DARTMOOR IN JANUARY - 2014

DARTMOOR IN JANUARY, 2014 - Weekend 24th to 27th of January.

Some of you who attended the previous Dartmoor gatherings have expressed an interest in having another one in January, 2014.

So I am looking for a date and currently January the 24th to the 27th is being targeted. This suits me but if you wish to come along and the date is not convenient do let me know (within a few days please) and I will see what can be done.

We shall again be using the Riverside Inn, Bovey Tracey as our base. The rate currently quoted for single en-suite accommodation is £45.00 per night. The cost of en-suite accommodation for two sharing a double or twin room is currently shown as £75.00 per night. A full- English breakfast can be obtained for an additional £5.00 per person, per night – book when making your booking or at the hotel when you arrive.

When I have finalised the date I would advise early booking at the Riverside Inn as they only have 10 -12 rooms.

The hotel's website is:

http://www.riversideinnbtracey.co.uk


*DO NOT BOOK ANYTHING UNTIL THE DATE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED*

Alternatively, a variety of accommodation in the form of Inns, hotels, B&Bs and camping / caravanning sites for the hardy is available within the area to suit all pockets and tastes.

The format for the weekend will be the same as our previous visits –informal and to do some photography. There will be three days of landscape photography, with plenty of time for socialising in the evenings. Hopefully we shall have another print sharing session at the Riverside Inn on the Saturday night – please bring along some prints if you can.

The general idea is to visit some moorland locations that will provide good photography and to accommodate the wishes of the group. The locations will be decided on the day and will be chosen with the weather in mind and the wishes of those there. But if you would prefer to do your own thing that will not be a problem. The emphasis will be on maximising image making opportunities rather than trekking miles across the Tors. As the weather on Dartmoor can be unpredictable, and the going often muddy, sensible outdoor clothing and walking boots / shoes are recommended.

If you live locally, or are able to travel in, and would like to join us for few hours on one or more of the days / evenings, you would be made most welcome. Just let me know what you are planning to do and we will be looking out for you.

If you have any questions / queries that are not covered in the above please raise them here or send me a PM.

I hope to see all the past Dartmoor attendees and a good few new ones on the moor in January. Why not come along to blow away the Christmas excesses and to kick-start your photography for 2014!

Neil.
__________________
Neil Souch - www.mono-inthedark.co.uk

Hi Neil

You can count on me to be joining you again in January. I shall look forward to it.

Cheers

Stoo

Hi Stoo,

Great and I look forward to catching up again. I will try to lay on some good ice for you

Neil.

Hi Neil

Sounds like a fabulous idea

Count me in

Martin

Hi Martin,

Excellent news and you are on my list!

Neil.

TIME FOR AN UPDATE

Time for an update

This event is also being advertised elsewhere (FADU))and things are moving on nicely with the following having been confirmed as attending:

Neil
Stoo
Bob
Martin
Paul BJE
David Lingham

with Rob as a possible

Eddie (Edbray) who lives locally will come along sometime on the Sunday.

The Old Tottiford Water Treatment Works

For those who would like to visit Eddie has kindly offered to give us access to the Old Tottiford Water Treatment Works on the Sunday morning. Tottiford is quite close to Bovey Tracey so it will be an easy visit and will provide something different from the moor to photograph for a few hours. The area around the reservoir is also full of images - see the two attached links for examples of the works and surrounds.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/edbray/8667804271/

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/tags/tottiford/interesting/


Many thanks to Eddie for providing the opportunity for us to visit such an interesting site.

It is looking good for the weekend so if you are still undecided to come along now is the time to make that decision! And remember I shall be firming up on the date soon so if you want to discuss that - don't delay.

Neil.
__________________
Neil Souch - www.mono-inthedark.co.uk

Just as an update for those of you that don't know the area, Tottiford WTW is fed from four Reservoirs, the furthest away is Fernworthy which is just outside Chagford (a pretty village on the moor) but there are three in close proximity to the Treatment Works.

Strangely enough the nearest to Tottiford WTW is Trenchford Reservoir and its embankment Dam looms over the lower works at Tottiford, the next reservoir is Tottiford which can be seen in the photographs that Neil has linked to, and the last and furthest away (although not actually that far) is Kennick Reservoir.

