Walking around the Valley of Rocks

A very hot Sun day, even with a light breeze on the coast. We had Cherry Pie at Mother Meldrums, and took in the epic views below Castle Rock. I have no head for heights but I challenge myself to go a little further along the path each time but looking over the edge its a long way down and a long way up!!. TBF its an easy walk for most people. 

This trail forms part of the South West Coast Path, from here you can enjoy the fabulous views across the Bristol Channel, clear azure water across to Wales, sit a while or walk further on to complete the loop or head for Lynton. No goats today but the sound of leather on willow as the Lynton and Lynmouth Cricket Club played a perfect pitch under Rugged Jack.  

It’s an epic site geology-wise but also a place of myths and legends that inspired poets and writers. As you walk down passed the cricket pitch Rugged Jack and Castle Rock formations veer up beyond on the right, looming over the valley on the left is another rock formation known as the Devil’s Cheese Wring, home of white witch Mother Meldrum who featured in RD Blackmore’s Lorna Doone. The tearoom is named after that, there was for years, a scarecrow witch on a broomstick, hanging from a tree but this was taken down for fear of upsetting folk.

There was a smattering of heather, mainly bracken and coastal grass filled this time of year and I noticed what looked like a lot of Ragwort, a pretty yellow, daisylike wild flower dotted through the grassland and between the rocks. It’s brilliant for insects and pollinators, harmful to cattle and horses, not sure about feral goats, lets hope not.

I've made a compilation of photos and a video of a snippet of the match see Youtube link below:

Into the Valley

Match Day at Lynton and Lynmoth Cricket Club

 

Pat Adams' North Devon Focus. My North Devon Coast & Country Chronicle

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"Lynton and Lynmouth Cricket Club was established in 1876. The ground, which is thought of by many as the most picturesque in England, is situated in the centre of The Valley of Rocks, between two giant tors, with sweeping views down to the sea.".

Letting off steam at Woody Bay Station for Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday 2022

Far from the madding bank holiday beach crowds, we enjoyed a sunny start to the Platinum Jubilee weekend with a visit to Woody Bay Station in the heart of Exmoor National Park.

Pristine is the only word you can use to describe, the locomotive and carriages of the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway lovingly restored by a team of volunteers. We were greeted by a smiling bowler-hatted “Stan” aka Stan Laurel from 'Laurel and Hardy do Devon' and the smart uniformed Station Master before boarding the train.

A delightful trip on the narrow-gauge track rolling through stunning Exmoor countryside, with views out the window across the land with sheep and gamboling lambs, to the coast. Green fields all the way to Killington Lane Halt with a short rest to step out and enjoy the scenery while the engine shunted its way up and back for the return. Keeping up with railway protocol, a poignant moment captured when the “Token” was exchanged between the signalman and the engine driver. Even more poignant as this was the driver’s first time in charge of the train watched over by his long experienced mate. The Station building was bedecked with bunting and flags, Platinum Jubilee cupcakes and a right royal HM70 celebration cake with her majesty’s smile taking centre stage.

Your ticket is valid for the day giving you the option to ride the train as many times as you like, there are plenty of the heritage carriages so you don’t need to share with strangers if you don’t want to, there is even a first class carriage right behind the engine. Educational for schools and railway enthusiasts, fun for families and those with four-legged friends are welcome to go walkies on the Woodland Trail.

Chuffing sound, the puff of smoke and the toot of the whistle ……nostalgia …..pure magic.

Please scroll down for links to the Woody Bay Station website, information and history of the railway and how you can support the Railway Trust’s plans to extend the track bed.

