The tramway was built from granite slabs around 1820 to transport granite from the quarry to London via Teignmouth. We followed the tracks into the quarry itself, browsed the last remaining evidence of the industry that worked there more than a century ago, then took to the rough moorland descent from Smallacombe Rocks and enjoyed lunch by the Becka Brook in the secluded woodlands at the base of the valley. Everyone was surprised when Eliot's mobile phone managed to make a call to Julian from this isolated location.

After a stiff climb we enjoyed the hospitality of the medieval village near Greator, settling in the living quarters for a well-earned rest: the lack of walls, doors and a roof did not bother us too much. At Houndtor the wind was very strong, so we continued quickly to Jay's Grave and the short track to Widecombe for our tea stop. Showers became more frequent for the final leg of our journey through Spitchwick, but we still managed to include a couple more tracks before we eventually arrived home.