Exmoor Weekend

Exmoor Holiday

Friday 24th

I  was able to leave work around 2 and Tim came to Wool to pick me up.  We got to Exmoor just gone 4.  On the way to where we are staying we stopped at an outdoor activity centre for details of what we might want  to do tomorrow.  We are staying in a static caravan on a farm on the edge of Wimbleball Lake.  We have a lovely view over the lake.  We unloaded the car and made ourselves comfortable while we decided what to do this evening.

We decided to go to a ringing practice at Minehead.  We drove to the sea and found a chip shop for some dinner before going ringing.  It was a good light hearted practice that went on till 9.30. The first part was fung on a simulator then the second half on open bells.  Back at the caravan we put the heater on and relaxed with the tv on.

Saturday 25th

We both slept well last night.  We woke up just gone 7.30!  It is cloudy but dry out this morning so we are planning to go kayaking on the lake.

Lovely hour paddle around the lake.  At one point we found we were out of sight of the hut. As soon as we realised we headed back into view and we were impressed to see that the bloke from the hut had set out to come and find us in a little boat!  Back to the caravan to get dry and changed and have some lunch.  I think this afternoons plan to to walk up Dunkery Beacon.

We parked at the carpark and looked at the routes up.  Once we decided on which way we were going we booted up and got on our way.  We walked up the front towards a cairn on the top.  Lovely views from the top across to Wales!  From there we walked to the next hill top along where there were more cairns.  From there we followed a path down the side of the hill back to the car.  We got back just before it started spitting.  A nice walk and not many people around!

On the way back to the caravan we stopped at Tesco to get a disposable BBQ and some meat and bread, however when we got out it had started raining harder!  We decided not to have a look at Dunster Castle due to the rain!  We headed back to the caravan to have a drink and a rest.

The rain got quite heavy in the evening but we decided to still have a BBQ but to have it indoors!  It was very nice and just what we both fancied!

Sunday 26th

This morning it was cold and very misty over the lake.

I was quite keen to go to Dunster and have a look around. The castle is owned by the National Trust and they were charging a fortune to get in!  We went for a walk through the town and round the river.  

We got a pasty for lunch and made our way back to the caravan.  We got all packed up in the caravan but were able to leave our stuff there as no one was coming after us.  We went for a walk around the lake and past the dam.  

The sun was desperately trying to come out.  On the way back we stopped to watch the sailing that was going on on the lake.

Sadly it was time to go home.  We had a lovely weekend. Definitely an area we want to go back to.

Walking - St Aldhelms Head

St Aldhelms Head

This afternoon after a very productive handbell rehearsal Tim and I decided we would go for a walk.  We chose to go to St Aldhelms Head.  We drove to Worth Matravers and parked in the carpark near the path to Chapmans Pool.  We set off over the fields.  Once we reached the costal path we took the turning down the hill to Chapmans Pool.  We walked across the bay and back up to join the costal path.  We then continued on to St Aldhemls and went in the chapel.  We went down the otherside to winspit and back to Worth Matravers.

Climbing - Portland

Climbing Portland

Tim and I met Alan and Tracey down at Ferry Bridge and the made our way to Dungecroft Quarry.  Tracey and I started off with 'Never Ignore a Pooh-Pooh'!

We then moved on to a climb that Tim and Alan had left rigged for us 'T-Muffhundred' - A tricky climb which required bridging and an overhang.  I was pleased with myself to have managed that climb.  Tracey and I then went up 'Trust Me I'm A Doctor' a rather apt name for a climb because by then Tracey had twisted her ankle and I cut the very tip of my middle finger off on a sharp rock!  While we were doing these climbs Tim and Allan were trying other routes a bit further along the wall.

We next went to Neddyfields Main Cliff and had some lunch.  It was busy where we were hoping to go so ended up on a route called 'Bundle Of Joy' - Tim and Alan went up first and top roped it for Tracey and I.  Tracey went first and got to a difficult section half way up and wasn't able to go any further. I had a go next and struggled at the same bit Tracey did.  I had a sling and a crab with me so used my initiative and used it to make an extra handhold for myself!!  

After this we moved to the other side of the island and went to The Veranda and Battleship Back Cliff.  Alan and Tim went up and rigged 'Dr.Sole And Mr.Sole'.  I went up next and had a go at lead climbing it while having the safety of being top roped.  Pleased to have a go but glad to be on a rope!  Tim and Alan did a few more climbs before we packed up for the day.  Really enjoyable and fun day.

Caving - Swildon's Hole

Swildon's Hole

Group - Tim, Sas and Tony

A few years ago we were staying with my Aunt and Uncle and attended Hidden earth - the UKs Caving Conference.  During a conversation one evening my Uncle mentioned he would be interested in having a go at caving.  We said that when he was down our way next we would take him on a trip.  I heard Jen and Tony were going to be staying a few days This Easter so I took the opportunity to invite Tony on a trip.

We chose to go to Swildon's Hole in Priddy.  It is a cave both Tim and I like and there is plenty of variety there for a first trip.

We picked Tony up around 7.30 and made our way to collect a caving suit we were hiring.  We made good time on our journey which was fortunate as there were a few issues picking up the oversuit!!  We arrived at the club to find there were more people there than we expected.  We kitted up and made our way acrodd the fields to the cave entrance.  We went in via the zigzags and then the long dry way Down to sump 1 via Barnes Loop.  On the way Tony managed to take a dunk in the first of the double pots! We got to the sump and sat for a moment.  We suggested to Tony that the way on was through the sump - initially Tony thought we were joking!  After not much persuasion he agreed to give it a go.  In Swildon's Two we went to Sump 2 and then back to the bottom of the Landings to have a drink and a chocolate bar.  We asked Tony his views on caving.  He said he thought we are nuts!  We made our way back to the Wookey Hole sign just before Sump 1 and took some photos.

As we went back through the sump Tim took some more photos.

After the sump we made quick progress through the cave to keep warm.  We went up watery rift to the 20ft pot and then the 40ft pot.  I went up first with a knee to stand on from Tim.  Tony went next and got up on the second attempt.  The first attempt found him very quickly back down the bottom!  We continued out up the short dry way and exited the cave.  In total we took 3 hours for the trip.  Tony seemed very relieved to see daylight.