Newbie, and a question about less-abled letterboxing?

Hi all, I moved near to Yelverton 4 months ago and hope to do a bit of letterboxing when I'm able.

I found my first letterbox, close to Wistman's Wood, about 8 years ago while on holiday from Kent and I always wanted to get more involved when I could move down here. I've still got the notebook I bought for the occasion with my one stamp on the first page!

Unfortunately I've not been well for the last 4-5 years and still have a lot of pain when walking, although I can usually drive ok, and I was wondering if there are many boxes quite near to a road?

Or even is there might be a group to help less-abled people enjoy letterboxing?

I know the number of boxes available to me will be limited, but if I knew there are some around then I'd be happy to potter around looking for them, but I must stay no more than around half a mile (on a very good day!) from my car. I can't do much climbing either

Any advice gratefully appreciated

Rowan,

You should get a few around Saddle Tor area.

I don't mean to pry but you say you can't go further than a 1/2 mile from the car, is that because you are unaided?

Happy to meet up with you somewhere for a bit of letterboxing if company would help?

Hi Mark&Sam, there is that, not too keen going too far on my own for safety reasons, but it's mainly because it's often too painful to walk much.

It would be lovely to meet up with others, but I'd feel happier if there was an established group to join in with so I wouldn't feel like I was letting anyone down if I couldn't make it on the day - my condition can change overnight so it's impossible to plan ahead.

Maybe it would be more sensible to wait for my illness(es) to improve before I start letterboxing, but as there is no cure and they're finding it hard to find something to control it, I might end up waiting forever! Getting fed up not having a life, especially with spring almost here again, so thought I might try a bit of easy letterboxing if there is such a thing.

I often have a drive around the Moor so next time I'll go to Saddle Tor and see what I can see

Hi, if you eventually get the catalogue and updates there are quite a few series that come out called 'roadies'. The newest set is Hopping Around Dartmoor. These boxes are VERY close to the road, some just paces. As you gain confidence about being on the moor and your illness gets better you will eventually walk a bit further into the moor. I know what you mean about letting people down when you have made arrangements to meet, then wake up and find you can't walk. I walk on my own and have done for years now. Its great becuase when I get up, if I don't feel like going out, I don't go - simple. If you read a few more of the posts on here, you will learn a great deal about our 'sport'

Ooh thanks SS, that sounds interesting! Where can I get the catalogue you mention? I hope it's not the 100 club catalogue that I've read about, that would take me forever

In a couple of weeks (when the clocks change) you can get one from Lee Moor Village hall on the sunday and meet hundreds of fellow letterboxers as well as collect a lot of one day stamps.
If you want a lot more stamps just go to Princetown the night before for the premeet At the Prince of Wales - brilliant food great beer and about 200 boxes!!!!

rowan wrote: <snip> Where can I get the catalogue you mention? I hope it's not the 100 club catalogue that I've read about, that would take me forever

Hi welcome. It is no longer a requirement to have found 100 boxes before you can purcase the catalogue. If you do get to Lee Moor for the Meet, you will be able to buy a catalogue. Good Hunting.

i think last year nik i ended up over 300 stamps from the ones i missed before they brought them in. hopefully ill make this year as im on leave from the ship of death, but hope to travel up on the thursday for some boxing..

Also there are the letterboxes in buildings on dartmoor, such as pubs, cafes etc.... not quite the same as hunting for them under rocks but many of them are registered.

Steph

saddle tor is close to the car park also bonehill rocks is very close ... if u want in the car park !!!! bottom of hound tor a cafe called hound of the basket meals ....
________
F151

Thanks for the tips everyone
It might be a bit longer than I'd hoped before I can get out as I've taken a slight turn for the worse again, so I'll come back here when I'm getting better.

x

I have put some boxes out, and thinking of the less able people I have been putting a couple near tracks with easy access.

Hi everyone, 18 months later and I'm back although not much better, in fact I can rarely walk even half a mile these days!
BUT every time I have a drive up on the Moor I find myself wondering if there's a box nearby.

Then I received my latest Dartmoor News mag and read about the Autumn meet in Princetown, and a reminder about the 'roadies' as mentioned above, so here I am, ready to learn from the experts so I'm ready to have a look round for boxes on the days that I'm able to walk