What Happens on Tor, Stays on Tor

On our mission to find the fabled beast, Andy and my next stop in Dartmoor National Park was Hound Tor. Local legend says the tor was created when a pack of hounds was turned to stone. It’s also thought to have been another inspiration for Conan Doyle’s Hound of the Baskervilles. Remember that, since it’ll come up later.

I’ve never grown out of loving to climb rocks, so I was excited to tackle this tor. I let Andy have the first go, though.

I scrambled up to join him, and we explored the different (super?)natural rock piles and towers of Hound Tor.

We had to take this opportunity to get a shot of both of us. By we, I mean I had to, and Andy kindly obliged.

That last one cracks me up.

Up next, we took on the highest tier of the tor.

Well, Andy went first, and then I met him at the top. I tend to lag behind when taking photos. It comes in handy for photos like this:

The views from the top were unbeatable. The formation of Hound Tor seemed even more impressive from the top, with the rocks starkly contrasted by the rolling green moors.

Again, it’s easy enough to imagine this place being eerie come nightfall.

On a decidedly less creepy note, I think it was around this time Andy said I’d eventually have to name my blog, “What Happens on Tor, Stays on Tor.” Of course, I had to honor his punny request.

After getting as much out of the view as we could, Andy and I crab-walked and slid down from the tippity top of Hound Tor and made for the car. In the parking lot, a little food truck was set up. The name made me bust out laughing. Reeeeally a stretch!

Hound of the Basket Meals. Ohhh, dear!

Once back in the car, we headed for the Dartmoor village of Lustleigh, which we’d heard was worth a stop. On the way, we had to drive down quite a few nail-bitingly narrow old roads. They’re actually two-way roads, so you just have to hope against hope that you don’t come across another car.

Luckily, I wasn’t the one driving, and we actually made it out without having to maneuver around another vehicle.

We parked in Lustleigh, a small village of about 600. There’s been a settlement on this site since before records began, and it’s not hard to imagine the history here.

We parked and wandered around the sleepy village, which felt frozen in time. After picking up some delicious Devon fudge at the tiny general store, it didn’t take long to circle the quaint town center.

The architecture in Lustleigh was wonderful. I’m sure it hasn’t changed munch in centuries, besides the bits of scaffolding and telephone poles.

Did you catch the border collie in that last one?

After Lustleigh, we decided it was a good time to make the drive back to Bideford. We’d managed to fit a lot into one day, although we could easily spend a week exploring Dartmoor National Park. Next time we visit, I’d love to spend the night on the moors in an old country inn.

Sadly, we never did find the beast, but we did get to return to Loki in Bideford. There’s always next time! Oh, and we will be exploring King Arthur’s castle coming up…