find that nearly half aren't as good as you thought.

At the Lydford Flower Show this Saturday there is a local photo competition, so I have decided to enter. Not sure how I will fare, but with only bragging rights at stake what is there to lose. Look out next week to see how I got on.

Nothing Changes!!!

Posted in Pixie Post on Jul 20, 2010 at 3:47 PM by Steve

The weather had to break at some at point, and it certainly did in style. For the last three years I have been going to the Ogwen Valley in North Wales to work with a school from Devon. we usually spend a week camped below the shadow of Tryfan. We always have the intention of walking the summits and having fantastic and memorable mountain days. Well they have always been memorable as the weather is usually so foul!!

For the past couple of years the school has camped, but after last years storm when we broke camp the decision was made to use the bunkhouse. With such a fine start to the summer it seemed typical that it would be a fine week especially since we had now decided to use the bunkhouse facility. As it turned out it was a wise choice. With forecasts predicting high winds and on occasions thunder it meant that we were even unable to make our regular ascent of Snowdon.

We got out onto the hills each day though and did manage a fantastic walk across the Nantle Ridge just before the rain poured on our descent. On the evening before we were due to leave we had a relatively windy but mostly dry spell. I took this opportunity to take my tent down whilst it was dry and decided to spend the last night sleeping in my car. (Another fine choice I might add). That night the Ogwen Valley was hit by high winds and torrential rain, even felt like my car was going to take off at some point. With the storm still in full swing in the morning I had the luxury of lying in my sleeping bag listening to the weather forecast knowing I didn't have to wrestle with the elements to get my tent down!!

When I made a dash to the showers that morning (in the hope they would be tepid or even warm for once) they were already occupied. Well not in use as such, but two students had taken up residency there after thier tent had been flattened during the night. They told me they were four weeks into a six week trip to map the Ogwen Valley and surrounding area as part of their final Universtity studies. (Couldn't see why they just didn't buy an OS map!!) They had already lost one tent to the elements and were running out of dry clothes. They even informed me that the showers were still cold. With my cheery "things can only get better and worst things happen at sea you know" speach, I left them to it. Don't think they saw the "brighter side of life". Can''t blame them really!!

Well at least it still rains on Dartmoor!!

Nothing changes!! One day we may well get our deserved week of sunny weather in North Wales (and England might one day win the world cup!!!!).

"On Your Bike!!"

Posted in Pixie Post on Jun 22, 2010 at 11:07 AM by Steve

Thought I would make the most of the stunning weather and the fact that I was working in the office today. So with no kit to carry and no groups to meet I woke before the sparrows and squeezed into my Lycra. Took me a while to find my cycle clips but managed to be on the road before 06:30 (Sparrows don't get up that early here). Cycling through the lanes I could not remember the last time it was this warm so early in the morning. The views across the moor were stunning, skylarks were already singing in flight and the cattle were ambling around the road. Could even here the distinctive repeated "chip-per, chip-per" call of Snipe in the air. Had some scatty sheep dart across in front me, but managed to avoid an embarrassing collision! 

My legs were certainly tired this morning and the long climb from Dousland to the top of Peak Hill seemed harder work than usual. The spiteful little climb from the Devils' Elbow to Princetown got the calves pumping, but from then on it is a relatively gently undulating ride to the Powdermills.

Made it to the Powdermills before 07:30 having now started the day with a fantastic ride ( took me a little longer than usual I might add!!!). The journey home is great as it is nearly all down hill, makes the effort worth while!!

Trouble is now, with all this exercise so early in the morning I don't think my lunch will last past 10:30!!

Wild Night Out

Posted in Pixie Post on Jun 11, 2010 at 2:38 PM by Steve

Have just returned from a "Wild Night Out" and no! that doesn't mean a drink fuelled, rowdy, kebab eating, disco dancing evening in the big city. I save that for the weekends, got to wear my flares and medallion at some point.

Our "Wild Nights Out" here on Dartmoor are with Young Spirit. This invovles taking up to thirty primary school children on an experience that is unique, challenging and most of all fun. We first meet them and build rucksacks from sticks and string and then walk to their overnight woodland camp. They then depending on the weather either construct their shelters or erect tipis. Once this is completed they then carve wooden spoons that they will eat with, build cooking fires to bake their hand made pizzas on and go on a nature trek. Fortunately due to all the smoke lingering around the woodland the midges in the evening didn't seem to want to feast on us. Probably too busy coughing up in the undergrowth. Certainly by the end of the experience there were some pretty tired children going home (as well as instructors).

