Day 45 Morning –
Porlock to Minehead
A change of
rail schedules, caused by work to a tunnel beyond Taunton, means a new early
morning route for the London contingent – train to Bristol Parkway and then
join John on “his train” to Taunton. Terrible recent weather in the South West
(evident from seriously flooded fields as we approach Taunton) is supposed to
ease during our 2 day visit, continuing the good fortune of the last 3 years.
Colin (Bill) from Taunton gets us to Porlock around 10:15 and we’re ready on
our first outing of 2014 for the final leg of the path to Minehead. Ben is
clearly more than ready, as he treats the long steep climb out of Porlock with
something approaching disdain. Gary has one of his “difficult” ascents – so
much so that John kindly carries his rucksack for the final section of the
incline. No problems thereafter. A dry morning – albeit very wet under foot in
several places – and we reach Minehead by 1:30. SW Coast Path duly ticked off. Photos duly taken at the
official end/start point and, more importantly, celebratory ciders consumed
(with baguettes) in The Quay.
Day 45 Afternoon –
Minehead to Watchet
We’re now
starting, at 2:30, what is advertised on a Minehead pavement as being the West
Somerset Coast Path. It’s raining – shock horror – and, although it’s not too
heavy, after we’ve left the roads in and outside Minehead, it’s sufficiently
steady as to make conditions on the already sodden ground a tad boggy. Indeed,
John comes a cropper at one point, but his fall is “slow” enough that the
damage is limited to the increased amount of mud on his kit. But by the time we
reach Watchet, we’re all very muddy below the knees and very damp inside the
boots. Colin Bill had indicated earlier that the residents of Watchet might be
a bit wary of “strangers”, but a very hospitable welcome is received at the
West Somerset Hotel. Two ciders before getting ready for supper which is taken
at the The Star just around the corner. Not the best food of the trip (being
the winter, quite a lot cooked from frozen), but good enough, and although
we’re the only customers, the staff are again very welcoming. So much so that
we stay for three stickies (doubles of course), before having a fourth when we
get back to the West Somerset. We wonder whether this constitutes even more
than on the “night of the bottle” at West Bay at the end of day 5?
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