Letter from Exmoor: Blown away on a Coastal Safari

July 18, 2014July 17, 20141 Comment

Originally posted by Experience Exmoor on 15/07/2014 and by Ester Spears on 12/07/2014

We love the summer months as we get so many daylight hours to go out and explore Exmoor.

One of the safaris we go on in the evenings when the weather allows it, is the Coastal Safari Special. Visitors who book this experience are usually blown away by it. Metaphorically, just to reassure you ;-).

Of course a Coastal Safari along the National Trust track we can access, is spectacular at any time of the year and day, but when the light changes and the sun is setting on these summer evenings, the experience is particularly magical.

Last week we were joined by local photographer Ester Spears on one of our Coastal Safari Specials. He posted these pictures and comments in his blog:

Where Exmoor meets the sea

The piece of coast from Combe Martin to Lynmouth is surely one of the most dramatic and magical places in North Devon. There’s so much stuff crammed into this little area that no wonder the rich, the famous and the romantics have made this coast where Exmoor meets the sea, their home now, in recent centuries and in not so recent centuries: (With evidence of bronze age through to Roman settlements certainly and possibly earlier). Despite the obvious human attempt to graffiti the landscape with tracks and parish, the influence of the indomitable moor is always present as a bleak and harsh backdrop. There’s cliffs, coves, woodlands, hidden valleys, moorland, waterfalls and ancient woodlands, abundant wildlife and beautiful flora and it is all on display in wonderful awe-inspiring ‘technicolor’ at this time of year when the sun sneaks around the north side of Morte Point to highlight the Exmoor Coast.

Please click on the pic to make it big, coz as you know bigger is better.

The starting point for most, Valley of the Rocks (above) and below (normal view).

Here’s the whole coast, looking across Woody Bay, Crock Point, Duty Point, Valley of the Rocks and Foreland Point in the distance with it’s lighthouse.

No photo trip to the moor would be be complete without a deer sighting, these two hinds obliged, chewing on some wild flower meadow in the late evening sun.

Woods, ponies and sunset.

Many thanks to my mate, Neil Osmond of Exmoor Experience, what a great safari. Please check out the website and enjoy the experience of someone who born on the moor (well in a village on the moor); http://www.experienceexmoor.co.uk/

Canon 5D mk 3 with some L glass: 600mm IS f4, 24-70mm f2.8 ll, 70-300mm IS f4-f5.

Periwinkle Tearoom

May 13, 2014

National Trust Selworthy Tearoom. Photo by Rosie Schneider

PS 20% discount for Exmoor Club members at the Periwinkle Tearoom and the NT Selworthy Shop where Rosie Schneider’s photos are available for purchase.

Kitnors Tearoom

April 2, 201416 Comments

Photo by Dave Rowlatt. Kitnors Tearoom in Bossington.

Volunteers do it…. at the National Trust!

March 24, 2014

Job Opportunity: NT Selworthy

March 24, 2014

Sunshine and Showers

February 21, 20142 Comments

Dunster – Castle and Yarn Market. Photo by Mike Watson

Evenings @ ThePavilion – and more

December 23, 2013

A fortnightly series of evening talks will be starting at the new Lynmouth Pavilion, kicking off with Julian Gurney on Thursday 9 January, showing his wonderful photos and talking about his coastal work as Head Ranger for the National Trust.

Following that is astronomy enthusiast from Porlock, Matt Morris, talking about the Dark Skies of Exmoor, on Thursday 23 January, again 7pm at Lynmouth Pavilion. Telescopes will be set up outside for star gazing if weather permits.

Louise Reynolds, Lynmouth Pavilion Project heritage officer says: “We also have an exciting range of talks in February including an archaeological romp through the parish of Lynton and Lynmouth by Exmoor National Park’s conservation manger Rob Wilson-North: From Hoaroak to Hollerday Hill on Thursday 6 February, and fishing enthusiast Wayne Thomas from Combe Martin will be entertaining us with amazing images as we ‘Glimpse into North Devon’s Angling Past’ on Thursday 20 February.”

Evenings@ThePavilion, 7pm every other Thursday, all welcome.

And more…

On Saturday 11 January Frances Harrison delights us all with her Dark Starry Skies Story Cafe – come and enjoy local stories about Exmoor’s night sky and what it meant to people of the past. There is an opportunity for the audience to add their own stories and poems if they wish. Astronomical refreshments (along a starry theme) are available throughout. Families are encouraged to come along – 3pm-5pm at Lynmouth Pavilion.

Sunday 12January sees the first of a few folk evenings ‘Moor Music Sessions’ which will alternate between the Blue Ball Inn at Countisbury and the Exmoor Forest Inn at Simonsbath. The first one is at the Blue Ball Inn, 8pm on Sunday 12 January – a celebration of local music and song. Musicians, singers and audience welcome!

A fortnightly morning art group aimed at families and children will be starting at Lynmouth Pavilion on 18 January – 10am-12.30, run by a local Lynton artist and volunteers. Please phone 01598 752509 for more details and to book (space is limited so booking is essential). Trial period for 4 sessions – if they go well then the group will continue.