I think the instructors enjoy all this as much as the children do. I know that by the end of the day I had inhaled enough wood smoke to cure a crate of kippers!!   

Photography Weekend

Posted in Activity Fun! on May 21, 2010 at 2:03 PM by John

What a fantastic Photography course we all had! the weekend put together by Carolyn and Ian from Barnabas Guest House in sunny Yelverton,  www.barnabas-house.co.uk with friend and photographer,  Richard Gearey, on hand with just the right degree of expert advice. I had the easy bit, showing the group some of my favorite picture spots on Dartmoor. The weather was a little grey, but made up by lovely light greens of the trees and the sparkling river giving us plenty of photo oportunities. The following day out on the open moor and enjoying the granite shapes and stunning landscapes, with the ponies managing to sneak into lots of the pictures. Then back to the Guest house for one of Carolyn and Ian's fantastic dinners as the days work ws discussed and viewed. A lovely weekend and great company. There is another one later in the year if you fancy an informal chance to improve your picture taking.  http://www.spirit-of-adventure.com/holidays/category/uk_short_breaks/photography_weekend

Back again!!!

Posted in Pixie Post on May 12, 2010 at 3:17 PM by Steve

Can't believe how long it has been since I have last posted something. Not sure where the time is going but it is certainly racing by. Since my last Pixie Post I have been to the Plymouth Pavillions Outdoor Show, worked for a week in the New Forest, camped down near Dartmouth with some school groups, worked in North Wales for a week, taken photos at a wedding, wrestled a Polar Bear, cycled from Ilfracombe to Saltram House, have been sea kayaking and spent the last weekend with the Dartmoor Rescue Team at the annual Ten Tors event. Thats a pretty busy Spring with the next couple of weeks being just as mad.

The cycle from Ilfracombe to Saltram House was with Marie Curie and was a great success. It involved cycling around 70 participants, 50 miles a day for two days with a camp overnight at Sheepwash near Hatherleigh. Plenty of aching limbs at the finish. Mind you, can't say mine felt all that fresh at the end!! 

The annual Ten Tors event was another success for all those participating. The chilly northerly air flow kept the temperature down and meant that for the best part of the weekend the wind was behind them. Pretty boring for our Rescue Team though as we only really had to sort one incident out. Of which I wasn't involved. Otherwise it was just spent drinking copious amounts of tea watching DVDs of the "Office" (which I had not seen before). It was probably the earliest finish with the team I can remember.

John was out and about over the weekend guiding on our Photographic Weekend. He visited some great locations and with the visibilty due to the cold front had some great views.

We now have swallows darting all over the place making plans to nest. The Cuckoos have been around now for a couple of weeks and I have recently seen Wheatears on the moor as well as some Swifts. Not sure if I would leave sunny Africa with the temperatures like they are here at the moment!!

Quote of the weekend "If I was a Sniper thats where I would be!!!" (for those who have seen the Office). Well that's pretty much it for now. And by the way I hadn't actually wrestled a Polar Bear!!!!!

Coast to Coast Bike Ride

Posted in Further A-field Activities on Apr 29, 2010 at 12:05 PM by John

This weekend sees us all off the moor! We are hosting a Devon coast to coast, sponsored bike ride on behalf of Marie Curie Cancer Research. Weather not looking to bad, for the 75 or so riders who are making the 120 mile trip from Ilfacombe to Plymouth. Our biggest logistic is getting 45 bikes back to Ilfacombe on the sunday night!! It would be nice if you checked them out on this link http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/events/cycling/devon-coast-ride/

The Moors are on fire!!!!!

Posted in Powder Mills on Mar 12, 2010 at 9:51 AM by Sam

As some of you may know looking across the moors this time of the year you will often see plumes of smoke billowing from the dry goarse and dead grass. The reasoning behind this is to stop the goarse taking over the moors and to burn off the dead grass and heather to encourage fresh growth.

It may look like it is quite destructive but give it month and where you see burnt grass now you will see the lush new green shoots peeping up. Swayling is the term for this and it is a method used all over the world for the same reasons.

Although the swayling is usually controlled by the national park and the farmers in specific places where fire breaks have been put in place to control the area which is burnt, with the moors as dry as they are at the moment and the strong winds combined even a cigarette butt can light up the moors which can quickly get out of control and the fire brigade will have to be called.

