Five go to Mystery Moor

I awoke to the sun streaming through the curtains. Looked like a lovely day. Misty was in the room with us having been brought up in the middle of the night. Ian also went outside and saw a cornucopia of stars. ‘Why didn’t you wake me?’ I yelled at him. Oh how he laughed. He then promised to wake me the next time he went midnight stargazing. We had a quietish day planned so started it with a full English. An aga is great to cook bacon and eggs on, I almost wish we still had one at home. Alex had another mountain run planned so the rest of us except Kathy decided to try out the none existent path to the cider farm. The field it crossed was full of high flowery type plants, which did not suit Vicky. She kept seeing bees/wasps and panicking. It was hilarious.

Vicky panics

Our house across the field

Those plants are high

The path then crossed a river before going up a steep set of steps. No way Misty was going up there! 

Over a couple of fields and down a lane and we were at the cider farm. We tasted a couple of samples before purchasing some for Kathy.

Cider farm

 We then took the road way home. Too many steep flights of steps and waspy fields the other way.

We had a little lunch sat in the garden before our next foray out to Dunkery beacon. Because it was just a short trip, Kathy asked if we could wait till she had finished work giving us time to play a little pétanque. Misty was particularly fond of the jack. 

At 4.30 we all piled in Ian’s car and took a risk on the country roads, Roland’s driving having rubbed off on Ian, for a trip to Dunkery Beacon. This is the highest spot on Exmoor and you can see for miles, and miles. I was very grateful for my sticks both up and down. 

Then it was time for our second Barbie of the hols. This time we had steak! The veggies had some kind of plant based kebab, and halloumi, which the meat eaters stole due to it’s deliciousness. 

We stayed outside deep into the dusk before retiring to bed, Me Ian and Misty together. 

TOILET WATCH

No Extraneous ones to report, so here’s the upstairs bathroom. Plumbing bad again so just a trickle of water. No-one has tried the bath. 7/10

STAR WATCH

Quite a few at bedtime, but Ian’s neglecting to wake me when the sky was alight left a bad taste. 5/10

Five go to Billycock hill

As members of the national trust we understandably want our monies worth, or as much as we can get during a pandemic. We therefore HAD to visit Dunster Castle during this holiday. Looking at the map it seemed to be round 7miles from our palace to said castle. Luckily, Chris decided he didn’t fancy the walk so we arranged to meet him there, all go on said visit together, then get a lift home. So we booked in to Dunster for 2.30pm, and arranged to meet Chris at a little car park in the village at that time. 

Yesterday we had planned to leave at 10am giving us plenty of time. We arose earlyish to a middling day. Middling heat, middling cloud. After breakfast and preparation Ian, Vicky, Alex, Misty and I were ready to leave at the allotted hour of 10.30. (You don’t think we would tell Ian the real time do you?)

Vicky was wearing a jumper. The first little bit took us up the same hill as yesterday, where we branched left instead of right. We would be following the West Somerset branch of the McMillan way. It’s quite exciting to be following a ‘Way’. Sometimes the sign posts even had a little sticker on them. Most times there were no signposts. 

We stopped for lunch at Bat Castle at about 1pm,  but before that we had crossed fields, gone through a couple of small villages, crossed a Ford, gone through a wood, climbed two hills, and every step of the way we had fantastic views, a lot of the time of the sea. 

Misty can’t do this one!

It’s a buzzard!

Misty and Buddy in the Ford

Lunch at bats castle which is an ancient iron aged fort, and the Piccadilly Circus of the Dunster deer park.

Look at those climbs!

You can probably see the route from both pictures together

After lunch we made our way down the hill to the allotted meeting place. Buddy’s Ford was the last stop. Once over that we looked for the car park. Remember. We had been walking/eating for four hours and we arrived at exactly 2.30. As we set foot into the car park Chris arrived. We couldn’t believe it! 

We all jumped in and drove around to the NT car park for Dunster castle. The one way system was clearly marked and as you can imagine it was quiet.

We arrived at a little pop-up cafe and had coffee. It was freezing. Wish I had a jumper. Ian brought Misty an ice cream, which she loved

On the way back to the mansion, Chris dropped us off at the pub at the end of the lane so we could book a table. We left Ian’s name and number (eek!) In between I had a shower and went to Vickys Magic Box for a haircut. At the pub we had to sit in our seats and not stand up unless we needed the loo. The food was good and plentiful, Alex’s two mains actually filled him up. 

