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You don't often get the chance to end a full
days rambling by walking into the sun as it sets behind the hills
that act as a backdrop to Lynton and Lynmouth, but that is how
the day ended on the Saturday of the weekend in Exmoor last October.
 The
day started with the group of 12 deciding to do the proposed 11
mile walk from Countisbury in reverse to avoid walking into a
bracing easterly wind. But this meant we had plenty of scope to
be unsure about where we were as it all looks so different from
the other direction!
 As
well as scenic river paths, tracks over the moorland and coastal
paths, we tackled a steep hillside covered in 5-foot ferns whichgave
one member the chance to display his gymnastic skills as he tried
to stay upright having missed his footing. At one point we did
a grand detour round a roman hill fort as we tried to find the
coastal path and were reminded by another member that the sun
set at 6.18 pm, giving us at least two hours to finish the walk.
Undeterred and in good humour we continued this now 13 miler to
return to our cars at 6.17 pm.
 Sunday
dawned promising another dry, sunny day and everybody turned up
for an 8 mile walk across farmland and moors from Simonsbath taking
in superb views of the River Barle and the surrounding moorland.
Enjoying a very leisurely lunch break in the sunshine on the river
bank a certain member piped up from behind a gorse bush "Do
you realise the sun sets at 6.15 pm today?"
 On
approaching another hillfort (Cow Castle) it was suggested to
those who were feeling energetic that an alternative path to going
round was to go up and over the top. Five of the group were up
to the challenge and this provided light entertainment for the
rest of us as they descended and we overheard them saying "Who's
silly idea was this?", "It's a bit higher than I thought
it was", "I don't mind going up, but didn't know it
was going to be so steep going down" etc. etc.
The walk finished 4 hours before sunset!
This gave some of us the excuse to indulge in
a wonderful tea in Dulverton before setting off home. If you feel
you have missed out there could be a chance to do it all again
later in the year (maybe!!)
Janet & Yvonne
October 2003
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