The other night me and my friends where called into action by the fire service near Princetown to give them a lift in our Landrovers to get to a remote place where a fire was burning which was quite good fun for us but the seriousness of the fire was still in the back of our minds, when we arrived at the fire it was not as bad as we thought so a well placed stamp here and there soon extinguished the fire.

The fire service where grateful for the help but annoyed that soo many fires have been set alight in the last 2 weeks as they have not been informed they were going to be started so they could not monitor them closely and keep them under control, which leads them to believe the fires have been started illegally as it is an offence to set fire to the moors without permission and you may be prosecuted.

So all in all for me when i see the swayling starting on the moors it usually means spring is on its way and with the recent dry and sunny weather although cold it is a good omen for the summer ahead fingers crossed!!!

Sunny Weekend

Posted in Pixie Post on Mar 05, 2010 at 10:23 AM by Steve

It might still be a little frosty this morning but it is an absolutely stunning day. Only a very slight breeze, hardly a cloud and a deep blue sky. The finches and tits (no giggling) outside our window are pretty active this morning. Lots of squabbles and antics of all descriptions from the feathery little birds.

Working with a school all weekend training their Duke of Edinburgh's teams. Should be a fine weekend for them. Will also have Sunny working with us. Sunny is Plymouth Sections Search Dog, who also turns up with his owner Alan. Both are well trained even Alan!!! Sunny is always a great hit with the groups and it is an ideal opportunity for Alan to run Sunny around the moor. Or is it Sunny to run Alan around the moor, never quite sure!

This evening will be spent demonstrating to the groups the different types of camping stoves and their correct use. Lets hope I still have my eyebrows when I finish.

Next weekend Spirit of Adventure will be at the Explore the Outdoors Showin the Plymouth Pavilions. Come and have a chat, always pleased to see people at our stands. I will be the one with the singed eyebrows!!

A day on rock!

Posted in Activity Fun! on Feb 19, 2010 at 11:28 AM by John

A report written by David from the South West, after a weekends Adventure on Dartmoor!

"I’ve just come back from a couple of fantastic days lead climbing with Spirit of Adventure at the Dewerstone on Dartmoor.  It was a friend’s idea and not something I would have suggested because my last experience of it was 20 years ago and utterly terrifying. It had been with a college group who were all experienced and simply expected me to tag along.  So I was none too confident and prepared for something similar. In fact I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy it at all.

We stayed in the ‘bike-shed’ at Powder Mills which was fine, warm and comfortable actually with a first-rate shower.

On the Saturday John took us out to Dewerstone. We worked on ‘Agag’s Slab’ and ‘Holly Tree Wall’.  John was relaxed throughout, putting no pressure on at all which was just what I needed.  To my surprise I found myself having fun learning protection-placement. Nothing was rushed, unlike my first experience of lead climbing and nothing was

attempted without John checking we understood and felt comfortable.  On Sunday Gavin took us back to Dewerstone, kicking off with ‘Mucky Gully’ which we did in three pitches, taking turns leading and belaying.  To be honest there were frightening parts, but Gavin’s attention to detail, encouragement and enthusiasm meant I didn’t bottle it and felt fantastic once on top of the pinnacle – enjoyably terrifying.  This meant that ‘Mambo Slab’ and the other route up ‘Holly Tree’ in the afternoon were not a problem at all, pure fun."

Thank-you Spirit of Adventure, I’m back into lead climbing!

Spring Clean!!!!!

Posted in Powder Mills on Feb 11, 2010 at 12:05 PM by Steve

Do you spend most of your time looking out of a window on a suuny day, albeit a cold one, wishing you were somewhere else? Well I'm the opposite. I spend many a fair share of my working days in the rain and cold sometimes wishing I was in an office!! Well all things being equal, I would rather be outside with the elements regardless of the wind, cold and rain. The sunny days really do make up for it!!!

Running activities for Spirit of Adventure is quite unique. With the full range of activities that we offer it enables me to work in some fantastic locations in and around the South West. Today I am driving a desk looking out of my office window (great view today though) planning future trips. I am going to be sea kayaking at some point soon, working again in the New Forest, probably taking a group to climb at the Dewerstone and mostly working with enthusiastic like minded people. Who knows what I shall be be doing later in the year. Hopefully another trip out to Everest Base Camp in the Autumn.  

All this got me thinking about how I got into the outdoor industry in the first place. Being made redundant was the catalyst that made me re -evaluate everything. I decided to change my career and to actually spend my time enjoying a different kind of job. Back then getting the qualifications I needed was a long winded affair. Many a weekend logging climbs, paddling rivers, trying to log group work but generally having a great time. The odd scary moment, but that just made it a thrill (ok maybe a bit to thrilling at times). Nowadays, courses are on offer to fastrack people into the industry which makes the transition of changing careers a less daunting prospect.