Socially distanced dining

We strolled back to the Villa well stuffed. It was a little chilly so Ian and Alex lit a roaring fire. The evening was taken up by the only connect missing vowels that we had neglected. I think I won the most rounds. Then most people had to leave the room due to the heat of the roaring fire. Vicky removed her jumper. 

At bedtime I went out and viewed the stars for a bit before retiring. A little later Ian came to bed, leaving Misty downstairs. About 2am Misty came to bed with us. 

TOILET WATCH

The ladies toilet at Dunster was very nice. Clean, newly painted, nice hot water and power to the max none Dyson hand driers. Only problem was that the toilets were really low so you kind of plonked down. Because of that I am deducting a full Mark. 9/10

STAR WATCH

Nice clearish Sky, but a little light still when I went to bed. I was a bit cold as well as I had left the side of the roaring fire, so it was just a quick look. Saw quite a few stars though. 6/10

Five go down to the sea

We were awoken by Misty mooching about so I got up and fed her. It was raining but that was OK as most of us were planning an easy morning. Alex was planning a 22km run. We breakfasted late, except for Kathy who was hard at work when we got up. Bitter had let her down badly leaving her in the lurch. She was trying to get Stig Larsen to fill the breach. Vicky had received a very stern e-mail from Jason telling her to get her radiator sorted immediately so she wanted her dad to find a garage. Luckily, there is one in Roadwater about half a mile away who could replace it for her. I took Ian down and the man located the radiator to come tomorrow. Probably ready weds he said. We then popped into Wilaton for some food. The Double yellows in Wilaton are advisory only apparently. We did find a nice pie and pasty shop where we bought some for tea. Back at the ranch we heated up the left over barbie and left over pizza stuff and had a veritable feast. All except Alex who had left for the run up and over the Brendon hills. 

Chillaxin 

As soon as Alex returned we ushered him into the shower, forced half a left over pizza down him and set off to walk down to the sea. Just opposite our little cottage is a public footpath leading up to a bridle way on a hill. There is also a public footpath, exceedingly overgrown, right next to our little cottage leading to the cider farm (closed), but the less said about that the better. No one needs to know that Ian was right, again. Anyway, up on top of the hill we got some fantastic views over to the sea. 

Leaving the Chapel by the side gate

The field above 

Views to the sea

Misty wasn’t too impressed by the prickly bits left in the farmers field after he had harvested his barley though. We crossed a few stiles (luckily there were some Misty size holes) and a cow field before coming into Washford. This is where the old train line started. 

The railway

The river

After a view dog on dog altercations, a stonechat spotting, and a swim in the river (Misty) we arrived on the outskirts of Watchet. This is a pretty little town, but the greyness of the late afternoon, and the fact the sea was waaaaaaay out again and the beach muddy, didn’t do it any favours. We did find a pub where we could take Misty through to the very small courtyard. Ian left his name and phone number (eek!) and we ordered a swift half. If it wasn’t for the rain coming on it would have been almost continental. 

We had arranged for Chris to come collect us. Kathy came too on the promise of good things in Watchet. But there were none so we came home.

The evening was spent doing Richards quiz (sorry Allum’s!) and consuming the pasties, which were delicious. After such an energetic day we were all exhausted. I went to bed leaving Ian to let Misty out. Apparently the skies were remarkably clear and he saw loads of stars. Not too long after Ian came up. Not long after that Misty retired to our room too.

TOILET WATCH

None on our travels today, so the downstairs bathroom in the house. A bit small. Shower is not very powerful. Water in tap is a trickle. 6/10

STAR WATCH

Well Ian says he saw loads but couldn’t name any. I’ll be staying up myself tonight.

Five go to Demons Rocks

We awoke the first full day of our holiday to the sun streaming through the curtains, the sounds of birdsong, and a wet hairy tongue. To be fair, Misty had slept well with only a bit of mooching and scratching. She leapt downstairs with Ian to be fed, then stood at the bottom of the stairs barking when Ian had brought the coffee back up. Meaning he had to carry her back up again. We chilled for a bit before I braved the shower. We had found the water to be hot, but with very little pressure, in the other taps, but the shower was OK. I then braved the Aga to make bacon and eggs. If you recall we had one when we first moved in many years ago, and I haven’t lost it. Soon after the little ones arose, followed by Colette and Roland. The kitchen isn’t really big enough for eight! After breakfast we had a very nice sit in the garden watching the birds and butterflies.

