MSR Walking Holiday Weekend at Selworthy 16th to 19th April 2010

43 members participated.

Stayed at HF Holnicote House, Selworthy, Somerset.

Friday 16^th April – After settling in, we were taken on a short introductory walk around the grounds of Holnicote House and nearby surrounding area. In the early evening before dinner we met our leaders for the weekend; Maurice, Colin and Peter who explained our walks for the next Day. Evening entertainment was arranged for all to participate in – Quiz, dancing, etc. for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday 17^th April – Three walks were undertaken, all starting from Holnicote House:

1)      Easier walk            Hurlstone Point, Bossington and Selworthy

6 miles                  Allerford (Packhorse Bridge) – Bossington – Hurlstone Point (old 

Leader Maurice      coastguard station) - round hill above Bossington – woodland path to

9 in party               Selworthy (church, village & teashop).

2)      Medium walk          Selworthy Beacon, The Coast Path, Views and a Village

9 miles                 St Agnes Fountain – open views across Porlock Marsh – above

Leader Colin          Hurlestone Coombe – Selworthy Beacon – Coast Path – Wydon Farm –

17 in party             Bratton (gatehouse) - Selworthy (church, village & teashop).

3)      Harder walk            Villages, Beach, Beacon and Coast Path

11 miles                Allerford (Packhorse Bridge) – Bossington – beach – up Hurlestone

Leader Peter          Coombe – Selworthy Beacon – coast path – Woodcombe - Bratton

12 in party             (gatehouse) – Selworthy (church, village & teashop)

Sunday 18^th April - Three walks were undertaken, all starting from coach drop off point near Countisbury.

1)      Easier walk           Watersmeet, Lynmouth, Lynton and Valley of the Rocks

7 miles                   Barna Barrow – Countisbury – descent to Watersmeet (cafe) – Lynmouth Leader Peter          (via river path) - tramway up to Lynton – coast path to The Valley of Rocks 12    in party            – return to Lynton inland - descend to Lynmouth.

2)     Medium walk          Watersmeet, the Cleaves, Valley of the Rocks and Lynmouth,

8.5 miles               Barna Barrow – Countisbury – Watersmeet (cafe) – Hillsford Bridge via

Leader Maurice       waterfall - Myrtleberry Cleave – Lynbridge – Lynton – over Hollerday Hill -

16 in party              The Valley of Rocks - return to Lynton by coast path - descend to Lynmouth.

3)     Harder walk            Lynmouth, the Coast, the Cleaves and Watersmeet,

10 miles                Barna Barrow – Countisbury – coast path (spectacular!) – down to

Leader Colin           Lynmouth – ascent to Lynton – coast path to Valley of Rocks – Lee

8 in party               Abbey and views of Lee Bay – return to Lynton via high level route above Valley of Rocks – cross East Lyn River – up to the Cleaves – high level route above valley then down to Watersmeet (cafe).

Monday 19^th April – Collected by coach and taken to Wellington Hill car park. Walked to Wellington Monument, then most did the approx. 3 mile walk through woods and fields down to Millhays and to Hemyock, where the coach awaited us with our sandwiches as well as a refreshing drink at the local hostelry. Returned to Sussex after what was a very enjoyable time. Many thanks goes out to the organisers of the holiday.

Organisers        Ray & Alison

Walk Leaders    Maurice, Colin & Peter

Drivers              Graham & Dave / Peter & Dave