Thoughts
from Dunster
David
had worked so hard preparing our walks but at the last minute was
struck down by flu’ so was unable to reap the rewards on the 2016
U3A walking holiday to Dunster in Somerset.
Mike
and Jim became our modern day St. George’s saving the day by taking
over and sharing the leading of the walks.
John
had found a wonderful hotel again this year, the ‘Yarn Market
Hotel’ right in the centre of Dunster which over looked the old
yarn market. Dunster is a very pretty village with Dunster Castle at
one end and a Folly at the other. There were also unique shops
selling local jewellery and Whortleberry! Jam.
St
Georges church was lovely inside and had a colourful history, I
wasn’t so sure though when at five A.M. I was woken by the church
clock striking five… Which was then followed by automated bells
playing “there is no place like home! [Were the locals trying to
tell me something?]. Judging by the size of the dovecote I do not
think the Brothers ever went hungry.
The
stone ‘Gallox Bridge’ over the river Avill where the pack animals
used to cross, how Mike wishes he had a dog to herd his unruly
‘sheep’ over.
Jim’s
challenge for this year was the ‘Coastal path walk’ from Minehead
to the Blue Anchor railway station. Firstly trying to walk one step
forward and two steps back on soft shifting sand, then onto rocks and
pebbles. If you needed stones for your rockery this was the place to
come. We were told that it was two miles but as we were constantly
watching where we put our feet it seemed much further. Part of the
walk was adjoining a golf course, so not only were we watching our
feet, we were keeping an eye out for flying golf balls.
Blue
Anchor station was like a step back in time with a signal man in his
signal box and as the gates closed a local character, a lady on a
mobility scooter, blew a bugle and announced that the train was
coming. We were so pleased to be able to sit down and enjoy the ride
back to Minehead on this restored steam train.
On
the afternoon walk, which was over heathland to” Bossington Hill”
we saw Exmoor ponies and had great views of the Bristol Channel to
Wales. We also had an unexpected surprise meeting up with Tom and
Jean. It was lovely to see them and have them share the walks and
dinner with us at the Hotel.
There
were some very narrow roads that twisted and turned going toward
Porlock. From Porlock we walked across marshes and saw a Heron and
her chick. Some locals told us where to find a memorial which gave
details of a plane and crew which had crashed nearby in 1942.
On
our monthly walks in the New Forest we do not have any steep
gradients, it is usually tree roots that we have to watch for. So our
‘gentle climb’ to “Dunkery Beacon” [the highest point on
Dartmoor] was challenging but well worth the climb as the views from
the top were breath taking, you could see for miles in all
directions.
In
the evening Jean took over the role of Quiz Master, or should that be
Mistress? For our after dinner quizzes
I
would like to say a very big Thank You to David for planning the
walks, to John, for finding us such a good hotel and to Jim &
Mike for taking over and leading the walks, also to Jean who’s quiz
answers were final ‘and’ a thank you to everyone else for being
such good company.
Pictures from Barbara
Pictures from Sandra
Monday afternoon
Minehead to Blue Anchor , Tues a.m.
Porlock Marches , Wed. a.m.
 |
| I hope Brian Cox didn't mind |
Greencombe Gardens,
Porlock
I was fortunate enough to be able to
visit these enchanting gardens while on the U3A walking holiday. I had seen an
article in a gardening magazine and phoned to ask if they were open one morning.
The owner said that, no, they only open from 2.00 to 6.00 pm. After pleading
my case, he relented and two friends and I enjoyed a delightful couple of hours
exploring this magical garden overlooking Porlock Bay and the coast of
Wales.
The three-and-a-half acre site is long
and narrow, following the contour lines below a high ridge, faces north, and is
therefore ideal as a woodland garden. We followed mossy paths with
rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, Spring bulbs and of course the National
collections of Polystichum ferns and Erythroniums (small mountain lilies), As
April is the time the latter flower, we were treated to a wonderful display of
these delicate flowers, in shades ranging from white through to deep pink via
creams and yellows. As I had never even heard of these delightful bulbs before,
it was a real treat to be able to chat to the owner about them and how the
collection has grown from very small beginnings when his Aunt, Joan Loraine,
took over the garden in 1966.
Sadly Joan died
in February, but her garden lives on as a legacy to her dedication and pure
enjoyment of this truly enchanting place.
Sue
Hucker
