LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

We drove to Blue Anchor Bay and parked car, before waiting for bus No l6 outside a holiday park. The bus was due at 10:22am but arrived almost full at 10:30am. We arrived at Minehead sea front in one piece but shaken after standing all the way. As we started to walk towards the Esplanade, I noticed a steam engine by the buffers of the railway station. I was immediately drawn towards the 'GWR engine' No. 4160, where I took several photos automatically. After a small fix of steam trains we continued along the Esplanade and Quay Street to the 'South West Coastal Path Sculpture', the start/end of the way and start of the 'Fill in' walks. After the customary photos we walked back to the train station, then along the sea wall to Minehead & West Somerset Golf Club, passing Butlins Holiday Camp. Lots of memories for me. The way ahead changed dramatically at this point, from a stroll along the pavement alongside the sea wall to sand dunes. With the sea on the left and the golf course on the right, we walked on a raised dyke protecting the green fields and golf course from the sea's powers. We watched the skills of several golfers before arriving at a 'pill' box, a relic of the wartime defences. We passed many 'summer houses' before a long stretch of large pebbles at the top of the beach, with good views of Dunster Castle. At one remote point we found a tramp's den, made of driftwood and plastic off the beach. Just before we reached Blue Harbour resort a 'GWR' tank engine No 4452 passed on a scheduled passenger train, travelling from Minehead. We soon reached Blue Anchor resort and the car, where after a coffee, Ann drove back to the caravan site, while I continued along the sea front to 'Grey Rock' Head beyond. I passed the hotel at the east end of the promenade and up the hill to the fields and woods on the covert. One final ascent to Daw's Castle then a 'hairy' road walk into Watchet Village. Take extreme care on the road, narrow and busy. I passed the museum on my way to the harbour with its sculptures by the many benches. At the train station I asked for directions from a local man, who recommended I walked on a track beside the railway to a path of steps down to the beach. As the tide was way out there were plenty of options for a way alongside the cliffs to Doniford Holiday Park. I had to cross 'The Swill' stream/brook just before the park, which I found difficult and wet to negotiate because of the volume of water, even after the previous dry period. I crossed the shallow water on the beach before entering the park back to the caravan 'The Summer House'. The walk was an exciting and varied for a first day of the 'fill in' walks. I'm looking forward to many more 'fill in' walks on my way to John o' Groats, Scotland.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: at Mindhead Coast