Both Tottiford & Trenchford Reservoirs have public access whilst Kennick Reservoir has access restricted to Fishermen (bit sexist but that's what the blurb says) only.

So, you can also do a 'google' on Trenchford too for more information or images.

Eddie,

Thank you for the extra information - most interesting.

Neil.

DATE NOW CONFIRMED

I now confirm the date for Dartmoor in January to be, as originally pasted, the weekend of the 24th - 27th of January, 2014.

The base hotel will be the Riverside Inn, Bovey Tracey, Devon. Full details of the event, the hotel and booking information should you need accommodation, can be found in my opening post.

UPDATED LIST

Neil - three nights at the Riverside
Stoo - three nights at the Riverside
Bob
Martin
Paul BJE
David Lingham

Rob is a possible

Eddie (Edbray) who lives locally will come along sometime on the Sunday.

Keith Tapscott who lives locally will come along sometime.

If you have any queries / questions please raise them here or send me a PM.

Dartmoor's a spectacular place to photograph for sure!

Yes indeed.

I have been going there for over 40 years and I can find images that excite me. The pubs are pretty good too

Neil.

More ancient stones than Glastonbury as well! The old quarries are always fascinating and you can get every season in one day...I remember sitting in a blizzard one easter reloading my darkslides somewhere near Beardown Man and made one of my all time favourite images at the stone row near South Zeal.

Black Dog said:

More ancient stones than Glastonbury as well! The old quarries are always fascinating and you can get every season in one day...I remember sitting in a blizzard one easter reloading my darkslides somewhere near Beardown Man and made one of my all time favourite images at the stone row near South Zeal.

Click to expand...

Yes it is all there and much more. I like the softer side of the area as well - along the rivers and streams etc. The autumn and winter are the best times to visit as it is now a very popular place in the summer. But having said that if you are prepared to walk a couple of miles off road even in the summer you can avoid the crowds.

Neil.

UPDATED LIST

UPDATED LIST - 24/09/13

Here we have a few more list alterations and additions to keep everyone up-to-date on who will be there, and when, over the weekend.

To date we have five staying at the Riverside which is about 50% of their rooms booked already by photographers If you are thinking of staying at the Riverside don't delay your booking otherwise you may be disappointed. Booking early at the Riverside is easy using the Riverside's own website. If you do this only a very small deposit will be taken to reserve a room and you will also have the option of cancelling (within a reasonable time frame) should need to do so.


As at 24/09/13

Neil - three nights at the Riverside
Stoo - three nights at the Riverside
Bob - three nights at the Riverside
Paul BJE - three nights at the Riverside
David Lingham - two nights at the Riverside (24th /25th)
Martin

Rob is a possible

Eddie (Edbray) who lives locally will come along sometime on the Sunday.

Keith Tapscott who lives locally will come along sometime.

If you have any queries / questions please raise them here or send me a PM.

Neil.

UPDATED LIST

UPDATED LIST - 25/09/13

Good news: Barry has returned from his sojourn to the Isle of Lewis and has signed up for three nights at the Riverside. Martin has also made his Riverside booking. So these two bookings bring us to a very healthy seven staying at the hotel If we carry on at this rate we shall soon have the Riverside completely booked out!

As at 25/09/13

Neil - three nights at the Riverside
Stoo - three nights at the Riverside
Bob - three nights at the Riverside
Paul BJE - three nights at the Riverside
David Lingham - two nights at the Riverside (24th /25th)
Martin - three nights at the Riverside
Barry - three nights at the Riverside

Rob is a possible

Eddie (Edbray) who lives locally will come along sometime on the Sunday.

Keith Tapscott who lives locally will come along sometime.

I am sure there are many more locals who could come out for a day or two - or just for a few hours - so why not come along and join us - you will be made most welcome and will be with like-minded photographers.

For those who have not been to the Riverside before you will be pleased to know they have a large free car park. So don't hold back on the amount of gear you bring as you will not have far to carry it to your hotel bedroom!

