Our group of approximately 30 people met up for the first walk on a sunny Friday afternoon, in a car park near Exmouth railway station. We had booked into the Ashton Court Hotel, delighted with it’s waterside location, with views stretching across the River Exe estuary to Dawlish Warren.
We set off along the river towards Lympstone, enjoying the sound of the water lapping the wall below us in the sunshine. Our 2½ mile amble brought us into the pretty Devon village of Lympstone, with its quaint cottages and twisting narrow lanes and passages between the houses. Here we found various refreshments – tea and cakes in the sunshine, a swift half-pint or Devon ice cream being among people’s choices, while two ladies who shall be nameless emerged from the local shop clutching a bottle of wine. Some of us opted to return on the train while others returned the way we had come - a lovely introduction to the weekend.
Despite dire write-ups on the internet, our hotel proved perfectly adequate, with three choices for each of the three generously portioned courses at dinner and coffee to follow. Friday night we were entertained by a country and western type singer, who despite urgings to provide us with more lively music to dance to, continued in the same vein, although a few of our number did manage a bit of rock and roll.
Saturday dawned cloudless once more and after a generous breakfast we set off eastwards around the headland at the end of the promenade to walk along a huge expanse of flat sandy beach below high red cliffs. We climbed a path at the end of the beach and headed back towards Exmouth along the cliff top, congregating for a group photo at the Jurassic Coast Geoneedle, which we think indicates the different periods of the rock formations.
Once back at the cars on the promenade, we all went our different ways for lunch, then met up again for a delightful walk inland along the estuary of the River Otter at Budleigh Salterton. We saw swans and a Little Egret on the way inland and had to wait for a herd of cows to cross our track on their way to graze in the lush marshy ground. We met many people out for a walk with their families as we headed towards the river and our return along its banks. Some of the party stopped to find out what fish were in the river while others of us strolled on, spying our first swallows as we neared Budleigh once more.
Sunday was overcast, with the threat of rain, but we were again lucky and it only rained while we were having lunch and after we had returned to Exmouth. Dave’s luck held once more! Our morning walk took us to East Budleigh Common, such different terrain from our previous walks and sometimes rough underfoot, but we had views towards the sea from our high vantage point. Again Dave had provided the means for a shorter walk and some took advantage of this, returning to the car park only to be invaded by a fantasy enactment group, with weird clothes and painted faces, pointed ears or animal masks, all reminiscent of Lord of the Rings. We returned to find the car park full of these characters, but they proved harmless and were an amusing diversion.
Our afternoon walk was again inland on Collaton Raleigh Common, and through an area used as a firing range. Unfortunately, there had been a recent heath fire which had burned a huge area of this common, blackening everything and still smelling very pungent. Despite this, it was a very enjoyable walk, with a steep ascent towards Woodbury Castle, a hill fort, from which we again had wonderful 360ยบ views. This proved our most taxing walk and Dave was mystified as we completed it in record time – we had really got into our stride!
We returned to our hotel for our last evening together. As on the previous night, Dave supplied quiz sheets for us to complete and even the barmaid and some elderly guests joined in. The previous evening had become very noisy when Dave gave the answers to the questions, with much hilarity and some rather dubious alternatives given. We had even been treated to a fireworks display from across the estuary at Dawlish Warren.
Monday saw us repacking our cars, paying our very reasonable hotel bills and setting off for a change of destination, the donkey sanctuary near Seaton. This was a very popular choice where we all did our own thing, some of us enjoying walks in the surrounding countryside. There were primroses and bluebells everywhere and the birdsong in this peaceful setting was delightful. The donkeys too were delightful and patiently posed for many photos.
Thank you, Dave, for providing such a variety of beautiful walks once more, paced just right for all the group to enjoy. Thank you, too, John, for finding the hotel. Despite your misgivings, it proved a great venue, with pleasant young staff and a wonderful position on the seafront.
We’ve had four years of marvellous holidays; I for one hope we’ll continue in 2011.
Sue