• Check the plans to extend the railway - Planning News Update 18th May 2022 | The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway (lynton-rail.co.uk)
• Please register your support for the L&B Railway Trust online with Exmoor National Park

Full steam ahead

Platinum Jubilee Cakes in honour of Her Majesty 

 Handing over the token at Killington Lane Halt

Movie legend look-a-like on the platform

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All photos copyright Pat and Brett Adams (All rights reserved)

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CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTO ALBUM 'LETTING OFF STEAM 2022' ON FLICKR 

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CLICK HERE to find out all about Lynton and Barnstaple railway

• The only steam railway in the UK where passengers travel in Victorian railway carriages designed in the 1890s
• Steam trains through rolling countryside, with views out to wild moorland and the rugged coastline.
• Originally opened in 1898, and closed in 1935; what you can see today at Woody Bay is just the beginning of an exciting project to rebuild one of the world's most famous and picturesque narrow-gauge railways; the legendary Lynton & Barnstaple Railway.
• You board your train - comprised of restored heritage carriages - at Woody Bay Station, and travel to Killington Lane and back on a two-mile round trip behind a narrow-gauge steam locomotive.

>Planning News Update 18th May 2022 | The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway (lynton-rail.co.uk)

>https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/special-events

>https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/railway

>Entertainers 'Laurel and Hardy do Devon' are on Facebook

Pitch Perfect.. Sights and sounds at The Valley of Rocks

So many sights and sounds at The Valley of Rocks, birdsong, bees buzzing, goats bleating or baahing (do goats baah like sheep) and the whack of leather on willow. Sounds like the lads are getting ready for the season down below. Practice makes perfect.  

“Lynton and Lynmouth Cricket Club was established in 1876. The ground, which is thought of by many as the most picturesque in England, is situated in the centre of The Valley of Rocks, between two giant tors, with sweeping views down to the sea.” 

I think that's a pretty good description of the view.

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Sign of the Cross. Remembering the Lynmouth Flood Disaster

The Lynmouth Flood August 15th 1952.

“When the Bishop of Exeter, the Right Reverend C. Mortimer preached at the Memorial Service held a fortnight after the disaster in 1952 he said that when it was all over a cross should be erected where the water broke through.

The Bishop said, ‘A cross is a sign, not simply of death, but of death followed by resurrection’.”

On the 50th Anniversary of the disaster the Lord Lieutenant of Devon unveiled the memorial wooden cross on the Lyndale Bridge as seen in the photograph here.

There is permanent free exhibition at the Flood Memorial Hall opposite Lynmouth Harbour.

Exhibits include a  model of the village pre-flood, along with images of the buildings which were destroyed, films, photographs and personal accounts.

Today Lynmouth has been truly resurrected, a vibrant place where visitors flock from all around the world. Lynton and Lymouth "Where the moor meets the sea" is on the dramatic Exmoor Coast and is also famous for the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, Glen Lyn Gorge, Watersmeet, the Valley of Rocks and more....

 The Memorial Cross for the victims of the Lynmouth Flood Disaster. Photo Lynmouth August 2017 Pat Adams

Press cuttings on show inside the Flood Memorial Hall - Photo Pat Adams

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Tap here for information on the Flood Memorial Hall. 

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Tap here for Lynton and Lynmouth Tourist Information Centre

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynmouth_Flood

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2192926.stm

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02651/Southwest_England_2651416a.pdf

S is for SNAKE. Watch where you're walking on hot balmy days.

Found this little critter taking a sunny wander on the busy coast road at the Valley of Rocks, Lynton & Lynmouth on Sunday 7th June. Thanks to watching the feature on Adders on  BBC Springwatch recently I recognised it as a female Adder. I have never seen one before as they tend to hunker down in the undergrowth. We moved it back to the safety of the bracken, which is probably wrong but it was about to get squashed by a car! If you are a walker, explorer or dog walker you might want to read this Safety Note from Devon Wildlife Trust http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/species/Adder/

 

Adder bites are rarely fatal to a healthy adult human but medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. If you are concerned about the safety of your dog, please refer to this ARC leaflet: http://www.arc-trust.org/…/Docume…/Dogs-n-Adders-leaflet.pdf

 

Female Adder

 

Female Adder 

Coast Road below at Valley of Rocks

Photos Pat Adams North Devon Focus (All rights reserved)