Ipernity Explore-Gallery

As we hike back to the car from the Bearded Lake we pass near the bottom farm just in time to see the farmer rounding up his sheep. No doubt a sheep-dog was also nearby. HWW, have a great day.

Having just found a small parking spot on the heights of Porlock hill between Porlock and Lynmouth in Somerset we look north here over the Bristol Channel to South Wales. After days of rain, at last the sun comes out to play and what a difference that makes. Enjoy full screen.

A delightful dip into the world of fantasy taken from the watchtower of Hurlstone Point. An outer world insight here perhaps or just an overworked imagination of this wonderful fenced corner. Essential full screen Enjoy the weekend.

As the A39 road trundles over the river here in this steep valley at Lynmouth, I look back with some pleasure up the river where a pleasant walk through the woods on the left climbs up to a place called ‘WatersMeet. Here also, seen just before this bridge on the right hand side is the confluence of the West Lyn River. The two rivers have caused devastation to the village in the recent past. HWW, have a great day.

A view of part of this popular old village with its river and beacon tower. It’s difficult to imagine that this was the scene for one of our worst flood disasters (see below). Essential full screen. Enjoy the weekend. “ON FRIDAY 15 AUGUST 1952, THE TINY VILLAGE OF LYNMOUTH SUFFERED WHAT COULD BE DESCRIBED AS THE WORST RIVER FLOOD IN ENGLISH HISTORY. On the day itself, just over 9 inches (230mm) of rain fell, 6 inches (150mm) of which fell in a few short hours in the afternoon/early evening. Add in the 6 inches (150mm) of rain that had already fallen in the first two weeks of August, then it is no surprise that the top of Exmoor was unable to absorb the rainfall and was totally overwhelmed. A noted author, S H Burton, recorded that water stood 18 inches (450mm) deep in the area of the moor around the Chains – indeed, the road between Lynmouth and Simonsbath, ironically at a place called Dry Bridges, was reported to the Devon Constabulary in the early evening as being washed away and impassable. The road here is half a mile above Farley Water, the nearest river. It was estimated that 90 million tons of rain fell in North Devon and West Somerset on that day. This rainfall flooded into the many tributaries of the East and West Lyn rivers and, consequently, many tons of water, soil, boulders and vegetation descended through the narrow valleys (or coombes) of Exmoor from 500 metres up on the moor to meet at sea level in Lynmouth itself. On its way, various bridges blocked the flow until they collapsed and subsequently a wall of water and rubble hit Lynmouth in the late evening. Effectively, Lynmouth was destroyed during that night. The statistics make incredible reading. The West Lyn river rose 60 feet (18.25 meters) above the normal level at its highest point; 34 people in the wider area lost their lives – 28 in the Lynmouth/Barbrook area alone. In 1953, the “58th report of Scientific Memoranda of the Devonshire Association“, prepared by specialist Mr C H Dobbie, concluded amongst other points that “the flow (of water) in the tributaries and branches exceeded the ‘acute catastrophic flood’ definition for England. As assessed by a preliminary investigation, the flow could be included in the list of extreme flood discharges of the world. The tiny catchment area of 39 square miles yielded a flow that has only been exceeded twice by the River Thames with all its 3812 square miles since measurements started in 1883.“ Further, Mr Dobbie calculated that the water that fell in that one day would supply the water needs of Lynmouth’s total population for 108 years. Following the devastation, 114,000 tons of rubble was cleared from the village, some of it being used to extend the Esplanade Car Park, but most of it being dumped into the channel and dispersed by tidal motion. " visitlyntonandlynmouth.com/history-heritage/the-1952-lynmouth-flood-disaster

Watch the goat droppings but do enjoy the view looking towards Lynmouth. A lot of seats around here which tells me something about the style of tourist they expect around here, but that suited us fine! We are looking east over Lynmouth Bay towards Foreland Point where we were to explore a few hours later. Enjoy full screen. Have a great day.

Another capture of the village of Lynmouth showing the harbour walls and old tower. The PiP (last photo) shows one of a number of flights of steps here that, allow boat and fishermen to access their craft. The harbour has been here a long time, in fact since Medieval days. It has been altered by floods, in particularly the 1952 one but there has floods here that devastated the village in 1607 too. In fact the word Lyn comes from the Old English ‘hlynn’ meaning ‘torrent’ HWW, have a great day.

Seen in the front garden of one of the old cottages along Minehead promenade. I presume he went fishing from the old harbour just across the road from here and he’s had a successful catch by the look of things! Enjoy the weekend.

As autumn really takes a hold here in Oldham’s Tandle Hill Park, I am reminded how lucky I am to have such scenes on my doorstep. Having just returned from a trip to New England, USA, famed for its Autumn colours, we never saw scenes quite like this on our quick visit. It is said that this year is a good year here for Autumn colour as it has been so wet. It looks like that may be so. Enjoy full screen. I must admit that New England had far more red's in the trees though.

Another from the Cliff Walk of Newport, Rhode Island showing the rather nice coast as well as another glimpse of the mansion gardens that abound here. We were to walk way past the distant houses. Enjoy the weekend.

A small picnic site that is very popular in good weather here on the edge of Dovestones reservoir in Saddleworth. This area was in fact the site of the old ‘Ashway Gap House’ known as the castle, built around 1850 and demolished circa 1980. Enjoy full screen. Have a great day. Ps more info on Ashway Gap House: www.doveheritage.com/ashway-gap-house (including one of my old photos.)

A walk on the beach at Minehead, especially with a child or dog must always be a pleasant experience. Today the walkers have a special treat with this lovely rainbow. Photographed from the top edge of the promenade wall and path. Enjoy full size.

Seen on the end of a big old warehouse in the seaport city of St John, New Brunswick, Canada. I think It is showing the re-building of the town after the Great Urban Fire’ of 1877 that destroyed two-fifths of the city. Most of the wooden city by the water was gutted leaving only the brick buildings and making 13,000 people homeless. It destroyed 200 acres and 1612 structures HWW, have a great day.

A prettier location can hardly be found for a ford such as this. We have just crossed the old bridge here over Oare Water and now we follow the wooded Doone Valley. (PiP) Enjoy full screen.

Another capture from along this trail as we make our way up river. Described as a charming romantic ramble, who am I to doubt that? See Pip for previous picture taken just a few hundred yards before this scene along the left hand side of the bridge down river. Christmas Wishes.

Looking down to the reservoir here, still in shadow on this late December morning we see the day opening up as new warm light falls on Alderman’s Hill on our right. This is always a popular view for me but I have seldom seen it displayed quite like this. An hour or so later, local cloud had cast the whole valley in flat light again. Enjoy this last week of 2023 in peace and joy. Herb

Dec 21 2010 As Winter took hold of this spot just to the north of Pendle Hill one can see and understand the real beauty of snow and light. Taken thirteen years ago whilst visiting a nearby hostelry for a birthday celebration. It was one of our coldest days for many years at -8C in the middle of the day but this short walk to what to us was a familiar spot was well worth the frosty fingers. Enjoy full screen Have a good weekend

Take in the sea air here on Porlock hill, overlooking Lynton and Lynmouth. Another from my recent Somerset trip, that I just had to share. See below for another shared bench with the same view a little lower down the hill. Enjoy full screen.