Tuesday 16th August 2011 – Dunsford (Widecombe-in-the-Moor)

Back on the Moor today after a slow start.  About 11 o’clock we walked to the village (only a few hundred metres) and had morning tea at ‘The Walled Garden’.  They had soy milk for coffees and a gluten-free toffee flapjack (very sweet – we only needed one of those between two).  It’s a lovely spot.  A garden full of plants with private little alcoves for people to eat/drink at.

Morning Tea at the Walled Garden

We organised a picnic lunch and set off for Widecombe-in-the-Moor.  Lots of very old buildings and very touristy reflected by the fact that within a small area there are several gift shops (including a National Trust shop), two cafes and two pubs (the Old Inn and the Rugglestone).

Widecombe-in-the-Moor

The village is probably best known for Widecombe Fair, held annually and celebrated by a well-known folksong of the same name, featuring 'Old Uncle Tom Cobley and All'. Its words were first published in 1880.  The song is about seven men (Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all) riding a horse to the fair and the horse dying along the way and now making ghostly appearances on the moor.  When we were at Finch Foundry at Sticklepath last week they also mentioned the song there.  If it really was from there that they rode the horse, no wonder the old grey mare died.

Tom Pearce, Tom Pearce, lend me your grey mare. All along, down along, out along lee.

For I want for to go to Widecombe Fair, With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, 
Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

And when shall I see again my grey mare? All along, down along, out along lee.

By Friday soon, or Saturday noon, With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

So they harnessed and bridled the old grey mare. All along, down along, out along lee.

And off they drove to Widecombe fair, With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

Then Friday came, and Saturday noon. All along, down along, out along lee.

But Tom Pearce's old mare hath not trotted home, With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

So Tom Pearce he got up to the top o' the hill. All along, down along, out along lee.

And he seed his old mare down a-making her will, With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

So Tom Pearce's old mare, her took sick and died. All along, down along, out along lee.

And Tom he sat down on a stone, and he cried With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

But this isn't the end o' this shocking affair. All along, down along, out along lee.

Nor, though they be dead, of the horrid career Of Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

When the wind whistles cold on the moor of the night. All along, down along, out along lee.

Tom Pearce's old mare doth appear ghastly white, With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

And all the long night be heard skirling and groans. All along, down along, out along lee.

From Tom Pearce's old mare in her rattling bones, With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,

Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke,

Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

We went for a walk around Widecombe-in-the-Moor.  The name is a bit of a misnomer these days as there is quite a lot of cultivation around the town.  Once out of the valley you are back on the moor again.  It was here we went for our picnic lunch and a walk to a few different tor topped hills.  The view over the moors to the village and to the cultivated hillside (small fields divided up by stone walls and hedges) was quite spectacular.  We shared the moor with quite a lot of ponies, a few cows and some black-faced sheep - and other walkers.

Drove back via Hound Tor, Manaton and Becky Falls.  Couldn’t get to the falls though as it was now after 5pm and the parking area (the only place to park) was closed for the day.

Between Manaton and North Bovey, we negotiated some very narrow roads before heading back to Dunsford via Moretonhampstead.  The narrow roads do take some time to get used to - particularly the backing up when you meet someone and there is no parking bay.  Surprisingly you see very few cars with dinged in fronts or backs.  

Not a lot of room for passing!!

Dinner tonight was at the Royal Oak in Dunsford.  They have a different special each night and Tuesday was their fish night.  Most enjoyable and we only had a short walk home.