Day 45 Porlock to Watchet

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?