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TORBAY RIDE TO POWDER MILLS - 8th October 2006
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Cycling
around the outskirts of Ashburton and moving through Rewe, Victor then
led us up an isolated lane to Druid Wood, omitting to mention that the
"up" was a very long exceptionally steep hill marked with three chevrons
on the ordinance survey. Sworn to secrecy so no names, the gradient
was such that a few were forced to walk. Not being in that number I
nevertheless made a mental note that once was enough and never again.
At the top, and I think I speak for the majority, in a state of collapse,
we did not notice the derelict buildings in the wood until Victor climbed
over the hedge and pointed them out. They were what we had come to see.
The remains of Druid Mine complete with the usual distinctive tall chimney
of its engine house. It was a deep mine producing in its time tin and
copper.
Interestingly it had constructed an underground drainage adit stretching over a mile to Halshanger. Victor expounded further information about the mine and mining in general before posing the question of how, with a knife, could one differentiate between the ores of copper and iron. Apparently the two look very similar. Victor offered a prize and after many wrong suggestions by the group, John Beasley came up with the correct answer. It was that the iron ore when scraped with a knife produce sparks whereas copper ore will not. For his brilliance (or inspired guess?) John was presented with a fine drawing done by Victor's own hand of a typical mine similar to what we had been studying.
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Following
a welcome coffee stop at Widecombe-in-the-Moor, half the group left
to return home with the unenviable climb out of Widecombe up its fabled
hill. The nine who continued with Victor however, didn't have it easy
leaving the village by climbing the equally steep double chevron Southcombe
Hill in order to gain the high moor for the road to Postbridge via Bellever.
Food, including hot pasties, was purchased for lunch in the little shop
at Postbridge (good selection and recommended) before cycling towards
Two Bridges and the lane signed to the Powdermills
Pottery. Visible from the main road, this was not
our destination, which we found through a gate and further along a bridleway.
As its name suggests, gunpowder was manufactured in the powder mills
which, for obvious reasons were remotely located away from other buildings.
However, although almost within touching distance we could not approach
the site as our progress was barred by a further gate and a herd of
cattle, including a very large animal that was showing a great deal
of interest in our presence.
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The Old Inn at Widecombe
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was obviously male and a concerned debate then ensued as to whether it
was a bullock or a bull. The brute did not cooperate by showing whether
it was complete or not so with the question unresolved it was decided
that discretion was the better part of valour. The party ventured no further
but had lunch whilst Victor related his potted history of the mill within
sight but not actually at our intended destination. Afterwards, going
back towards the main road, the group located and examined a large 19th
century mortar that had been fired to test the quality of the gunpowder.
Leaving the powder mills behind we set off for home by way of Ponsworthy,
crossed the Dart at Newbridge,
and stopped for afternoon tea at a café in Ashburton.
Here, Victor, well known for his Highwayman articles written under the
Nom de Plume of Vespucci, passed on good advice from his vast cycle touring
experience. He told the tale of being arrested in Algeria by an armed
guard pointing a gun at him for camping on military land. How do you get
out of that one? Well Victor obviously did and offered words of wisdom
in dealing with officialdom. By the time we left the café, rain was falling
quite steadily so it was a wet ride home for everyone but our spirits
were not dampened. The ride had been tough but totally enlightening. Victor had been a mine of information (excuse the pun), and like his Sherlock Holmes tour, had brought to life local landmarks and locations that one would otherwise pass by in ignorance. I understand from the Runs Organiser that it is planned for Victor to do a Part Two Industrial Tour next spring and I certainly look forward to it. |
 Steve Main & Kevin Presland at top of Widecombe Hill. |
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 RIDE THE DEVIL! |
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