EXMOOR WALKING HOLIDAYS WALKING GROUP
May 2010
Hi Everyone
I trust you are all well and looking forward to a fabulous summer. Here at the Yarn Market Hotel we have been very busy with the North Devon Walking Festival, the South West Coast Path Walking Holiday and the meeting of the Exmoor Walking Holidays Walking Group – a very busy May indeed.
South West Coast Path Holiday.
On Tuesday, 4 May fourteen of us (including Antony and Angela) set off walking the first part of the South West Coast Path, Minehead to Combe Martin - a total of 35 miles over 4 days. Antony and Angela organised transport for us to the start and end of each day, they provided our packed lunches and also met us with tea and coffees during our refreshment stops. Tuesday morning, on arrival at Minehead, with the sun shining, we started our climb on to North Hill for a great days walking that took us over Selworthy Common on to Bossington and across part of the beach and fields to meet the transport at Porlock Weir. Tuesday was just the best day with views all around and a surprise when Ebby startled two deer in the bushes.
Wednesday we visited Culbone Church where we were treated to coffee and biscuits by Antony and Angela.
We enjoyed walking through Culbone Wood and onto the Glenthorne Estate ending the day near the lighthouse below Countisbury Hill.
The week continued with just one morning of misty rain and low cloud on Thursday. It was disappointing that we did not get the views into Lynmouth Bay but even that did not stop the enthusiasm for exploring.
Though tempted by the easier option I am pleased that no-one took the Lynmouth Venicular Railway to Lynton. Instead we all opted for the climb up to Lynton and the pleasant walk to the Valley of The Rocks where we met Antony for lunch. On past Lee Abbey to Martinhoe and Woody Bay and on to Heddon’s Mouth for a welcome drink at the Hunters Inn at the end of the day. The scenery was excellent and the gradients ‘interesting’.
Friday we started from Hunters Inn and took the assent along Heddon’s Mouth Cleave amongst spectacular scenery heading on towards Combe Martin. At the coffee stop we were pleased to see Bryan Cath. organiser of the North Devon Walking Festival, who arrived to give us encouragement. Having been warned of one last steep climb at Sherrycombe the group set off to liaise close to Great Hangman for our lunch stop. Lunch shows us huddled against the wall to shelter from the very strong wind. As you can see from the photos out came the hats, gloves etc as it was very cold.
Last lap up and over Great Hangman. Some of us also ascended Little Hangman before dropping down into Combe Martin for a very well earned Cream Tea provided by Antony and Angela in a local hotel.
The end of the South West Coastal Path at Combe Martin
During the evening dinner on Friday evening certificates were given out to those completing the whole of the first section. As some people had shown an interest in walking the second section Combe Martin to Barnstaple Antony was quick to provide information re dates and costings that are available from the Yarn Market Hotel. It is hoped that walking this further section of the South West Coastal Path will take place with an arrival date of Sunday, 17 October. Four days walking Monday. 18 – Thursday, 21 October – leaving for home on Friday, 22 October. At present this is subject to the numbers of people wishing to participate so confirmation and exact costings will follow.
If you are interested in walking the 2nd section of the South West Coast Path further information is available from myself Kathy Oliver 01454 318576 or the Yarn Market Hotel 01643 821425
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Exmoor Walking Holidays Walking Group Friday, 7 May – Sunday, 9 May
Saturday, 8 May
Waking up to a wet morning we left the hotel for Horner Woods near Porlock for a climb up to Dunkery Beacon. Although the cloud had risen off the top during our walk by the time we got there it was raining heavily and we also had some hailstones. Determined to enjoy our day we ascended to the cairn and topograph in very wet and windy conditions. We walked eastwards along part of the Macmillan Way to descend to Webbers Post. Our walk concluded with a very enjoyable walk back to Horner through the woods to the Tea Rooms where we dried out with a cream tea. We had a good walk but it was surprisingly very cold and to one of us (me) very wet inside my waterproof as it was leaking. Needless to say I now have a new waterproof!!
Sunday, 9 May
With the weather more settled we had a lift from Antony to County Gate where we descended to Brendon and followed the river to Watersmeet and on to Lynmouth.
After spending time in Lynmouth we took the open top bus back to Minehead. The views from the top deck of the bus were excellent but this did necessitate a scary bus ride down Porlock Hill. After leaving the bus at Minehead we walked back to Dunster via Dunster Beach. A walk of approx 10 miles. We took the usual opportunity to end our weekend with a cream tea prior to setting off home.
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Exmoor Walking Holidays Walking Group – September 2010
Following discussions with the Yarn Market Hotel I am now able to confirm the details of the Exmoor Walking Group meeting in September.
Arrive Wednesday, 29th September – walk Thursday, 30th September & Friday, 1st October and then depart for home - £110
Arrive Friday, 1st October – walk Saturday, 2nd October & Sunday, 3rd October and then depart for home - £130
As previously a discount of £10 is offered to anyone wishing to combine the two breaks for a longer stay.
Foreward Anouncement. Christmas Walking break 17th - 19th December 2010 - more details to follow
Guests who would like to stay for an additional night on Sunday can do so as an optional extra for £60 Dinner Bed and Breakfast with an extra walk on the Monday before departure
Please contact Kathy Oliver, Membership Secretary (Kathy.Oliver@blueyonder.co.uk) to join the walking group and contact the Yarn Market Hotel Tel: 01643 821425 as soon as possible to book your accommodation quoting Exmoor Walking Holidays Walking Group.
