The SW Coast Path Beginning

I stayed with Tony and Christine from May 4 to May 7 when my cousin, John, came and picked me up and took me to Camberley. I also managedto meet up with Chris, Jenny's nephew, and his girlfriend, Anastayia, in Stepney on the Saturday morning and then spent the evening with June Sayer and June Veal and their husbands and enjoyed a takeaway curry meal. In Camberley John and I decided that I should take advantage of the opportunity to start my hike early so, after doing some very efficient shopping with Dee, John drove me down to Minehead on May 9. We arrived in Minehead in the early afternoon which gave me plenty of time to do the 9.5 miles (15.2km) to Porlock. It was a good start with blue skies and warm sunshine. The path goes along the edge of Exmoor which is a UK national park. Much of it is moorland as you can see in this picture.

Just before I reached this point I had a sign that I must be on the edge of Exmoor. Sheltering under a tree away from three of his friends I found these Exmoor ponies that roam wild on the moor.

My first day ended after 9.5mi (15.3km) of hiking up and down the coastal hills and valleys at the village of Porlock for a total cumulative elevation gain of 1824ft (556m). I knew my next day was going to be more strenuous so I opted to look for a B&B for the night. I checked at a pub but they were full but recommended a B&B just down the street. So that was where I stayed for the night. A great night and an excellent breakfast the next morning.