Spring Walk June 2009, Exmoor (Exford & Minehead)
04/6/2009-8/6/2009
Thursday 4th June 2009,
Travel day, after an early start, all had an uneventful journey to Wheddon cross in the village car park. We arrived in several cars. Dick, Richard and Ian in car 1, Pat, Steve and John car 2, Paul, Dave and Graham in car 3 & Norman and Andy arrived on their own. Pete met us that night at the Hostel.
Lunch was taken at the Rest and Be Thankful with all the fare good and we were thankful.
After lunch we went for a circular walk from the car park up to Dunkery Hill via Steadway farm, North Combe, Spangate Grove, Hanny Combe on to the Macmillan way West just before Brockwell. Then on up the Macmillan Way West until the path from Rex Stile Head crossed, then taking this path down to Dunkery Errish, Ford Drapers Way, Steadway Farm and back to the cars. Then it was to Exford Hostel for wash and change before the evening activities ( watering and feeding ).
All did the walk via the same route apart from Norman and Dick who cut out one set of climbs. Dick cut off at Spangate Land followed a track to the road under Dunkery Hill, up the road to Rex Stile Head across to Robin How and John How Cairns before returning to meet the others on the Macmillan Way West.
We had seen wild Horses, Deer and heard Cuckoo’s as we walked. Dick and John tried looking for insects at ground level, none were found, as the noise of their sudden falls sent everything into hiding.
Food was taken at the White Horse, good for both food and beer. Then onto the George Hotel for a nightcap before retiring.
The weather had been good all day though a bit warm for walking with bright sun in the afternoon (better than rain as we were to find later in the weekend).
Friday 5th June 2009
Exford to Tarr Steps to Exford
The weather started fine and bright before clouding over with an odd spot of rain but not enough to get wet though.
The walk left Exford via Court Farm, Road Hill, Room Hill, Comer’s Gate, Winsford Hill to the trig point. Then to Higher Knaplock, Knaplock, Watery Lane, River Barle to Tarr Steps. Lunch was taken at the Tarr Farm Inn. Very Good. At Tarr Farm Inn lots of birds were seen including Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blue and Great Tits, Nut Hatch, Wagtails, Sparrow, Robin, Blackbird and House Martin.
The return journey was up the River Barle to Withypool tea rooms, via the Two Moors Way, Mill Bridge, and Room Hill then back as the route out. Many cream teas were taken at Withypool. Pat managed to obtain an extra helping of scones for himself & Steve after complimenting the owner on her fare. Steve & Pat scoffed the lot after many jibes from Andy & John about not being able to finish them and perhaps sharing some to them.
All walked apart from Pete and Norman who moved cars then met the others for lunch and then walked up the river to Withypool before driving back to the Hostel (Dick joined them).
Roland joined us that evening before we went on our rounds. There was a duo playing at the George Hotel not bad. John remarked on the abundance of ginger headed locals in the hotel (maybe some in-breeding).
Saturday 6th 2009
Exford to Minehead
The weather had broke. We woke up to torrential rail. Several plans changed as a clap of thunder greeted us as we left the Hostel.
Andy, Paul, Graham, Ian, Pat, Steve, Dave and John togged up in waterproofs to walk to Dunster. They left Exford on the Samartans Way South West up to the road, on to Porlock Post and the Macmillan Way West, staying on the way over Dunkery Beacon. Then on to Dunkery Hill, Brockwell, Wootton Courtenay, Wootton Common, Hole’s Corner & Dunster. A light bite was taken in a tea room by some in Dunster. All met up eventually in the Luttrel Arms to dry out and take a few beers.
Dick, Roland, Richard, Norman and Pete moved some cars to Minehead before walking into town. They then took the West Somerset Railway to Watchet for a look around and lunch. Whilst on the railway they saw the new Steam Locomotive, Tornado. After lunch they got a train back to Dunster then walked up to meet the others. Norman, Andy and Pat left by taxi as they had to go back to Exford and get their cars. The rest walked back via Butter Cross, road to Ellicombe, Combeland Well, Dunster Lodge to the Hostel.
As it was still raining persistently taxis were arranged to go to the Queen’s Head in Minehead town for evening refreshment. Again we had good beers and food. The hostel had a group of teenagers in but we did not hear much once we retired.
Sunday 7th June 2009
The weather was cloudy but fine, remaining so until lunch time when it rained.
Paul, Andy, Roland, Steve, Pat, Ian, Graham, Dave and John all set of to Porlock. Their route was from the hostel through Staunton Plantation up to the Macmillan Way West staying on that until the trig point at Wooton Common. Then heading to Headon Cross, East Lynch and Selworthy, where they found a good tea room. Resuming suitably refreshed they carried on down past Selworthy Farm to Brandish Street, West Luccombe Farm, Higher Doverhay and into Porlock making for the Ship Inn for Lunch.
After lunch they returned via the coast path through Bossington to Hurlestone Point then up to Selworthy Beacon, Dean’s Lane, Deans Cross, East Lynch and Headon Cross then returning to the hostel by the outward route.
Dick, Richard, Norman and Pete all went to Dunster for a look round to see all the sights but not each other. Pete and Norman met the others at the tea rooms before Norman went home. Norman passed some of the walkers in Porlock High Street later. After Dunster Dick and Richard went to Porlock for a look round and a walk down to the sea when it started to rain, so they returned to meet the others in the Ship Inn. Again good food and beers.
After lunch Pete, Pat and Roland joined Dick and Richard for a walk around Porlock Weir before returning to the hostel. On the walk back Andy developed a blister so started to walk down the road just as Pete came past so he got a lift back. John tried to study insects again but the noise of his fall sent everything into hiding.
It had been decided to go to the Britannia Inn for evening food but they did not serve food on Sunday nights (beer was good though); so it was on to The Queens Head but alas, they were not doing food. We moved on to The Wellington, a Weatherspoon’s pub which was doing food. After dinner we went back to the Queens Head for a drink.
When it was time to return to the hostel we tried for a taxi. Where there had been loads on Saturday there was only 2 on Sunday night. One taxi made 3 trips to get us all back!
Monday 8th June 2009
Home Day, weather fine but cloudy & cool.
Dick and Richard went for a walk around Minehead finding the start of the South West Coast path (a new statue led the way), then going on to meet the others for lunch.
Paul, Graham, Dave, Ian and Andy went for a short walk on the Quantock’s before joining the rest.
Pat, Steve, John, Roland and Pete went to Dunster first to try and find Pat’s lost pole before meeting the rest.
All met at Bishops Lydeard at the West Somerset Railway to see the Tornado steam loco. After a light lunch it was on the road to home apart from Roland who stayed down there for the week.
