Britain 2011 - Day 13

Introduction

From Barnstaple we drove north to Lynton at the top of the cliff and took the water-powered cable car to Lynmouth at the bottom. On the way we stopped at the Valley of Rocks. Then we had a long drive north past Exeter and Bristol and across the Bristol Channel and up the Wye Valley to Tintern Parva. We visited the Abbey and stayed the night at a nice rural hotel.

Valley of Rocks

Just behind Lynton is a valley full of strange rock formations. It is connected to Lynton by a pathway system and so is a favourite walking track for holidaymakers. We arrived early (just after 9am - which IS early for the British) so had the pick of the car parks, and as it turned out, the best weather and views. I walked up the side of the valley to get the best views, then down to the valley floor and up to the cliff edge. Then it was time to visit Lynton.

The landmark rock in the Valley of Rocks

The dark heather in the foreground

Looking west along the rugged coastline

More detail of the coast

The other side of the valley

Rock scree slopes

The path through the forest

Looking along the length of the valley

The seaward side of the valley

The rock outcrops.

Looking east past Lynmouth

More of the rock outcrops

The valley side

The rocks

The sign post

The tallest outcrop

Looking down on the path that comes along the cliff face from Lynton

Lynton and Lynmouth

After the Valley of Rocks we drove into Lynton and found a car park. Once again we were early and had plenty to choose from. But an hour or so later and all the parks were full. We found the cable car and rode to the bottom. The car system is very simple. The two cars are connected by a rope that runs around a wheel at the top. After loading people the top car fills up a large tank with water, the bottom car empties theirs and gravity takes over. No power needed. We walked through Lynmouth but the clouds moved in and we had light rain. After a coffee and lunch we headed back to the car for the long drive over the Bristol Channel to Tintern Parva.

Hanging baskets on the path to the cable car.

Looking east as the cloud descended.

Entering the cable car.

The view from the top looking down the tracks.

to the terminus and river mouth below

Descending

The terminus

Alighting at the bottom

Looking up the valley past the shops and houses

Must be low tide.

The river mouth - this is the Lyn River

The Lyn River

Lynmouth from the river bank.

The junction of the West Lyn and East Lyn Rivers

The East Lyn

The valley of the West ..

The West Lyn.

The story of the renovation.

A chocolate shop.....

With a window full of chocolate and Cornish Pasties (which we bought for lunch the next day).

Nice of them, but what does it tell you about the weather?.

The main shopping area in Lynmouth

More shops

Looking back

That looks like a New Zealand flax and a cabbage tree to me.

The Rock House

So you don't get lost in this one-street town.

Shops and tea rooms

and a pub.

Another B&B and tearooms

The town from the river mouth

We had to share our lunch with these mobsters

The guy in the hat was rather docile, but the crows.....

they liked breadcrumbs

and squawked for more.

Finally we walked back around the coast ...

to the cable car,

but it was full for that trip,

so we watched it go up

and come down..

No they were not on it this time - part of the original system.

Looking up the track.

The cable and pulley system

Nearing the top

and getting off.

A full view of the car

and the axle system

A final look at the view from the top

Checking with the biosecurity officer, but he was not interested in our bag of chocolate.

Past Rock Rose

and the ubiquitous Post Box.

The road to Tintern

It took nearly three hours to drive from Lynmouth to Tintern. Most of the road is winding and narrow, and creeps through numerous small villages. But that is part of the charm. Then you reach the M5 and speed north past Bristol and over the Channel.

The road climbs out of Lynmouth

and down to Porlock

past pretty houses.

There are various road users to mind out for

including red buses

and double deck tourist ones,

Hedge mowers.

hay movers

And even school field trips.

Cows don't get square meals here either.

Then its up onto the bridge over the Severn

with the other road bridge in the distance

down the other side

And into Wales.

Left to Cas-gwent (Chepstow)

and along the Wye River valley.

Tintern - Parva and Abbey

Tintern is best known for the ruin of an abbey on the banks of the Wye River. There are many wrecked abbeys in Britain, but this one gained prominence through the poetry of William Wordsworth. The small village of Tintern Parva has remained to service the steady stream of tourists who visit the site. We drove along the valley to the abbey, toured the site and then found the Wye Valley Hotel for a drink and quiet night.

The Wye Valley Hotel.