Post 26 Lynton and Lynmouth

Today we set out around 11 am for Lynton. There is some lovely scenery - even just outside Appledore, it is really picturesque.

Everywhere there are trees worth photographing.

We went via Westward Ho to call into one of Pene and Mark's building sites where the rubble removers had been locked out. They had tried to climb over the fence, but they are well-built lads and were afraid of destroying the fence. Mark was over in a jiffy.



I have been trying to photograph these Devon Banks. An alternative to hedgerows or dry stone walls, these are earth banks with plantings along the top.



It is quite hard to capture them in a way that shows how they are different to hedgerows.

We drove through the Valley of the Rocks, an extraordinary, rocky valley, where Mark and Pene have been to see outdoor theatre - including a performance of Lorna Doone.


It would be an experience to see it in this setting. It definitely has the feeling of the Doones!

At Lynton we walked up to the funicular railway.













The view from the top is spectacular.















I stood at the front with the driver and video-d the descent. I'm not sure if the video will work in the blog.




























At the bottom is Lynmouth another lovely little village on the mouth of the river Lyn.




















We had lunch in the Red Lion. I had Bouillabaisse - and a single Porlock Oyster - delicious.

Back up on the funicular and detour via a Sculpture Park.

Mark took us through Westward Ho to prove to me it was a town. I had always assumed that Westward Ho was a rallying cry, not a place.

It certainly is. It has a surf lifesaving club, which I didn't manage to photograph.





The long beach is subject to flooding and shorn up with 'pebbles' - which turned out to be stones of very substantial size.















It also boasts the oldest golf course in England, the North Devon Golf Club, located on land where sheep graze, and people walk

It abuts the sea and the banks of pebbles.


In spite of the hazards (or perhaps because of them) it is a much sought-after golf course.

golf club

By now the mist had well and truly come in



There has been a lot of building in Westward Ho - in spite of recent floods.


We got home about 5. It has been a lovely and interesting day. My last in Appledore. I am very grateful to my hosts for their generous hospitality and company. I am so glad I came.