The forecast was for some really heavy squalls but I'd decided to make an effort to visit a location where I could practise my photogrammetry a little. After several attempts at creating 3d models of spots on Dartmoor to use on the Our Dartmoor website, I thought I was getting the hang of it and wanted to trail my new found knowledge on something that was large, but not too large. Nine Maidens Stone Circle seemed like the perfect test subject!
I parked up near the waterworks (I have a soft spot for the gate near there and the amazing beech trees that seems to surround many of the moors villages.
It should be noted that I don't park here or above the village green unless it's out of season. Please park in the carpark outside the village when you can. During the summer it can become a little irritating with the usual grockles being unable to reverse!
The quickest way to the circle is to follow the track that runs alongside the granite wall when you enter the gate and then veer off towards the tors.
My biggest fear was I'd have chosen a day that was of some pagan significance and there would be a coven of witches at the circle casting spells and creating content.
I was, it appears, lucky. Rainy weather seems to put off much spirituality.
The dog was rather well behaved whilst I took over 400 images of the circle at various angles and heights (and this was one of my most successful attempts so far). Whilst wandering around the circle the sun decided to show itself and I had to abandon the photogrammetry in favour of using the Sony a7r (and several old film camera lenses) to capture the wonderful light.
We made our way up the side of what is known as Tors End, past the old quarry and made an effort to locate one of the apple crushers - which I also made an effort to take photographs for another photogrammetry opportunity.
Really windy by now and making our way to Belstone Common Tor we stood on top and got buffeted rather mercilessly 🤣
In an attempt to hide from the increasingly bitter wind, we made our way to the East of the tor and walked along towards Belstone Tor (Proper). It was at this time that the sun decided to treat me to some amazing light shows, so rather than continue to Belstone Tor, I skipped over the Irishman's Wall and made my way down to towards Taw Marsh - hoping that the view would be worth the descent.
A short downpour later and the clouds broke again to reveal some amazing shafts of light.
Stopped to watch some birds chilling out on a hawthorn until a crow or blackbird hassled them off their bough.
Down to the Taw Marsh and took some time to snap a few images of the underground waterworks for the Our Dartmoor website and at the same time a few marvellous shots of The Fallen Brothers Dolmen, discovered only recently by the wonderful Alan Endacott.
It started to rain again, so abandoned the plan to walk back through the village and took the short cut back to the car across the moor.