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LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOODDerek Harwood's Walking Records If you have any queries about the pictures or descriptions e-mail me at: derek@harwoodonline.com | |||||
Lands End to John o'Groats Fill-in Path
Minehead to Donniford Somerset Coastal Path (England Coast Path) 21st April 2015 .....................................................Walk No. 1082 |
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Lands End to John o'Groats Fill-in No. 1 Total 10 miles Time Taken: 6:00 hrs Distance: Enjoyment: Weather: Dry 10:50 pm - 16:40 pm 10.00 miles 80% sunny & warm Temp: Cloud: Rain: Visibility: Ground Conditions: Nature: 18oC 0% None Good Excellent Butterflies, cowslips Total AA: Total MH: Total LD: Total AW: Other: Total Distance: 1116.5 mls 976.0 mls 3188.5 mls 167.5 mls 1914 mls 7362.5 miles Companions: (Derek) Ann for the first 5 miles. Points of Interest and LINKS: Offa's Dyke Path Minehead Dunster Village Dunster Castle Watchet Harbour Somerset Coastline Somerset Coast Path now England Coast PathDescription:
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
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