| We were based at the Dilkhusa
Grand, a Shearings Hotel, very close
to the town centre and harbour |
|
The
accommodation was on an ALL INCLUSIVE basis. Needless to
say therefore that we made full use of the bar and entertainment
after the evening meal! The staff were a delight and the
limited parking was less of a concern than anticipated.
In fact all we could really fault was the lack of sandwiches
in the provided "lunchtime refreshment pack".
|
|
This
four
days of walking in North Devon and the western edge of Exmoor
brought together 45 rambler members from five of our groups:
Taunton Deane, South Somerset, Woodspring, Sedgemoor and Mendip.
Each
day there were two guided walks to choose from. If you have
the relevant tracklog disc you can look at the routes used
by clicking in the box below.
|
|
|
It
was somewhat overcast for Friday's walks at Simonsbath and Owen's group
which went up to Exehead had some fine drizzle to contend with, whereas
those on Hilary's walk along the river stayed dry. The phots are of
Owen's walk
| 
Danny and
Kaye from Sedgemoor Group |
Glenys from
Taunton Deane |
Anorak weather
now as we reach 400m but Dave seems oblivious |
| 
Tom and
Barbara from South Somerset enjoy a joke over a sandwich at Exehead |
On the way
back down Paul from Taunton Deane looks on whilst Mike gives Peggy
a help. |
Lunch stop
beside the river. Esme leads Rita and Alice across |
| 
Alice |
Poser Paul |
The steep
climb up to the road stretched the group out |
| 
And had
Kaye on her hands and knees |
A rest on
top with a nonchalant Mike, bedraggled Jill and Norman perched
on the gate |
Signing
in at the hotel from where Saturday's walks started |
|
|
Absolutely
fabulous sunny weather for Saturday's walks from the hotel in Ilfracombe,
both of which started along the old railway line and return along the
coastal path. The photos are from the shorter walk.
| 
The first
stop after half an hour along the old railway line at the top
reservoir above Upper Slade. Ted and Jenny on the left, Glenys
in the middle |
Hilary and
Rose |
The group
wonders what's going on -- actually they're looking at a "wild
flower" reserve at Lee! |
|
Wow what
a view |
Eddie and
another Jennie with the picture taking Glyns |
Ilfracombe
soon comes into view ahead |
| 
Margaret,
Jenny and Glennis block Ted's view |
Dorothy
has a welcome rest |
Ted draws
Paula's attention to something or other |
|
Good
weather for Saturday's walks from the Arlington, where most of those
choosing the shorter walk had time for a wander around this National
Trust property -- and tea in the gardens!
| 
Tony breezes
over a stile |
Madge is
more cautionus over this construction |
Mike |
| 
Jill and
Mary |
We finally
stopped for a break halfway down the hill to Button Bridge. I
missed Rod's spectacular upending not long afterwards |
Derek of
South Somerset |
| 
Good planning?!!
We met Norman's group on the old railway line section and joined
them to listen to information he had to pass on |
Derek and
Ann get started on their lunch |
A long climb
up to Shirwell started between lines of trees |
| 
Through
which dappled sunlight streamed through |
The climbing
eased as we came out onto open pastureland and panoramic views |
Emily rehydrates
on our final stop |
|
|
And
Monday was a bonus, with the forecast improved immeasureably from that
given at the beginning of the week. Bob's group experienced one short
sharp shower but otherwise it was a pleasant sunny day for the walks
from Croyde which both returned via Putsborough along the coastal path
| 
Jenny |
This tricky
wall with overhanging vegetation proved quite an obstacle |
Margaret
has a point to make to Gus and Francoise is in a world of her
own |
| 
Enjoying
the coast path views with Alan and Ditcheat Paula on the left,
Francoise in the middle and Dilys (?) on the right |
Even the
view at Putsborough isn't enough to interrupt female conversation |
This lot
seem pleased to have finished the climb up from the carpark |
|
Reg inspects
the contents of his sandwich at Baggy Point |
A pensive
Hilary |
The French
Connection - Francoise- with Paula and Aileen |
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