We already work with other companies training and assessing their clients but we have as yet not run our own course, until now. Rather than have people sign up to a three or four month course we have decided to run two modules of ten days each. One which will prepare you for the world of paddling the other for the rock. This makes our courses handy little bite size chunks, that are intensive, informative but fun. Check out what we have got to offer and give us a call, or have a look at our Intensive Training Course . So changing a career can be done successfully, it's not easy at times to start with but the rewards are worth it.

Just for the record, I don't think I could see myself doing any other job. Well, something on a beach in the Bahamas could be tempting at this time of year!!!!!

Well time to put the kettle on, always time for a cuppa in this office!!

Winter is still at the Powdermills!!!

Posted in Pixie Post on Feb 10, 2010 at 2:42 PM by Steve

Having been away all last week working in the New Forest (lots of trees and very flat!!!) I was hoping that the weather here may have warmed up a bit on my return. Well how wrong was I!! It's still pretty Baltic up here, with the wind chill keeping the temperature probably to just below freezing. We are still getting the occassional snow flurries and the wind is pretty raw. I have though already started seeing some snowdrops (the flowers that is) in the more sheltered parts of the moor. So lets hope that some warm Spring weather is just around the corner.  Need to get my camera sorted so I can start posting some photos again.  

Managed an afternoon out on the mountain bike last Saturday. Interesting route out around Blackaton Cross. Had to keep pumping up my rear tyre, only for it to keep gowing down again, so I decided to change the inner tube. Note to myself to buy tyre leaver. Still haven't replaced the one I broke. Had to borrow the chunky leaver again, think I will get one before the weekend. Good news is though my legs did not take too long to recover and I didn't need to spend so much time on the sofa to recover.

Working this Sunday and may well be down at the Sainsbury's at Marsh Mills on Saturday wrapping flowers for Valentines Day. Not that I am sending that many flowers out, it is all in aid of raising funds for the Dartmoor Rescue Team.

Dorothy gets fired!

Posted in Pixie Post on Jan 26, 2010 at 1:11 PM by Steve

Had a great day out on my mountain bike on Saturday up around the tracks on the moors. Plenty of other like minded cyclists out enjoying the Spring like weather as well. The track from Older Bridge to Norsworthy Bridge took its toll as my rear tyre fell foul to the boulders and stones. Luckily I was not out cycling on my own as my super cheap tyre leaver decided to snap on me. Out came a rather chunky tyre leaver that I was informed only cost a few pounds, think I shall invest in one. It would have been a long walk home!!!  First time I had been out on my bike for a while. So as a result, I spent the remainder of the afternoon on the sofa, thinking that I really do need to get out on my bike more!!!

Last night I had the 18:00 to 22:00 shift firing Dorothy!! Dorothy is Jesses wood fired kiln at the Powdermills Pottery. Well due to the saturated wood Dorothy was being quite stubborn as to whether she was going to get going or not. After a little advice and words of wisdom from Joss, Dorothy decided to start behaving (sort of). I was told that you must treat all kilns like women, as they can be very temperamental and stubborn. I would certainly agree to that!!!! 

Not sure that the firing was going to well this morning as the wood was going to have to be split down further in order to keep the kiln up to temperature. If it ever got up to temperature that is, as when Jess left me to watch the kiln last night the thermometer ceased to work. I will find out again later and see how it is going!! Hope it went well as I might not get asked to help again!! Mind you it was worth the late shift, as when the next shift came to take over I was handed a nice peaty single malt. Didn't quite appreciate the smokey after taste as I was already fighting the smoke from Dorothy. Still got the warm glow inside though as it slipped down, especially warm when working on a frosty night.

Another night on the moor.

Posted in Pixie Post on Jan 20, 2010 at 2:11 PM by Steve

Spent a good few hours last night with 20 or so blokes in anoraks walking around in the dark! Now before you get concerned I was out training with the Dartmoor Rescue Team. Most of the evening was taken up assembling and disassembling various stretchers, playing with neck collars and vacum splints whilst trying to navigate around, all of course in the pouring rain. No change there then as for the weather conditions.

Out of the office tomorrow to spend the next couple of days co-running an SPA course. Think I shall be togged up against the elements as heavy rain is forecasted later in the day. Climbing on cold wet rock, lovely!!!!

