It was a lovely day for a hike, which is what we had planned. A nice round walk from Tarr steps to Withypool and back alongside the river Barle. Around 7 miles in total. We messed around most of the morning, then pfaffed a bit more, until it was about noon. We then decided to set off for the Tarr steps car park. But, due to the fine weather, the Tarr Steps car park was heaving and we couldn’t fit. No problem. We can park at the other end in Withypool. But, due to the fine weather, Withypool was heaving. Mmmmm. We decided on a drink at the pub in order to use the facilities, then parking at Comer Gate, just outside Withypool, and walk down to the river from there. ‘This will cut the walk down to 5 miles’ I confidently told Chris. The drink at the pub turned out to be really nice so that was a plus.
It was about 1.30 when we eventually parked up at Comer gate, and we had to evict a few Exmoor ponies in order to manage it
We were soon on our way over the moor and down the valley to join the river, after navigating over a few fords. Vicky had picked this day to wear trainers not walking boots for some reason so was a little hesitant
The walk by the river was really beautiful and Misty got to swim loads
Eventually we came to Tarr steps themselves, which are really big slabs from hundreds of years ago that form a bridge. Here we had ice-cream! Then we crossed over and walked back up the other side.
We had then spotted a path that went up the hill and over the moor back to Comer gate. We waded through bracken up to our eyeballs and up a steep rocky path to the moor at the top before the path took us through mud, mud,mud, bog, more mud, and a final boot sucking (trainer sucking in vickys case) bog. Eventually we came to the crossroads which Ian and Alex had been searching for for hours. As we looked back the way we had come we were eternally grateful we had chosen the right path.
We had popped out on the moor and before long the cry came from ahead, ‘The Car!’. And there it was, surrounded by ponies. Ian shooed them away so we could all remove our boots (or soaking wet caked in mud trainers) and head for home. Ian checked his Strava and we had walked 13.3km. Much more than we were going to do, as Chris kept telling me.
I must admit the little peak at 6km was Ian, vicky and Alex going to the loo. Chris and I missed that section out as it was all uphill.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Kathy had spent a long, lonely day, alone. Except for a shoehorn and a pigeon.
We decided on fish and chips for tea so Ian and I popped to our favourite shopping Mecca of Wilaton and Andy’s chippy. My list was long and involved, mainly because there were no veggie options (they are frowned on in this part of Wiltshire) so Alex had to have chips, mushrooms, onion rings, mushy peas, and gravy (??!!). After a chippy tea and a few games of pool (I beat Chris), we were all off to bed. Plus Misty.
TOILET WATCH
Apparently the one up the hill was very nice. Clean with plenty of paper. Too much effort for me though. 7/10
STARWATCH
OK but missed the dark ones due to Ian’s toilet habits
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