We were all ready to walk to the valley of rocks, but just as we were about to leave the rain started. It looked set in, so we decided we should take the car instead. We headed towards Porlock and through Minehead which despite our expectations we though looked realy worth a look round. Our aim was to have a look at the medieval village of Dunster with its casatle at the top of the hill. We paked outside the village (£1.50 for 2 hours). Found another homing pigeon ring near the church, this time with a live pigeon attached, number GB 08 C 30083.
The sun was out by the time we got back to the car, so we thought a walk was on the cards. We parked at the long term car park in Porlock, (£2.50 for 4 hours, turns out you can park at the village hall for 20p). We put on our boots and headed towards Porlock Weir, the path was in an ancient oak wood, but after Porlock Ford Helen hit her “trough of disillusionment” when we lost the path signs and were heading up hill. I had read the map and knew we were heading in the right direction, and we were soon at the famous Weir.
A sandwich stop was in order which took Helen to “the age of enlightenment“ and everything was right with the world, particularly when I found an aquarium to look round. (Ed. “Bloody cheek”) The plan was to walk back across the stony beach along thje coastal path and then strike inland halfwauy across the bay. Unfortunately we were thwarted by the breach in the beach, well that is what the signs said anyway.
The sign said we had to go another way, but that was not going to stop us going along our planned route, a slight detour and a small trespass and we were back on route. By the time we had got back to the town we had walked about 6 miles, and needed some retail therapy. Helen purchased some cheese and crackers.
On the way home we chose the toll road run by the Porlock estate based in Bath. The road is very twisty and the views are fantastic (£2.50 for a very quiet road reminds Helen of the French autoroutes). Back at the hut I downloaded the days photos and then Freshened up before hitting the town. We arrived at the Vanilla Pod restaurant at about 1845 and were the first customers. The food was very good, we shared a mezze, I then had the fish stew and Helen the leek and butternut squash. I would recommend it to anyone in the the area.