h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Fresh air, soft landing; so good to be home,
This bruised world's got it's beauty, it's where I belong.
The sight of those green curves quickens my heart
Break the grip of Levithian, now I'm ready to start...
- 'Been Away Too Long', Midnight Oil

We both had the day off today, and as it's Elaine's birthday tomorrow/today I took her up to the moors to visit the pony I adopted for her for Christmas. We took a picnic lunch up to Dartmeet, where I tried to avoid the nagging guilt that I still haven't had a river swim to welcome Spring, and drove on towards the centre.

There's a great moment shortly after you've passed through Poundsgate when all of a sudden, you realise you're really on the Moor. The hedgerows give way to an expanse of open, rolling moor, and on a clear day the tors stream away into the distance on either side. It always sends my spirits soaring, and when I remember the song above goes on the stereo. It seems very appropriate.

The pony we adopted - Starlight http://www.dpht.co.uk/meet_the_pony_day.php#pics - has had to have an operation on her right leg, because a tendon keeps slipping behind her right knee. This means that she can't take the 'flight' position as easily as she should be able to, and she's been very nervous as a result. They've operated on and cured that problem, but now she's got the same problem in her left leg. It's all very sad, but it was great to go up and see her and the other ponies and chat to the volunteers.

We went to Widecombe afterwards, but learnt from the vols that the pub we were heading for a pint in had been taken over. This turned out to be very bad news. The Old Inn used to be a cracking pub, a real classic old English village inn with a fireplace and loads of nooks and crannies that were great to sit in quietly and chat. Needless to say, the chain has spent months and large sums of money fastidiously ripping all the character out. Walk in now and it feels like an olde worlde wine bar. I was quite annoyed, I'm sure they think they know what they're doing, but why rip the soul out of a 16th Century pub just to be trendy?

Widecombe was on the shortlist for Sunday, but I don't think we'll go there now. It's a honeypot tourist place anyway, where you can have your picture taken by Uncle Tom Cobley's Stone, buy mugs that say 'Property of Dartmoor Prison' and enjoy a cream tea - one of the shops even dares to claim 'free admission'. It's still worth a visit, and there is another pub a mile away, but the Old Inn used to be a real treat and a cracking end to a stroll. I don't think it ever will be again.

When I got home, I got a text from GB saying that Dartmoor was on BBC2, and yes, there was Bill wandering the moors. It was a cracking programme, and Oddie even went to Wistman's Wood - Mina, the secret is definitely out now

All this has really whetted my appetite for the Meet this weekend. It's a place I feel tremendously comfortable in, and one that I find uplifting and inspiring in a way that human creations can't match. Nothing makes me happier than having a few good friends to share it with.

Now, how did i guess from the title of this thread it was one of yours?

Aww, cute, shame about the pub.

I see you spell "Widecombe" the same way as on "Show of hands" CD, but i am sure when i learned the song as a kid it was spelled "Widdecombe Fair" & i think i've even seen it spelt "Widdicombe"...any clue as to the historical changes maybe?

zdt

As far as I know, the name has always been 'Widecombe', but obviously spellings do change down the centuries. The origin of the name is simply that the village is situated in a fairly shallow valley, hence 'wide coombe'. Variations on the name are occasional surnames down here, which is probably where the misspellings come from.

What a lovely day you both had, it sounds perfect, except for the pub. Did you see any wildlife?
Will the pony have another op on her left leg?

Like Terri, I instinctively knew it was your thread Rich!

I loved it and also loved the pictures; especially of Starlight; which reminded me of my first pony - funnily enough called Star - although he was an Exmoor.

I am really looking forward to it as well! I can't wait to leave my cares behind and get out walking again.

It sounds like you've quite a gathering of h2g2ers around you. I'm to hear about the horse hope she gets better soon. What is the flight position? It also sounds like you've got the beginnings of great entry here too thats if you want to do that. Anyway take care. opti.

Ah yes, t'moors...

It's a warm wind, the west wind, full of birds cries;
I never hear the west wind but tears are in my eyes.
For it comes from the west lands, the old brown hills,
And April's in the west wind, and daffodils.

Here's to a couple of s slap bang in the middle of that great wilderness.

Paff

The flight position is a tense stance that lets the pony turn and run very quickly if necessary. If you disturb one feeding, you'll see its body tense up. With this tendon problem, Starlight can't assume this position, so she's much more cautious than she would be otherwise. Ponies can also sleep on their feet by 'locking' this tendon into place. In fact you'll find yourself doing something quite similar if you've been standing up for a while, you put most of your weight onto one straightened leg and relax the other one. So unfortunately, yes, she's going to have to have another op

It'll be good to see you there as well, Paff - everyone's got their own song or bit of poetry that reminds them of Dartmoor, haven't they?

I'm really, really excited about this weekend, Mina, as I always am when it comes to the Moors. Having you guys there as well is going to make it extra special

I'm bringing some Foster's Ice. It's a leftover from my last fella, so I hope someone drinks it! There's only two bottles, so there may be a punch up.

I was going to bring some of the booze that I was left with after I couldn't go to a different meet some time ago. Then I realised they were both best before dec 2005 and one was half empty. Not a good idea to drink them I think...

I'll be forcing various local brews down Alex's throat, Mina. Poor lad has no idea what he's in for He was very impressive with his handling of Sheppy's cider at the last London Meet, but there's far better grog around. Princetown even has its own brewery, so there are some very good fresh ales around as well. The downside is that mornings can occasionally be a struggle

I can't drink too much cos of J, but I'll certainly have a couple while I'm there.

Hope you all enjoy the meet! Will there be pictures and a report in ?

I hope you all have a great time. My thoughts are with you.

I was looking at Widecombe funnily enough the other day. (Please forgive me for the next bit - it's not my fault) In one of the choirs I'm in, we sing Chris de Burgh's "Where Peaceful Waters Flow" - mainly for weddings and stuff. Recently I looked for a picture of an "Old Saxon Well" (it's mentioned in the song) and the one that came up most frequently was the one in Widecombe.

Your talk of moors and ponies and has made me homesick.

Meet report might be in on Thursday!

*rubs hands in excitement and curiousity*

It will, too!

If Skanky has missed anything really important out (the talk of Lemming season for instance) I'll post to the bottom of the entry when I return from my hols. So subscribe in case you miss anything!

Bum. I missed that bit