174 ^^ Ancient Stone Crosses the ancient track from Ashburton and Buckfast to Plympton, which we have already seen crossing Ugborough moor at Spurrell's Cross, and at other points^ From the latter place eastward to the spot at which we have now arrived, its course was principally over the moor, and though only discernible here and there, I have been able to trace it sufficiently to determine the line it took between the two points. It is interesting as showing the way which the traveller in the old days followed when passing along the southern edge of Dartmoor. Eastward of Spurrell's Cross the track is plainly to be seen at a ford over the West Glaze, and again near the enclosures of Merrifield Farm, on the edge of Brent Moor. Here, in the formation of a newtake, care was taken not to obstruct the path. The former is detached from the rest of the enclosures, a narrow strip of common being left between, over which the old road runs. A similar arrangement may be seen on Cudlipp Town Down, and in other places, both on the fringe of the waste and in the forest. Not far from this the track leaves the moor, and descends towards the Avon, this part of it being known as Diamond Lane. It is steep, and exceedingly rough, and suitable only as a bridle path ; but a tradition existing in the locality speaks of a coach and four horses having once been driven through it. This seems to preserve the recollection of former traffic over it.t The track probably crossed the Avon at a ford somewhere near the present Shipley Bridge, and running over the down by Yolland Farm, where there is still a path, reached the point at which we have now struck it. But we again leave the old path, and turning into the lane on our right shall cross Gigley Bridge. Skirting Brent Hill, and passing through Lutton we shall descend to the village whence we set out, having thus made the circuit of the moor. Our examination of these time-worn relics has now terminated, and we shall bid adieu to the wild country in which they stand.
- pp. 26, 34, ante,
t There is a granite trough in Diamond Lane, overgrown with moss* which the country people suppose to have been made for passing ponies to drink from. But, as there are no means of supplying it with water, this does not seem likely. It was no doubt hollowed out on the spot with the intention of removing it to some farm, and was afterwards abandoned.
