Meet at the National Trust Car Park at Middle Hope
at 10am. Maps and start grid ref: OS Landranger 182gr ST330659, Explorer 153
It will take you about 50mins to an hour to get there. The adventure should take about three hours.
You will need strong footwear; dress according to the weather forecast for the day; there is no shelter away from the car park and toilets (clean Gents with paper and soap – no I didn’t go into the Ladies). There are various routes that can be taken according to your fitness and ability. Most of the land is in pasture, which makes easy walking but is a lot of mud in places. There are steep steps or a steep stony path to the top of the ridge. I counted only one stile, to the steps, and that can be missed out with a longer walk. There are steep steps over some high walls.
See
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-coastal_walk-sand_point.pdf
for details of the area.
In addition to the history and ecology as detailed on the website above, the geology is fascinating but involves getting down on to the beaches and the tide will be coming in. There is evidence of volcanic activity in a tropical climate and of glaciation – separated by over 300 million years. There are lots of fossils, mainly corals and sea lilies, to be found, amongst the beach pebbles or photographed in the rocks for those who are interested - no hammers allowed. For those interested in bird watching I identified redshank, oyster catcher, heron, buzzard, and a much bigger raptor but I hesitate to say marsh harrier, mute swan, canada goose, wheatear, stonechat, pipits, curlew, black headed gull, magpie and crow. You may have noted that I have been back since my last ‘essay’.
Dogs need to be kept on a lead in most areas as there are sheep in lamb in the fields.
We will go on to Woodspring Priory on foot but with the option to go by car for those who would prefer to.
I can take four people with me. Please let me know a) if you are coming, with contact details, b) if you are prepared to drive and have spare seats, c) if you would like a lift. I will organise a pub for lunch on the way back. I am told that The George at Backwell is worth visiting (any other suggestions will be welcome). Let me know if you are going to want lunch so that I can try to sort something out.
Contact 9734955 Mobile 07740 469 408 Jeff.Hurran@blueyonder.co.uk
