It’s been a bit of a scrappy month. I have been out a few times but have done nothing much. Had a reasonable trip up onto Dunkery on the 20th where I kicked around in the recently fallen snow in a bitterly cold east wind.
With the threat of snow on the way again I today decided to head out into the moor and walk some combes that I have never visited before. I was going to park at Larkbarrow Corner but on arrival every single parking spot was occupied by a hunt supporter’s vehicle. I was well past Alderman’s Barrow and well away from where I wanted to go before a vacant spot appeared. I should have checked before I left home, but I don’t believe the hunt publishes its meet anymore. I drove down to Allerford and parked, being too tight to pay for a parking ticket at Bossington. I walked out through the woods to Hurlstone where I spent a couple of hours climbing around the point. Not many people about, just a school group at the point. Walking back along the same path to Allerford I looked down on the car park at Bossington and saw that there were only half a dozen vehicles there. I suppose the charges are reasonable compared to The Valley of Rocks, its just a shock after parking there free for so many years. I notice that there are now far more vehicles parking at the end of North Hill and on the roadside at Bossington Green. I hear it is the same at Horner where a similar machine has been installed in the car park.
No chance, visibility across the top was down to less than 100 metres with a cutting east wind. The heather was covered in frost but this did not deter the mutt as he ran shovelling his nose through the heather looking for any poor bird to chase. We walked up from Dunkery Gate to the Beacon then across to Row Barrows. I did not have a compass, I used instinct to guide us across the two roads and out on to Almsworthy Common. Thankfully the dog returned each time he lost sight of me. We reached Alderman’s Barrow and turned back. It was far too cold to stop for a bite to eat, we had to keep moving. 
I would guess that the temperature would have been around minus 5 degrees. We crossed Codsend Moor keeping the field hedge in view for most of the way. The trees were covered in frost. Eventually we arrived back at Dunkery Gate. I was looking forward to sitting in the car and having a hot cup of coffee. Could I get the dog into the car? Could I heck. For twenty minutes or more I shouted commands at it from the list plus a few that I made up. It ran around in circles and jumped into the air as though it was on springs. I ran off through narrow gaps and tried to ambush it. I tried to bribe it with the official good boy rewards nothing worked. Eventually a woman with another dog casually walked up to him and caught hold of his collar. Daughter is collecting him on Sunday. I hope. We will all miss him especially the cat.
