Westward Ho! Strandline on a Blue Flag Beach

Quiet evening walk at low tide, love looking for standout shapes from sea to shore and sky. 

Westward Ho! celebrates its 21st year as a Blue Flag beach, two miles of golden sand popular all year round with surfers, kyakers, supboarders, kitesurfers, windsurfers. I have been photographing this beach for well over twenty years, I love the changing light, reflections, cloud formations and of course any water sports activity, beachwalking silhouettes or beachcombing finds. The shots are from the naturally formed Pebbleridge to the Atlantic Ocean Saturday 13 July.  (See video below)

The Pebbleridge is formed when debris from rock falls further up the North Devon Coast is washed ashore at Westward Ho! Boulders, cobbles and pebbles are pounded by the awesome power of the waves and flung back on the beach. You can see the different colours and textures of the rock which form the ridge. The huge rocks by the slipway have to be returned or replaced when huge Spring tides and Winter storms reek havoc on this part of the coast.  

• Looking down graphic design - sand patterns, pebbles, seaweed, crab, shells, seapotato

• Looking up sun, moon, blues ky and cloud formations

• Looking out across the ocean, surfers and paddleboarders, Lundy Island on the horizon, next stop America -

In March 2022 *North Devon was formally announced as the 12th World Surfing Reserve alongside iconic surfing locations around the world. North Devon main surfing locations include Croyde Bay,Woolacombe.

 

 

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 Westward Ho! and The Pebbleridge are featured pages on the main 

North Devon Focus Website - or see links in Right Hand Column n this Blog

 

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North Devon beaches receive national recognition 

**Croyde Beach won the prestigious Blue Flag Beach Award in 2023
**Woolacombe Beach Voted Number 1 in the UK on Tripadvisor (February 2016)

**Woolacombe was selected as The Sunday Times Best Beach of 2021
**Westward Ho! is an award winning Blue Flag Beach. The Blue Flag is the international standard for the best beaches in the world.

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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Bursting with life. A country walk on the North Devon Coast

I love it when the sun breaks through the trees. I always try to capture a sunburst and I try even harder not to look into the sun to do it.

It was as warm as a Summer's day on the North Devon Coast today. I think it may have made it into the record books as one of the hottest October days for some time. 

As I wandered down the track towards the coast there was a lot of leaf fall, not much fall colour. The old Beech leaves are still green, I normally wait until November for the leaves to turn. Looks as though the National Trust have been working hard mowing the coastal meadows and clearing up the Bracken. The old Apple Tree must have weighed heavy with apples, lots of juicy red ones now lying on the ground important for birds, bugs and wildlife stocking up for the winter. The newly renovated orchard now has a seat and will make a magical resting place for tired walkers. I miss the flowering then berry-filled Hawthorn but the plus side of losing that will be the sight of apple blossom in the years to come.

There was one huge fungi on the trunk of one of the old Beech trees last year, this year they are climbing up the trunk, mycelium at its best or worst if they are damaging the tree.

It was really hot on the coast path overlooking Bideford Bay and there were a few wildflowers still blooming beside the track. Devil's Bit Scabious, Red Campion, Fumitory, Autumn Hawkbit, Hawkweed and Yarrow. A few solitary bees but my attention was taken by a movement on the Yarrow,  a wonderfully fluttery teeny butterfly, a Small Copper. I watched the other day as a pair were dancing together in ,the permaculture garden at Tapeley. A fleeting moment, then it was gone, much like the Sunburst. (Article Pat Adams 10/10/2018)

 

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All articles and photos copyright Pat Adams North Devon Focus (All rights reserved)

Stepping up to the South West Coast Path Challenge 2016.

Following the inaugural South West Coast Path Challenge in 2015, the next great stomp for charity kicks off on Saturday for a month-long series of events to raise funds to help protect this National Trail.

Organised by the South West Coast Path Association in partnership with the National Trust, registered participants are invited to set their own challenge or take part in one of the organised walks taking place throughout October.

Beginning with a 10-mile walk from Minehead to Porlock on Saturday (1^st October), around 70 people are taking part, completing the first leg of the 630-mile route that provides continuous coastal access around the entire south west peninsula.