 Evenings do seem to be getting lighter though and you certainly get the feel that Spring is just around the corner. Last year it was quite early when we started seeing the first flowers, not sure if the recent cold spell will keep them hidden away for a while longer?

Just so I don't upset anyone, the anoraks that I mentioned are actually highly technical jackets designed for the worst weather that the British climate can chuck at them. And the Rescue team do have ladies in their ranks, just in case you thought we were all beardy blokes in anoraks!!!! Thats not a picture of me by the way!!!

Another Dartmoor Day

Posted in Pixie Post on Jan 14, 2010 at 12:18 PM by Steve

Well it was certainly an interesting drive off the moor on Tuesday night. Probably the worst snow conditions yet. The road towards Peak Hill was worst with large drifts and nearly white out conditions. Abandoned cars to negotiate as well as the drifts. Once down at Yelverton you would not have had any idea of how bad it was further up the hill. It was only very wet and sleating, most of the previous snow had been washed away. The following morning the road above Peak Hill had to be dug free of snow to create access for the Princetown road. There were nearly 3ft drifts to clear.

Today there is not a dot of snow on the main roads, although in some areas it was a little slippery as there was a thin layer of ice. as the day warms up I am sure this will clear. Getting a lot milder so the snow on this side of the moor will retreat quite rapidly. Looking at the forecast it seems as though we are in for quite a mild spell now.

Guess I will soon be back wearing full waterproofs and getting totally soaked out on the moor. At least with the cold spell you could stay relatively dry!!! Wonder if they will say we will have a BBQ summer again. Lets hope that they get the fine weather right!!!!

Weather Latest

Posted in Pixie Post on Jan 12, 2010 at 3:17 PM by Steve

Well it has been snowing heavy here as forecasted for about the last hour. Pity all the weather people didn't get our BBQ summer correct.

Weather update

Posted in Pixie Post on Jan 12, 2010 at 10:05 AM by Steve

Its very grey and overcast here today with quite a strong wind dropping the temperature. Not sure what is going to happen as the forecast is for quite a dumping (not sure if that is the correct term) of snow around lunchtime of anything from 10 - 30cm. Roads were just becoming clear as well!! 

The moors are looking really scoured at the moment as these high winds are transporting any snow that isn't compacted or has been turned to ice into the hedgerows or roadsides. It was thawing nicely yesterday but there might yet be a sting in this current Wintery Spell to come!!! I will update this later and you can always check our webcam. Our snowman doesn't seem to mind the cold weather!

Sam's walks part 2

Posted in Walking on Jan 11, 2010 at 10:32 AM by Sam

This walk will take you from the main Postbridge car park following the west side of the river. Start at the Postbridge car park and take the Drift Lane path to Broad Down and over to Sandy Lane Pass. Stay on the left bank of the East Dart and follow it upstream past the old tin mounds where you will see the remains of some old buildings and makes you stop and think what it would have been like years ago stuck in such a baron place. Keep the river on you right hand side until you get to the waterfall of Kit Steps which in the summer is a nice place to cool off with a dip in the river. When i was at the waterfall October last year i was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a leaping salmon trying to make its way up the waterfall, which shows just how far the salmon must travel and the lengths they go to, to get back to the spawning grounds where they were born. The walk to get back to the car park is a lot quicker just head south east from the waterfall following the path to the top of the hill where the views are stunning on a good day you can see all the way to Hay tor. Then drop back down and pick up the path you were on earlier and follow the drift lane back to the car park. This walk will take from 2-3 hours and its is a medium graded walk.

Winters Morning

Posted in Pixie Post on Jan 08, 2010 at 11:10 AM by Steve

Well there is no sign of a thaw up here on the Moors. The car was telling me it was -9C on the way in this morning. I have not seen the moors looking like it is now for a good few years. I think it is one of our longest cold spells. About 14 years ago I was able to walk with crampons on top of Devonport Leat and down the waterfall and over the viaduct below Black Tor. Don't think it is that cold yet!!!

Took some time out on my way in to work to take some pictures. It was too good an oppurnity not to miss. As the sun crept above the horizon it turned the snow a spectacular rustic orange. With the clear air you could see for miles. In places the moor resembled arctic tundra with wind scoured grass and snow deposits in all the hollows and depressions.

With a light breeze to lower the temperature even more my fingers were going numb trying to work the camera. This would have been a fantasic opportunity for our photography weekends. On a number of occassions I sank up to my knees in the snow. Luckily there was no one else around at that time of the morning to see me floundering in a snowdrift, trying to get out whilst keeping the camera dry!!!

