Day 43 – Combe Martin to Lynmouth

Slightly delayed start due to signal problems at Reading West for the London arrivals, but collection by Martin gets us back to Combe Martin and on our way just before 11:00. It’s the end of November but, yet again, we’ve managed to hit on a perfect day – cool, dry and bright. Sufficiently chilly for varying combinations of hats, scarves and gloves to be worn but, soon after the first climb out of Combe Martin, these are removed and, in the case of John’s hat, left by the path. Much of the early part of today’s walk is slightly inland, but good progress is made and purity is quickly restored well before the steep descent and ascent at Heddon’s Mouth and round to Woody Bay. By the time the afternoon light begins to fade, we’re almost at Lynton. A leisurely stroll down the zigzag path adjacent to the cliff railway (not operating) brings us to Lynmouth, and no difficulty is encountered in finding the Village Inn featuring log fire, family of sprockers, old Christmas number ones on the TV, a solitarty judy walker (who seems to like her beer), and an almost too friendly/slightly gushing mine host. Not wishing to be too radical, a couple of ciders are consumed before freshening up and supper. Mine host arranges for a Colin called Ray to pick us up from the Ship at Porlock tomorrow afternoon. Pretty good pub food with a bottle of red and, on this occasion, John and Ben form the “sticky team” – with Gary being the one to retire early.