Our final group photo for this year as today is our last day of walking. After a delicious, leisurely breakfast, we loaded all our luggage into Steve's car which he retrieved from a friend's house last night. The original plan was to walk to Instow today and then get the ferry across to Appledore and walk to Westward Ho! However the tide will be out when we get to Instow so no ferry. We are hoping to catch a bus to Appledore or Westward Ho! We will then return to Instow where a taxi has been booked to take four of us back to Minehead to collect our cars where we will meet up with Steve, Paul and our Luggage..
Our walk today begins back in the town with a walk over the Long Bridge which dates from the 13th century, widened in 1798 and 1963.
A local workman has found an alternative use for his wheelbarrow.
Today we will be walking along the other side of the River Taw . The old railway track is a paved cycleway as well as the South West Coast Path. Another of the unusual cycle route waymarkers.
It wasn't a particularly interesting walk as it was so straight. We also needed to be alert and not stray into the path of cyclists.
Saw a few different kinds of birds in the estuary. There were lots of shelducks which I thought were geese at first until I zoomed in on them.
Curlew and Egret (I think).
On the other side of the track was farmland. I am pleased to say the cows were grazing peacefully well away from the path!
The railway closed in 1982 but the old Fremington station still remains. It is now a cafe which made a welcome stop for many. We hadn't been walking long enough to warrant a stop other than making use of the toilet facilities.
Lots of families out on their bikes. Many with dogs running alongside their owners. Others took the easier option.
A short distance from the old station we crossed a bridge over a tidal inlet.
Out on the wet sand were a couple digging for lugworms I assume.
The path now went inland a little way.
On and on the path went.
Finally we could see the preserved signal, level crossing and signal box at Instow.
If you look at the map you can see Instow in the top right with Appledore on the other side of the River Torriidge.
As you can see the tide is out so we can see Appledore but there will be no ferry this afternoon to get us there. We all had an ice cream whilst we decided what to do next. The dogs are well catered for here.
I decided to get a bus to the other side of the river but that didn't work out either, as I could only get one to Bideford and it would take too long to change buses there. In the end I had a wander along the coast enjoying the sunshine.
At the end of the afternoon Steve and Paul caught a bus back to Barnstaple to collect the luggage filled car and drive it to Minehead. The rest of us got a taxi back to Minehead. In the evening we all went out for a meal to a pub in the medieval village of Dunster close to Minehead. A final evening to reflect on the walk and discuss plans for next year. Once again, another very enjoyable week of walking and companionship, but we all agreed maybe less elevation next year!
Kew gardens forms the backdrop to Dale Chihuly's amazing glass artwork. Although the weather wasn't perfect, the displays and artwork were well worth persevering with the changeable weather.