Among the participants are 14 school children from Wellington School. Their teacher, Mr Nigel Smith said:

“Wellington School are proud to support the Association’s Challenge as the students use the path for their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award and believe that it is vital to protect and preserve the path for future generations to enjoy.”

A husband and wife team have joined forces with their friends as part of their own challenge to eventually walk the entire 630-mile length of the South West Coast Path.

Keith Bailey said:

“I started my journey walking from South Haven Point in Dorset, the official end point of the Coast Path. The Minehead Challenge gives my wife Wendy and I the opportunity to walk the first section and so our future walks will now fill in the gaps in between.”

“Fundraising to enable the volunteers and teams to continue their amazing work is essential - particularly as government and local authority budgets come under increasing strain. I and my fellow team members are looking forward to contributing, albeit in a small way, to the continued funding needs whilst having an enjoyable day together on the Somerset coastline.”

Setting off from the start marker in Minehead, the route takes in the rugged moorland countryside and the highest coastline in England. Highlights include the stunning Exmoor scenery and a chance to spot rare plants and animals, including red deer.

You’ll witness the evidence of coastal erosion, where the 6000 year old shingle ridge across Porlock Bay was breached, resulting in dramatic flooding of the fields behind at each high tide to form Porlock Weir, where the walk ends.

If that gives you a taste for this coastal odyssey, you can join another 10-mile walk from Durlston to South Haven Point at the end of the month on Saturday 29^th October.

Last year’s event saw more than 700 people clocking up around 9,000 miles and raising thousands of pounds in sponsorship. It is hoped that this record will be beaten and with more than 300 people taking place this weekend alone, it’s on track for success.

Money raised will go towards Path improvement projects to help protect the coastline for future generations. It costs at least £1,000 to maintain just 1 mile of Coast Path, plus an additional £2,000 for the Trust to take care of the land the surrounds it.

Funding for the trail has been in sharp decline for the past five years and it’s this motivating factor, to help plug the funding gap, that has inspired many of its rangers and National Trust staff to step up to the Challenge and organise their own events on the land that they care for on a daily basis. 

 South West Coast Path Challenge 2016 -  Photo Porlock Weir copyright Andreas Byrne (All Rights Reserved)

For further information and to take part visit the Association’s website at www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/challenge 

or call 01752 896237. 

Registration costs from £10 per person and you’ll receive a fundraising pack and a Challenge 2016 t-shirt.  

Follow news of the Challenge @SWCoastPath #630challenge and on Facebook/southwestcoastpath

Are you up for a South West Coast Path Challenge?

Take part in the South West Coast Path Challenge this October to break the world record for the number of times we can walk or run the Path in one month! CREATE your own Challenge or JOIN an organised Challenge to raise funds for Path repairs and improvements. 

South West Coast Path Challenge 1st October-29th October 2016
Organised Event Locations and dates:

• Minehead – Saturday 1st October
• East Portlemouth – Sunday 2nd October
• Kingswear – Friday 14th October
• Swanage – Saturday 29th October 

Event Size: 30 and up (this refers to number on organised walks)

Price: £10 Organised Challenge
or Self-led Challenge, £40 Organised 17.5 Mile Trail Running Challenge

South West Coast Path Challenge

to raise funds for Path repairs and improvements

1st October-29th October 2016

Contact 
Telephone: 01752 896237  
Email: challenge@southwestcoastpath.org.uk

Please check the website for further details and updates: www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/events/challenge

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South West Coast Path Association

7 Bowker House, Lee Mill Bridge, Ivybridge, Devon, PL21 9EF, England

Coast Path Challenge gets underway on the Exmoor coast from Minehead to Porlock Weir

The South West Coast Path Challenge in October 2015 is a new fundraising event, which aims to set a new record for the number of times people can walk or run the Coast Path in one month. Participants can create their own challenge or join one of four organised 10 mile challenge walks – every miles counts!
 

On Saturday 3rd October, the first 10 mile Challenge kicks off on the Exmoor coast – the official start of the South West Coast Path. Setting off from the start marker in Minehead, the route takes in the rugged moorland countryside and the highest coastline in England. Highlights include the stunning Exmoor scenery and a chance to spot rare plants and animals, including red deer. Hear the call of the stag during the mating season and see the evidence of coastal erosion, where the 6000 year old shingle ridge across Porlock Bay was breached, resulting in dramatic flooding of the fields behind at each high tide to form Porlock Weir, where the walk ends.
 

