As Friday is usually a work day I was determined to make sure I use my day off to do something I enjoy, I decided on Exmoor, an hour's drive to a little village on the East Lyn river.
My aim is to walk the river down through watersmeet and into Lynmouth.
I arrived at the village hall in Brendon about 10.30 paid my two quid to park for the day, get my boots on and start my walk along the river, about a mile in and I reach the Rockford inn and cross the river to the opposite side, the flow of the water is incredible and the trees are bare with all the leaves on the ground
Its exceptionally quiet, normally this route is buzzing with people.
Time for some Spotify music and just tip along, about three miles and I reach the very deserted National trust cafe at watersmeet, closed for winter, it's the first time I've passed here and not seen a hype of activity, the only thing I see is a single herron just sat looking for lunch.
Press on down to Lynmouth 😃 should arrive about 12.00 ready for lunch.
It's very quiet when I get there a few little shops open trying to make some money from the few bodies kicking about, not only have they faced Covid 19 all summer, now they have to try and make money without tourist's.
I opt for a cafe I've used before, above the tourist information, with cracking views.
NHS app done the young lady tells me they have a Christmas special 😃 turkey and cranberry with a nice little salad, that will do, and a cappuccino and slice of that nice yoghurt flapjack, choose your seat she said your the only one in, sea view it is then.
Lunch done dried off from the last shower, I intend on heading back the same way, it's 1pm the valley of the rock's is calling 1.5 miles😃 uphill.
Let's do it.
As I climb up to Lynton the views are spectacular, the turkey sandwich is making it harder, but I'm doing this, twelve years in Somerset and I still haven't seen the rock's.
At the top a rainbow just appears like it's out of the sea, the walk along the coast path is slightly high, but it doesn't put some mad goats off trying to get the best lunch, no idea how they got down there, but one slip and they'll be wet😂😂
The first sight of the rock's come into view and I'm not disappointed at all, what a sight, just looks like they have landed there😃 how haven't I been here before now.
Right what now do I walk back the same way😀 no I don't do that, up to Lynton it is then, again I've never been to Lynton, but I'm really impressed, what a lovely village, even treated to some lovely Nuns out for a walk, wouldn't have a selfie with me, not even a well spaced two metre one🤣
I meander through Lynton out to the other side where I meet the main road and another river the West Lynn.
So I'm going to walk some of that as well 😂 up the hill I go, over a bridge and up another big hill, those that have been walking with me before will know I don't do maps or planning 😂 just wing it follow your nose, as I get higher and higher, the river disappears in the distance, then I see Lynmouth a bit in the distance, well alot.
Do I turn back or carry on, carry on I do, slightly worried I'm going to be doing the last few mile in the dark 😂 after what seems like hours I finally relise I'm now on the other side of the East Lynn river and very high up, slowly I make my way down to the carpark, another 30 minutes or so, at the bottom, I'm met by questions from some coast guard chaps, have seen anyone in distress or hurt, No I reply, did you hear anyone shouting for help, No is my reply, the only thing I could hear coming down there was Comfortably Numb😀 strange look back from both of them, pointing to my Bluetooth headphones, Pink Floyd. 😂
Finally back in ground level it's after 3pm and I still have about 5 miles to get back to the car, quick coffee from my flask, strap my old Knee up, and then I'm off again.
I really didn't fancy walking this route in the dark 😂 so I just keep going and going, untill I finally see the Rockford Inn, not that far now but it is getting dark and it's peeing down.
It's now after 4 and it is dark, before long is see the village hall and the car is still there😀 thank God, I have a silly thought, hopefully the car keys are still in my bag😂
21 km or 13.5 mile walked today, I never get bored of this wonderful area, and I have seen new things today, this beats work any day, now time to drive home, a good soak and a beer😀Happy Weekend everyone 😃😃😃🤣🤣
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