Ten Tors 2013

Last weekend Ben took part in the Ten Tors 45 mile challenge (I wrote about the 35 mile challenge he completed last year here.) The Ten Tors is an event for teenagers who, after months of training, set off in teams of six (with no adult help) to navigate their way over Dartmoor using only their compass and map. They climb up and down ten selected tors along the route (where the army have checkpoints) and cover distances of either 35, 45 or 55 miles, depending on age. This challenge has to be completed within 34 hours and requires them to wild camp on the moors.

Ben's team this year was the same as last, they are a really well-matched group of boys and work so well together. The school took them up to base camp at Okehampton Army Barracks on the Friday where the teams set up camp, went through safety talks, checked their kit one last time and were assigned their route for the weekend. They went over their route and filled in their route cards. Here are the Teign Valley Ramblers early Saturday morning before they set off to the start point (Ben is fourth from the left):

We all got up early Saturday morning to drive out and see Ben's team off. The weather this year was unfortunately wet and misty, typical Dartmoor weather, and the exact opposite of last year! Here's a hooded Ben in the background walking up with his team to the start point:

There are over 2400 teenagers that take part in the event, it's quite a sight to see them all (well...kind of see them through the mist) getting ready to start the challenge:

The Brigadier started off the event with a quick speech and by saying the traditional Ten Tors prayer:

O God who has made the Earth of great beauty,
And who has given us the Spirit of Adventure,
We thank you for the beauty of the world,
For the courage and vigour of young people,
For the companionship and for the opportunity
To enjoy all these gifts.

We pray that you will keep them safe on this great venture
And grant that they may meet each challenge
And difficulty with unselfish courage and so find the
True spirit of comradeship as shown to us by
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Isn't that wonderful? There was a trumpet salute and the firing of the canon to set the teams off:

There they all go, off into the misty hills of Dartmoor:

All Saturday we kept checking the Ten Tors website; they updated the team's progress as they reached each tor so we could see what time they arrived and keep track of their progress and speed. The rain eased off by Saturday afternoon and the team made it to just below tor eight before they camped out. First thing Sunday morning the mist and rain were back, but undeterred they registered at tor eight and set off to complete the challenge. We left home earlier than planned (they made such great time) to meet them at the finish line. There were 17 different teams walking Ben's particular route, and apart from tor nine, Teign Valley Ramblers were the first team to reach each tor and the first to finish. Here is the team arriving at the finish on Sunday at 12:44pm (Ben is on the left in black):

A wet but happy team:

Collecting their medals:



Although Ben's team were doing a 45 mile route, they actually walked 51 miles (the route distances don't allow for the extra mileage of walking up and down the hills). I was so impressed at how quickly they completed the challenge, last year they finished the 35 mile walk in 28 hours 33 minutes, this year they walked 51 miles in 29 hours and 44 minutes! To say I'm proud would be an understatement.

In Search Of Snow

Most of the UK has been covered in snow this weekend, but not Newton Abbot! On Saturday we decided to go to the snow, and a ten minute drive to Dartmoor found us revelling in the white stuff. The famous Dartmoor mist was also upon us so it was truly a white wonderland! Ben took the wheels off his skateboard and found some hills to slide down:

Rosie was cold and her face looked mostly like this:

The moors are so pretty when it snows:

Noah:

Have you ever had a snowy love heart made for you? Well, I have thanks to Ethan:

Brentor

Yesterday we went on another walk to the moors (we are making the most of this lovely weather!). This time we visited Brentor to go see the church that was built in 1130.

The climb up:

If there is a bench you HAVE to sit on it! (Ben was out with friends so didn't make the walk.) Most pictures of Rosie end up with this crazy pose:

The steps leading up to the church:

It was so windy up here, but the views were amazing. I can't wait to come up here when it's covered in snow!

The church was open and it was so tiny inside. It was gorgeously simple and had a very peaceful feeling:

I love stained glass windows:

I'd go to church here every week if I could, just so I could walk out to this view:

Isn't Noah just scrummy?

 

He also takes a good photo on my phone!:

Autumn Moors

September has greeted us with lots of warm sunny days, and we just can't stay away from the moors when it's like this! Ben and Ethan were busy today so we took Rosie and Noah up for a quick walk around. James likes to walk briskly up hills:

I like to take my time and admire the windswept trees:

Rosie likes to clamber over the cairns:

Noah is always ready for a 'sit down and a cuddle':

September is shaping up to be rather beautiful:

Hot Sand On Toes, Cold Sand In Sleeping Bags

What a summer we've had! The six week break has gone far too quickly for my liking, but we have squeezed in lots of beach days, family days, garden days, pool days, camping days and rainy days. We finished up the holiday with a visit from my sister Amy, her husband Ian and baby Isobel. The poor girl was surrounded constantly by fascinated cousins and she had plenty of cuddles. Ben was a natural with her:

It was back to school for Ben and Ethan last Wednesday, Ben is in year 10 now (he starts his GCSE's and will finish school in two years!!!!) and Ethan is in year 8.

Noah and Rosie went back to school on Thursday, Rosie is in year 6 (her last year of primary school) and Noah is year 3. They were excited to go back:

We had a lovely afternoon on Dartmoor this Saturday, we took a walk up to Haynes Down to see Bowerman's nose. The children love climbing the rocks on the moors:

Bowerman's nose:

Noah thought this tree trunk looked like a reindeer....can you see it?:

We all decided we would like to move into this gorgeous cottage near Hound Tor:

On sunday we went on another walk on the moors, this time with some friends. The children did some letterboxing and found lots of boxes along the way:

Ben thought he'd try on Noah's coat, I have no idea why:

I love these trees and dry stone walls:

 

Unfortunately I had an altercation with the barbed wire and I had to make good use of James' first aid kit. There was a fair bit of my blood left on the moors. (I went to A&E for some stitches later on, all's well!) We climbed up to Rippon Tor next and were nearly blown off it, the wind was insane up there:

Even on a bleak day it's pretty up here:

Oh, come back summer!

What We've Been Up To

While the sun has been shining we've spent some more time at our local beach in Teignmouth:

We've enjoyed sunny afternoon BBQ's with friends:

We had a day out with family to Portland and Weymouth...

...where we climbed the lighthouse 'Portland Bill'.

James and Ben climbed some rocks that hung over the sea:

We found a stone chair along the costal walk:

The Olympic sailing is taking place in Weymouth and the children were excited to see all the flags and drive by the Olympic village:

The boats are all down there somewhere!:

At church we bumped into James' old mission companion and his family who were in the area on holiday, so we took the chance on Friday to show them around our favourite spots on Dartmoor.  Who wouldn't love the old bridge at Postbridge?

Or the even older clapper bridge?

In between all this fun we've been glued to the Olympics, there's been lots of excitement and tears of joy as the gold medals keep piling up. It's been a pretty good start to the holidays!