Wheelchairoffroad.org

Wheeled Access Group. Dartmoor WAGs

Hopalong — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 21:47:55 +0000

We now have a website for our Wheeled Access Group ( Dartmoor WAGs ).This is the link to the website. https://www.dartmoorwags.org There is a email address for information on the bi-monthly public rambles, which is accessiblewalks@outlook.com

Tamar Trails 12/12/23

Hopalong — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 21:05:09 +0000

This week the WAG’s walk was held in the Tamar Vally, exploring the Tamar Trails and the Devon Great Consols Gulworthy. The mines started as Copper mines, but also started mining the Arsenic. Between 1844 and 1902, they produced over 72,000 tons of refined arsenic.

We had a good day as it stayed dry, while we were out on the ramble. With the ground being so wet we had to modify our route, so did not complete the circular route planned. We had heavy rain on both journeys, to and from the Tamar Trails car park.

Dartmoor Miles without Stiles

Hopalong — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 18:18:39 +0000

Here is the link to Dartmoor National Park website, Miles without Stiles. https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartmoor/outdoor-activities/accessible-dartmoor The list is still work in progress, as more routes will be added.

Avon Dam and Foggintor Quarry

Hopalong — Fri, 26 May 2023 21:44:10 +0000

On Friday 19th May we did our monthly level one walk, Shipley Bridge to Avon Dam. I was hoping the Rhododendrons would be in flower, but we were about a week too early. But we had a splendid display of Bluebells and Pink Campion, in the hedgerow between the A38 and Shipley Bridge. The feature photo does not do it justice.

A FEW PHOTOS ON THE AVON DAM WALK

On Tuesday 23rd May we did a regular WAG’s reconnoitre, starting from Princetown to Foggintor and Sweltor Quarries. We were joined by a local company, who supply mobility equipment. They wanted to test 3 All Terrain Powerchairs, one failed within 0.5 miles, but the other 2 did very well. While we did not complete the whole route, we did manage to traverse a long flooded section of track near Foggintor Quarry. The water has been to deep for the mobility scooters in the past, but this time it was ok but had to be treated with care.

A FEW PHOTOS FROM WAGS LATEST RECONNOITRE

Scotland May 2023

Hopalong — Mon, 22 May 2023 21:36:42 +0000

We went to Scotland to visit our Nephew and his wife, near Ballater Aberdeenshire. The weather was kind to us, we had one damp day in the week. There are 26 photos some of them mine, some Gill’s and some are nephew Steve’s. The photo’s of the non native animals, are from the Highland Wildlife Park. The seals were near Buckie on the North Aberdeen coast, the rest are from various locations in the Cairngorm National Park.

If we go again we have decided that eight days, is not enough, given the amount of driving to get there.

Revelstoke Carriage Drive

Hopalong — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 21:32:34 +0000

Some of the WAGs group met for a ramble, on a section of the Southwest Coast Path in the South Hams. We started from the Warren National Trust car park, near Noss Mayo which is close to the coast path. The dirt track we used takes you down into Noss Mayo, there is a 100 yard section which is badly rutted. Great care is needed on this section, but the rest of the route is relatively easy. There is a slightly longer route avoiding the difficult section, to Noss Mayo on a quiet Devon lane. I will be mapping that route at a later date.

Noss Mayo

Noss Mayo Harbour

Noss Mayo

Newton Ferrers

Newton Ferrers through the trees

The group in Brakehill Plantation

Great Mew Stone

Membury Church

Revelstoke Carriage Drive

Last view of the Great Mew Stone

The official circular route listed on the Southwest Coast Path website, is just under 5 miles. This means returning back to the car park, shortly after passing Warren Cottage. We extended it to 7.8 miles by staying on the Carriage Drive, as far as Revelstoke car park near Stoke House. From there we returned back to the Warren car park, via the quiet country lane.

Revelstoke Carriage Drive

In among the cows

Revelstoke Carriage Drive

We had a problem with the gate at the Revelstoke car park, but were able to get the scooters through with difficulty. We had a lovely sunny day with a cold breeze, apart from the last 20 minutes with light rain. Due to the problem with the gate, I would advise you do the shorter route as listed on the Southwest Coast Path website.There is a link to the SWCPA website in my website’s information section.

Exminster to Starcross Walking with Wheels

Hopalong — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 20:33:40 +0000

I am using a different mapping software and this is the first ramble using the new software. Click on the Learn more for details of the ramble.

Battery Test

Hopalong — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 16:46:34 +0000

This was a solo trip to see how far I could go with the new Lithium batteries in the 4 wheeled Tramper. My 3 Wheeler has gone to a good home in North Devon.

Exe Estuary Trail

Difficulty

Distance 64.6 km

Duration 7.6 h

Ascent 398 m

Descent 375 m

I started from home going along the canal, joining the Exe Estuary Trail, to Exmouth. Then following the National Cycle Route 2 towards Budleigh Salterton, until the traffic free section finished. I then climbed up to the Southern edge of Woodbury Common, using an old farm track. Then down another farm track to the village of East Budleigh, were I followed a lane and a short section of main road back to the traffic free cycle path.

Having got back to Exeter Quay, I still had just over 10 AH (Amp hours ), so did a short loop of about 3 miles. This up Redhills as far as Barley Lane, and back down Dunsford Hill, making it a distance of 39.8 miles

Disabled Ramblers Day 3 and 4

Hopalong — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:43:29 +0000

The Wednesday was a rest day, in the morning we ventured out from the hotel on our buggies. In the morning we visited Tihidy Country Park, exploring a section not covered by the next days Ramble. After lunch we visited a very good friend, sitting in the garden enjoying tea and lovely home made cake.

Day 3 Tihidy Country Park and Northcliffs

Today we met at Tihidy Country Park

Day 4 Gwithian Beach, Godrevy Point and The Knavacks

This is one of my favourite rambles, as we are able to get from the stoney track straight onto wet sand with the buggies.

Disabled Ramblers Day 1 & 2

Hopalong — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 20:43:54 +0000

Gill and I spent a week in West Cornwall, doing 4 rambles with the Disabled Ramblers and Cornwall Rolling Ramblers. We had glorious weather all week, plenty of sunshine and lovely sea breezes most days.

Day 1 : National Trust Penrose Estate.

Penrose House and the gardens immediately adjoining the house are private, with the National Trust managing the rest of the estate which is open to the public.

We traveled through the grounds, stopping at the stables for refreshments. We went as far as the gate lodge over looking Loe Bar, which is a strip of sand which separates a fresh water lake and the sea.

On the way back the the owner of the house, invited us into his private garden for a group photo next to the house.

Day 2 : Mining Heritage at Botallack

Todays ramble was on a strip of coastline, owned by the National Trust. between Cape Cornwall and Pendeen Lighthouse. Our starting point was the National Trust car park at Botallack. We headed south to a Quarry which gave lovely views of Cape Cornwall and the Longship rocks off Lands End.

We made our way back to Botallack for lunch, enjoying a lovely Cornish Pasty which was made locally, and fresh out of the oven.

After lunch we made our way to Levent Mine, where we were given an unexpected brief history of mining in the area, by a National Trust member of staff. The tracks we were using all date back to the mining era, with remains of buildings every where you look.