Just chillin

The little ones at breakfast

Alex finds a new friend

Due to poor old Kathy having to work all week, I let her choose where we would go today. Much to my annoyance and everyone else’s delight, she settled on the wonderful sounding Valley of the Rocks, where the horrific sounding Feral Goats roam free. After much pfaffing and many showers, we were ready. ‘What are we doing for lunch?’ asked Chris. (Heather look away now). ‘Dunno’ I replied. Cue full on panic. People flew though the pantry scoffing whatever they could find. ‘Hold my half eaten cold burger while I get my shoes on’ asked Chris as we were going through the door. We decided to follow Colette and Roland so they pulled out. But wait, Kathy decided she needed the loo, again, so rushed back inside. Five minutes later we were off. And let me tell you, Roland takes no prisoners when driving. Ian had to drive like a demon just to keep up, which he loved and we hated. I must say, the views, through half closed eyes with a clenched jaw, were spectacular from the road. Just coming out of Porlock up a massive hill we caught a break. A horse box being followed by a learner driver slowed us right down. But on the very top of Exmoor they both pulled off. Time to cling on again. We soon (very soon!) arrived in The Valley of the Rocks, and after more pfaffing we were ready for the walk. Just as a band of rain swept in. Didn’t stop us from enjoying it though.

It really is a lovely place, with sweeping sea views. Unfortunately we couldn’t see much through the rain. We had just turned the last corner, when, like Caradhras turning back the fellowship of the ring, the rain stopped and the sun came out. We walked on a little further hoping to get to a beach to give Misty a swim when we spotted them. Glaring with malevolence. The Feral Goats. ‘Oh aren’t they cute’ cried Colette. She has obvious never been butted or had to rescue her daughter from a field of them wanting blood. ‘No’ I replied. Nevertheless they all wanted photos. I had my sticks though, and felt I could take one if necessary. 

They are really well camouflaged. This guy is actually on the top picture

A ‘cute’ one

Headed back to the car we found a sign for Mother Mashams cave, which caused the majority of our party to go crashing through the undergrowth a la Jurassic Park. I stayed to be the official cave photographer.

Can you see the six people on this Photo?

There was no cave though, so they came back. A little further up the road we found something better. Mother Mashams tea room. Bemasked,  Ian and  Colette brought us coffee, ice creams, and cake with clotted cream (Ian) and we sat outside in the sun.

By this time our parking ticket had expired and us Walters were getting twitchy, so we rushed back, via the Valley of the Rocks toilet. Colette, Roland, Alex and Misty wanted a swim so we followed on behind again ( 😱) to Blue Anchor beach. I believe we passed some Exmoor ponies on the way but I had my eyes closed. Blue Anchor beach is muddy and the tide was out. Cleethorpes out. We still had a walk on it but the swimmers (even Misty) decided against it. 

Colette and Roland came back to the Chapel to use the facilities then set off home. We had all really enjoyed their little visit. We ordered Pizza from Vladi’s in Minehead. The reviews were really good, they even delivered to someone who didn’t have any access! Vladi was way quicker than he said he would be, and the pizza was really good. There was also loads left for snacks etc. After we had eaten we followed the lengthy instructions to set up the snooker table and played some Doubles pool. ‘HOLD IT FURTHER BACK! NO, NO DON’T GO FOR THAT ONE! OH MY GOD WOMAN!’ Were a few of Ian’s encouragements during our heavy defeats to both other pairs. It turns out Alex is a ringer having played professionally at university.

Professional coaching

Kathy makes a shot

Worryingly Alex got a text from Colette and Roland to say they had had a bit of a problem. It transpires that they had a puncture on the M5. They had to stand by the side of the road for an hour waiting for the AA. Unfortunately for them it wasn’t the fabulous Jason, but they did get home safe.

Soon after we retired to bed leaving Misty in the kitchen. Soon after Misty came up to bed with us

Time to bring back an old friend, and introduce a new one

TOILET WATCH

Most of the party visited a little toilet block at Valley of the Rocks. Men’s toilet was really smelly with a wet floor and two resident giant spiders. Possible bees nest in light. 3/10.  Ladies Cleaner than expected, no soap, floor was muddy and went when we went later in the day. Hand dryers were useless. 5 or 6 out of 10. Average 4/10

STAR WATCH

No word from Virtual Astro, cloudy skies, so I want to bed.