Hayley Partridge, South West Coast Path Events Officer says;
“I am really looking forward to what is gearing up to be an exciting month-long event full of inspirational challenges that people have pledged to help protect the Coast Path. The Minehead to Porlock Weir stretch is a great way to kick start the challenge month, taking in the highest point on the Coast Path at Great Hangman.”

Money raised will go towards Path improvement projects to help protect the coastline for future generations. It costs at least £1,000 to maintain just 1 mile of Coast Path and it needs help. The South West Coast Path Challenge is organised by the South West Coast Path Association, with the National Trust as a charity partner as part of its coastal celebrations in 2015.

Subsequent 10 mile Challenges take place on the 10th October along the south Cornwall coast, from Gunwalloe to Lizard Point; on the 17th October, a Barefoot run will take place in South Devon; on the 24th in Plymouth from Admiral’s Hard to Mount Batten Centre and on 31st October from Durlston Head to South Haven Point.
 

All of the organised walking routes include parking at the finish and transportation to the start of the walk. It costs £20 to register for the organised walks and £10 for an individual challenge. Register to take part at www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/events/challenge and share your challenge on social networks using #Challenge630

Fundraising tip: Aim to raise at least £10 through sponsorship. Walk 10 miles and get 10 friends to sponsor you 10p a mile!

WIN! - Entrants to the Challenge can take part in a competition to win a Go Pro Camera. All you have to do is pledge your support on social media using the event hashtag #Challenge630 Find out more via the event registration page.

For inspiration about how to create your own Challenge, visit the event registration page as above. It can be anything from 1 mile to 100 miles or the entire 630 mile route if you see fit. Here’s a couple of short walks on the Coast Path in Somerset:

• The Hangmen Hills, Exmoor (4.7 miles) A challenging but inspiring walk on the highest point on the Exmoor coast that amply rewards the effort involved, with far-reaching views over coast and hills, through an area rich in history.·
•  Heddon's Mouth, Somerset (2.1 miles) A challenge for those with limited mobility – made easier with a Tramper all-terrain mobility scooter which can be hired from the National Trust at Heddon Valley and used to explore many of the paths in the area.

To be inspired to step out on the Coast Path, take a moment and enjoy the National Trust South West Coast film: http://bit.ly/coastfilm

Autumn on North Hill Photo copyright Bob Small (All rights reserved)

Follow in the footsteps of Monty Halls on a Coast Path Adventure and win a GoPro Hero4 camera

Fancy a challenge? Join Monty Halls for an adventure as part of the South West Coast Path Challenge this October and get creative by making a pledge on social media for a chance to win a Go Pro Hero4 camera - the ultimate tool for recording your adventures.

As Patron of the month-long fundraising event, TV adventurer Monty Halls has created a video blog that sets out his challenge and nominates three friends to join him.

The South West Coast Path Association is leading on the event alongside the National Trust with the aim to raise vital funds for improvements on the Coast Path. Both charities are encouraging the millions of people that visit the coast every year, to challenge their friends and families to take part and share their experience on social media by tagging their posts with #Challenge630.

All posts using words, pictures or video along with the hashtag, will be in with a chance to win a prize at the end of the month with the winner chosen by Monty. The more creative the post the better the chances of winning and this can be on Twitter, Facebook or Youtube.

Alongside video blogs, picture entries can include a selfie beside a beautiful view, footprints in the sand or a simple pair of boot clad feet, anything that represents people enjoying the Coast Path's access to the sea and reinforcing the idea of the old adage; ‘take only pictures, leave only footprints…’

How to create your own video blog

To create a simple video using your smartphone, which can be anything from a 6 second Vine loop to a 30-second video on Youtube, Facebook or Twitter, here’s a quick start guide to what to include:

Step 1: Introduce yourself and let us know what your challenge is going to be.

Why are you doing this particular challenge? e.g., - it brings back memories of family walks or this is my favourite beach and I’ve never set foot along this particular stretch of coastline.

