Synopsis: A walk along a new part of the Exe Estuary Trail. There were many cyclists about as Exmouth was holding a cycle festival on the day. Rather inclement, but I didn’t mind.
There were two factors that dictated the choice of walk for today: (1) I had become aware that a new section of the Exe Estuary Trail was to be opened on the previous day, and (2) the weather was forecast to be that of a typical Bank Holiday weekend. By choosing this walk, if the weather really did come in bad, then there were many escape route options by which I could simply jump on a bus and travel home. I’m actually sat on Lympstone beach typing this blog, when breaks in the showers allow me to do this.
The day started with a trip into the city centre of Exeter to visit the Central Library where an exhibition of old photos from the county’s Local Studies collection was on display. The library only has a small exhibition space in the foyer so the number of photos that they could display was limited, but it was worth the trip all the same. There were some excellent photos of the old Digby Hospital, which was the County Lunatic Asylum in its day. It was opened in 1886 and there were photos showing the opening ceremony with all the local dignitaries in attendance. There were also some excellent photos of the recreation areas, showing billiard tables and reading areas, which seemed to offer splendid amenities. The same couldn’t be said of the dormitories where beds were crammed in and there was no privacy to be had. And apparently the toilets were flushed down with hosepipes, cisterns only coming at a much later date. The hospital cost £100,000 to build, and overall one has to commend the Victorians for the care they showed the less fortunate of society. There were also on display photos of the Ley family from Kenn, loaned from a personal collection.
As an example of the photos that the Devon Local Studies unit holds, I would recommend viewing the images from the Exeter Pictorial Record Society.
Exmouth - Orcombe Point - replacement stepsFrom the library I made a quick dash to the bus station and was just in time to catch the 10:50 am bus to Exmouth. On arriving in Exmouth I cut across the town to join the coast near Orcombe Point. I walked out to the Point, easy to do as the tide was out, whereupon I noticed that new steps had been put in place where the sea had claimed those previously installed here. There was a lot of low cloud and mist swirling about, and a stiff breeze blowing, so the only people about were dog walkers. It had all the makings of a typical Bank Holiday wash out.
I needed to find some shelter from the wind to eat my lunch and settled upon a bench tucked behind a wall of the new life boat station. The old granite built life boat station of 1906 is obviously no longer fit for purpose, although quite why I really don’t know. I suspect the earlier life boat station will outlive this new modern building, although I must commend the styling which has been executed with a certain flair. Trouble is it breaks the old sight-line along the beach in rather a dramatic fashion, which is something of a shame. I can only assume that was high in the mind of those planner's who approved this development.
Exmouth - surfers galoreI did manage to eat my lunch in the dry, with even the odd glimpse of sun, but eventually a thick mist rolled in from the sea as I set out on my walk across Exmouth. There was a strong breeze blowing and the surfers were out in numbers. I imagine it was near perfect condition for them. This last 12 months has seen a substantial sand bar appear across the mouth of the Exe, and the surfers were using this as an island from which to launch themselves.
Exmouth - I see no seaAs the tide was out the lagoon behind Exmouth was completely free of water, and in fact it was difficult to see just where the water was. I could see that there was rain falling on the hills across the river, and this weather appeared to be headed my way.
Lympstone - clock tower, built around 1885 by W.H. Peters as a memorial to his wife Mary.
On reaching Lympstone, as previously mentioned, I stopped to write my journal, sitting below Peter’s Tower, trusting that my netbook was shower proof. I then spent a little time looking around the beautiful village of Lympstone. There are metal gates that can be swung across the streets leading down to the beach. When an early warning alert systems warns the villagers of high tides and risk of flooding, these gates have to be swung into place to protect the village. All sounds a little precarious to me, and I’m not sure that would be something I’d like to live with.
Lympstone - new stretch of Exe Estuary cycle route to Exton
There was a marshal in Lympstone directing cyclists onto the stretch of the Exe Estuary cycle trail newly open. This follows the lane up past the railway station, through the small car park, then on up and over a bridge across the railway tracks. This was to be my course for Exton, which is as far as the cycle trail now goes. Eventually it is intended that a final section of the trail will connect Exton to Topsham, whereupon it will be possible to cycle safely from Exeter to Exmouth. This will be quite an asset to the area. The Exe Estuary trail is also intended to run along the other bank of the River Exe down to Dawlish.
Exton - railway stationOn reaching Exton I stopped briefly to rest on a bench (photo right) at the railway station and take in the view. A train pulled up and the driver popped his head out the window and asked if I wanted the train. I replied, “No thank you.” Perhaps I shouldn’t have been sitting there? I decided I didn’t want to hold up more trains, so I went and sat in the car park. There seemed to be quite a few bicycles parked at the Puffing Billy pub here in Exton. I reckon they could do a good trade on the back of the cycle route now reaching this port of call. From here it was only a short walk back to the main road from where I caught my bus home.
The day went according to plan, and proved to be a good choice. The weather was quite variable, and it was comforting to know I could call the walk off at anytime if the weather really did close in on me. It was easy walking, as you will see from the total ascent figure shown below. I felt exercised all the same, and had a thoroughly enjoyable day, finding lots to interest me along the way. I’ll have to come back on my bike some time soon, perhaps when the sun is shining.
Walk Statistics:
Total Distance: 8.8 miles
Moving Time: 3hrs 24min
Stopped Time: 45min
Total Ascent: 227 metres
Maximum Elevation: 50 metres
Buses: 57
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