Also can I remind those staying at the Riverside, as well as those staying on in the evening, to bring along some work for our print sharing session. The print sharing session is usually held on the Saturday evening before dinner and sometimes afterwards as well. Although this is not set in stone because it will all depend on what we are doing and the weather - impromptu print sharing sessions can also happen at any convenient time over the weekend. So come prepared

I will be giving out further updates on the weekend as and when they happen, or are needed, so keep an eye on this thread.

If you have any queries / questions please raise them here or send me a PM.

Neil.

UPDATED LIST

UPDATED LIST - 27/09/13

I seem to be updating the list every other day - not complaining though as I am overwhelmed by the take-up

The latest addition is Tony Marlow - welcome aboard, Tony !

As at 27/09/13

Neil - three nights at the Riverside
Stoo - three nights at the Riverside
Bob - three nights at the Riverside
Paul BJE - three nights at the Riverside
David Lingham - two nights at the Riverside (24th /25th)
Martin - three nights at the Riverside
Barry - three nights at the Riverside
Tony - three nights at the Riverside

Rob is a possible

Eddie (Edbray) who lives locally will come along sometime on the Sunday.


Keith Tapscott who lives locally will come along sometime.


Neil.

UPDATED LIST - 10/10/13

We have another update!

Rob and Leo have now confirmed they will be joining us over the weekend and staying locally. This is great news as we have now reached eleven staying for the weekend and two, Eddie and Keith, turning up on the day.

We have run quite a few gatherings up and down the country but I can't recall one being so well attended as this one But don't let us stop there because it's 'all the more the merrier' as far as I'm concerned - so if you are still undecided make up your mind now and come along and join in. Either for just a few hours, if that's all the time you have, or for a night or two if you want to get more involved.

Going from Leo's response from the Riverside Inn it now seems all the rooms have now gone which is not a surprise as they only have about 12 letting rooms. So if you would like to join in and need accommodation I would suggest trying the Dolphin Hotel in Bovey Tracey (near the Riverside) or looking at B&Bs and small hotels in Newton Abbot, Paington and Torquay where some winter bargains can be had. I suggest these areas because they are within an easy drive to Bovey Tracey and low prices can be found.

As at 10/10/13

Neil - three nights at the Riverside
Stoo - three nights at the Riverside
Bob - three nights at the Riverside
Paul BJE - three nights at the Riverside
David Lingham - two nights at the Riverside (24th /25th)
Martin - three nights at the Riverside
Barry - three nights at the Riverside
Tony - three nights at the Riverside
Mark - Friday night at the hotel + Saturday
Rob - three nights - staying nearby
Leo - four nights - staying nearby

Eddie (Edbray) who lives locally will come along sometime on the Sunday.

See previous item on The Old Tottiford Water Treatment Works: http://www.film-and-darkroom-user.or...?t=8941&page=2

Keith Tapscott who lives locally will come along sometime.

If you have any queries about this weekend please raise them here or send me a PM.

Neil.
__________________
Neil Souch - www.mono-inthedark.co.uk

Just thought I would 'bump' this thread in case there are any other interested parties?

Old Tottiford Water Treatment Works visit cancelled.

I have just heard from Eddie that his proposed visit to the old water treatment works has now been cancelled due to family commitments. If you would like to visit the old water works on the Monday please contact Eddie direct.

Everything else planned for the weekend remains the same and in place.

As at 30/12/13

Neil - three nights at the Riverside
Stoo - three nights at the Riverside
Bob - three nights at the Riverside
Paul BJE - three nights at the Riverside
David Lingham - two nights at the Riverside (24th /25th)
Martin - three nights at the Riverside
Barry - three nights at the Riverside
Tony - three nights at the Riverside
Mark - Friday night at the hotel + Saturday
Rob - three nights - staying nearby
Leo - four nights - staying nearby


Keith Tapscott who lives locally will come along sometime.

If you have any queries about this weekend please raise them here or send me a PM.

Neil.

Tomorrow it is then

What a super weekend we have just had with great company and not too bad weather with Saturday being especially good. Many thanks for all who attended and for bringing along such a wonderful selection of images for us to share together over two evenings.

Neil.

Sadly I couldn't come but hopefully next year @!