Step 2: Remind people what it's for, e.g., - to help protect the coastline. You can fundraise for your own nominated charity if you wish but you still need to register your challenge for just £10 and we will share your post if it includes #Challenge630

Step 3: Nominate three friends to join you - if they're on Facebook, Twitter or Youtube, tag them into your post. If not, let them know by other means.

Step 4: Sign off by asking your nominated friends: What will your challenge be?

If you're not using social media, you can still take part in the competition. Simply create your video or picture story and send it to us via email at hello@southwestcoastpath.org.uk

Don’t forget to put #Challenge630 in the subject line. We'll add it to our Youtube Playlist and share it on our Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest pages.

Monty at home in Dartmouth pledging his support for the Coast Path. 
 

Deadline to enter the competition: Midnight 31st October – a pledge can be made right up until the last minute – so if you decide to do something on October 31st you can create your pledge and fulfil your challenge in the same day.

It costs at least £1,000 to look after just 1-mile of Coast Path and it needs your help.

Full terms and conditions can be viewed on the #Challenge630 competition page at www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/events/challenge/challenge-630

Step up to the South West Coast Path Challenge

The countdown has begun with just one month to go before the South West Coast Path Challenge kicks off in October. The event, backed by TV adventurer Monty Halls, aims to set a new world record for the number of times the Coast Path can be covered in one month while raising funds to protect the coastline for future generations.

Monty said:

"My pledge as part of the South West Coast Path Challenge month is to sea kayak to Scabbacombe and run the 5 miles of Coast Path back to Dartmouth." 

“I am a huge fan of the South West Coast Path - some of my happiest memories have been running and walking it, and it snakes right past my house in Dartmouth. I feel it’s one of the most miraculous trails in Europe.”

Taking part in the South West Coast Path Challenge month is a great way of spending time with the family in the great outdoors, keeping fit and healthy, while getting a sense of achievement at the same time. Whether you want to tackle a short but demanding section, or take on the whole 630 miles, there’s a walk out there for all ages and levels of ability, and unlike the gym, you won’t have to pay a penny. Be warned, though – it is seriously addictive!

Create your own Challenge from 1 mile to 100 miles or take in the entire 630-mile route - every mile counts! For inspiration visit the website where you can find out what other people have pledged and choose from a tailor-made itinerary, or you can join one of four organised 10 mile Challenge events taking place throughout October including:

• 3rd October - Minehead to Porlock Weir, North Devon and Exmoor
• 10th October - Gunwalloe to Lizard Point, Cornwall
• 24th October - Admiral’s Hard to Mount Batten Centre, Plymouth
• 31st October - Durlston Country Park and Castle to South Haven Point, Dorset

All of the organised walking routes include parking at the finish and transportation to the start of the walk. Register to take part at www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/events/challenge

The South West Coast Path Association is leading on the Challenge event in partnership with the National Trust as part of its coastal celebrations and to help raise much needed funds to maintain the coastal scenery enjoyed by millions of visitors every year. It costs at least £1,000 to look after just 1-mile of Coast Path and it needs your help.

Mark Harold, Regional Director of the National Trust says;

“We are pleased to be working in partnership with the Association on their flagship event as part of our coastal festival celebrations this year and look forward to seeing how many miles we can clock up in one month.”

 Photo copyright Richard Taylor (All rights reserved)

Register to take part at www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/swcp-challenge and share your challenge on social networks using #Challenge630

Fundraising tip: Aim to raise at least £10 through sponsorship. Walk 10 miles and get 10 friends to sponsor you 10p a mile!

WIN! - Entrants to the Challenge can take part in a competition to win a Go Pro Camera. All you have to do is pledge your support on social media using the event hashtag #Challenge630

For more chances to win, get creative by posting a short video of your pledge on Youtube, Twitter or Facebook and nominate three of your friends to step up to the challenge. To see what other challenges people have pledged and find out more about how to enter the competition, visit the Challenge event registrationpage.

Click here to check out Monty's video pledge on Youtube 

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For more information about the South West Coast Path Association visit www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk

To be inspired to step out on the Coast Path, take a moment and enjoy the National Trust South West Coast film: http://bit.ly/coastfilm