LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

We parked at Lynton car park, £3.30 for 4 hrs, and walked into town past the knick knack shops. There were good views of Lynmouth and Foreland Point from North Walk Hill. It was a steady walk along North Cliff Walk past Cliff railway. We had a short stop to watch the railway cars pass each other just below Cliff Walk. There were excellent views from Cliff Walk across the blue sea of the Severn Estuary to South Wales in the sunshine. We soon spotted the many goats in precariously perched locations high on the rocks along the North Cliff. Special care was required not to walk too close to the path edge, due to the very steep drop, almost straight into the sea. We turned the corner towards The Valley of the Rocks and immediately saw the magnificent views of Castle Rock and the bays further west. Walking carefully up the rugged path to the top of Castle Rock we had more excellent views in all directions. We by-passed Wringcliff Bay and Mother Meldrums Cave to the toll road. We then forked left after Lee Abbey, by-passing Lee Bay, to Six Acre Wood. It was a very steady ascent in the wood to South Cliff. Laz walked ahead as usual and negotiated a hairpin bend at point '9'. When we arrived at '9' and realised his error, we had to shout at top volume for him to retrace his tracks. The track zigzagged and steepened to the top of South Cliff with a progressive improvement of scenery with every successive stride to the summit. We stopped for lunch soon after the summit at a bench overlooking The Valley of the Rocks, the cricket pitch, practice nets and the impressive views of Castle Rock. We continued down the wide track into Lyndon, through the woods, past a small noisy stream and the mature terraced houses of the village. We passed the 'Crown Hotel' just before the car park, but retraced our steps immediately for a pint of 'Tribute' Cornish St Austell ale. As we enjoyed the pint under a canopy at the front of the hotel, a gust of wind moved the canopy and deposited a dollop of water in Ken's lap. We all jumped sky high in surprise, almost spilling the beers! Another excellent sunny day walking with the Boyz.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk
Start & Finish: Lynton Car Park

None.

Number 597 and Number 868. Also the South West Costal Path Number 437