WILLIAM was joined by ten walkers for a two day mid-week walking festival in part of the Exmoor National Park which covers 267 square miles of stunning moorland, woodland, hidden valleys and enormous cliffs overlooking the Bristol Channel. For their first adventure they set off from the pretty village of Porlock and joined part of the 51mile long Coleridge Way, dedicated to Samuel Taylor Coleridge famous for his poems Kubla Khan and the Rime of the Ancient Mariner. The delightful old packhorse bridge at Horner was followed by a steep climb through oak woods and up to Webber’s Post for refreshments whilst they gazed at their intended target of Dunkery Beacon, situated at 519 metres and the highest point on Exmoor.

From Brockwell they climbed steadily across Dunkery Hill passing Exmoor ponies to reach the top marked with a cairn and plaque to commemorate the beacon and surrounding area being handed over to the National Trust in 1935. They stopped for lunch in warm autumnal sunshine whilst enjoying the surrounding views, before they descended through Sweetworthy Coombe and a footbridge at East Water for another ascent to Bagley Coombe and on to the tiny hamlet of Stoke Pero for a stop at the highest church in England, which still relies on candles and fuel stoves during the winter months. They continued steeply downhill through Prickslade Coombe and across Horner Water and joined Flora’s Ride through Horner Wood back to ley Hill and the zig zag downhill path through the Doverhay Plantation which led them back to Porlock.

Their second day heralded more sunshine as they re-grouped in Porlock ready to tackle part of the renowned South West Coast Path. From Sparkheys Lane they walked down towards the coast at the pebble beach at Bossington and joined the coastal path heading east past Bossington Farm and over a footbridge, skirting Bossington Hill making towards Hurlstone Point and the old coastguard shelter high on the cliff top above Porlock Bay. Through the sea mist they gazed across the Bristol Channel towards Nash Point, Aberthaw Power Station and RAF St Athan, mementoes of home, before tackling a challenging climb up Hurlstone Coombe to Selworthy Beacon, where someone had left a pair of walking boots celebrating a 630 mile long distance walk during the summer of 1995.

A peregrine falcon swooped over their heads on a hunting expedition as they enjoyed lunch high above the channel in warm sunshine then onwards to North Hill and inland to Bratton Ball, tramping through the steep-sided Bratton Wood and down to the 14th century manor house of Bratton Court. They skirted the edge of Little Headon Plantation overlooking the lovely Hindon Farm nestled below in a fold in the valley before reaching Selworthy, a stunning National Trust village which is part of the Holnicote Estate and visited the tearoom in Periwinkle Cottage for afternoon tea and ice cream. A stroll through the delightful thatched cottage village led on through Selworthy Farm and down to Allerford and across the lovely old stone river bridge. From Stokes Farm they passed through West Lynch Woods to the old mill, pausing to purchase home-made chutneys and jam by the roadside before returning to Bossington and tramping across the marshes back to their start.

William wishes to convey his thanks to fellow rambler Josie, who was unable to make the trip, but who baked two delicious cakes for the group which were shared out between them and eagerly devoured during their walks for some much needed extra energy.

On September 27, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a nine-mile hard walk in the Abercarn area; contact Rachel on 01446 410545.

On September 28, meet 9am at Cogan for an 11-mile strenuous walk up the big four, Fan y Big, Cribyn, Pen y Fan and Corn Du; contact Robin on 029 2051 4051.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks. Some degree of fitness is required and if you are in any doubt, then please contact the walk leader for advice. To follow the group please log onto www.penarthramblers.wordpress.com Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.