Well a cup of tea it is and back to work, more activities to organise.

Dramatic snow conditions at Powdermills

Posted in Powder Mills on Jan 05, 2010 at 2:30 PM by John

The first snow of the new year is now settling at Powdermills. With more snow forecast overnight it looks as though it will be around for a while. The temperature here last night was -8C so no thaw just yet!!! 

 Our dogs don't quite match up to our sledding dogs in Finland. Ours were more interested in chasing snowballs and each other. We tried ours with a sledge, but Pepsi our rescue dog has no hair, Benji is too old, and Abbi was too small!!! Still if you want the real thing then try our Finland  dog sled safari.

Up-date - its now Wednesday the 6th Jan - overnight snow and now a strong wind are begining to drift the snow into fantastic shapes and ridges. As the day goes on we may find the road blocked, so watch this space.

Xmas Greetings and a reminder!

Posted in Powder Mills on Dec 16, 2009 at 9:42 AM by John

All of us at Spirit of Adventure would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and an active and fun 2010 !

Also just a reminder its 2010 brochure time for us. Give us ring if you would like a copy 01822880277 or go online www.spirit-of-adventure.com or you could email martin@spirit-of-adventure.com

Lots of exciting things planned for next year, and nows the time to get thinking!

Is this Santa's flying fuel!!!

Posted in Powder Mills on Dec 11, 2009 at 4:18 PM by John

Fly agaric fungi, this fine example i found in Soussons Wood, it has been suggested that the Siberian use of fly agaric may have played a part in the development of the legend of Santa Claus . At midwinter festivals the shaman would enter the yurt through the smoke hole and down the central supporting birch pole, bringing with him a bag of dried fly agaric. After conducting his ceremonies he would leave the same way he had come. Ordinary people would have believed the shaman could fly himself, or with the aid of reindeer which they also knew to have a taste for fly agaric. Santa is now dressed in the same colours as the fly agaric, carries a sack with special gifts, comes and goes via the chimney, can fly with reindeer and lives in the 'Far North'.

Dartmoor exploring adventure

Posted in Walking on Dec 10, 2009 at 3:12 PM by John

Christmas on its way, New year Parties to follow, lots of food and drink - Well I hope so!
The New Years’ Resolutions soon come round.  We all think 'I must get fitter, I need to lose weight'. It that all sounds like hard work and punishment because you’ve enjoyed yourself too much.  All sound familiar?  Why not – “get fit and get out there!!”
 Ever wished you could enjoy moorland walking or try an outdoor pursuit but feel your not fit enough, or think you’re overweight, or you might be left behind, or don’t have the right gear, feel you might be out of your depth?
Well here’s a chance to join like-minded people and enjoy the outdoors - may be for the first time.  Get fitter, feel more healthy and meet new people.
Come and join us on Sunday 10th January for a few hours exploring Dartmoor. No pressure to walk fast or go that far, lots of time to look at things, take pictures or just enjoy the view!  Singles, families, old or young, all welcome so please come along and enjoy the Moors and some spectacular scenery!  Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and a well earned piece of home made cake to finish off the day.
More details, hit the contact tab at the top and enquire or ring me on 01822880277 or even email me at john@spirit-of-adventure.com . Cost for the full days exploration is £10 (pay on the day) which includes resfreshments at the start and finish.  qualified leader by the name of John from Spirit of Adventure to make sure all is safe, waterproofs if required. This is not a one off, I'm setting up an adventure group for those out there that would love to enjoy the outdoors without feeling intimidated or threathened. Exploring Dartmoor on January 10 is our starting point and provided we enjoy ourselves we shall have a monthly walk and slowly expand into other activities all at the same cost.

The Dartmoor Weather

Posted in Powder Mills on Nov 20, 2009 at 10:01 AM by John

What a week, 60 mph winds - tiles flying round the yard and horizontal rain! Next doors ridge tiles decided to land on our office roof and make big holes, so now we have scaffolding up for repairs. The forecast is still more to come, so if your planning a walk on the moor this weekend beware. This time of year care does need to be taken, the windchill can bring the temperature right down to minus figures. As you gain height that figure will come down even more so take that extra layer to put on. However it is well worth the effort of going out, lots to see at this time of year. One of my favorites is the Raven's giving us a free acrobatic display making full use of the windy conditions. A far cry from being clipped and prisoned in the tower of London!