Selworthy Holiday 8th June 2017

We had escaped any serious rain during the week, one of the wettest for England this summer, but we ran out of luck late on this our last day. Starting out from Lynmouth along the valley of the East Lyn River, we passed the site of the hamlet of Middleham which was completely destroyed by the flood of 15th August 1952. Very pleasant walk up the river with plenty of birdlife. The National Trust stop at Watersmeet where the East Lyn meets the Hoaroak water seemed a good excuse to have a cup of tea and perhaps a cake or two. At this stage we coud have walked back down but jointly decided to go up to the village of Countisbury and then walk back along the coast to Lynmouth. Apart from the weather it was a good choice. Walking up through the woods was OK but as soon as we reached open ground near the top it began to rain heavily. We hoped the pub, the Blue Ball Inn, would be as helpful as the hotel in Porlock Weir but it wasn't to be, so another soaking until we reached the sanctuary of Countisbury Church. A good place for our picnic lunch and to wait for the rain to ease up. Just under an hour later the rain had stopped and we continued down to Lynmouth, eventually in bright sunshine. A splendid end to the week.