Exmoor - Valley of the Rocks

By Laurence -
Today we are off to the Lynton and Lynmouth area, to The Valley of the Rocks to be precise. The Valley of Rocks is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Site of Special Geological Interest and a `must see` as a tourist.
But before I show some images of the area, I would mention that our route took us along the A39 and up Porlock Hill.
Wikipedia sums it up: Porlock Hill is a road west of Porlock, Somerset. It is part of the A39, connecting Porlock to Lynmouth and Barnstaple in Devon and is the steepest A-road in the United Kingdom, approaching 1 in 4 (25%) in places. A parallel toll road is available which travels the same route at an easier gradient. - If only I had known! Never mind, it was an experience!



We stopped at this point, firstly in relief and secondly to admire the fantastic view! It was called Foreland Point and was a wonderful place to admire the view and watch the mist rolling across the hills.


Foreland Point


We had parked the car a short distance from the Valley of the Rocks at the edge of this cricket ground which was Lynton & Lynmouth Cricket Ground - what a spot!


AS we approached the coast, we began to see the wild goats lazing in the sun just ahead of us. Apparently, the goats are even mentioned in the Domesday Book and in the novel Lorna Doone.
To ensure its conservation, the unusual and rare herd has been supported by the Lynton Feral Goat Preservation Society since 1997.



As for the scenery - magical I would say. Well worth the visit.


As we wandered, we were able to see more of the wild goats strolling around their territory.


We then walked back along the coastal path to Lynton, passing the Lynton and Lynmouth funicular Cliff Railway.The multi-award winning and famous Lynton and Lynmouth funicular Cliff Railway opened in 1890 and is the highest and the steepest totally water powered railway in the world! How does this work I thought?

"The Lift works on a simple balancing principle. The two cars are permanently attached to each other by hauling cables that run around a huge 5ft 6" pulley wheel at the top and the bottom of the tracks. There are four cables in total; two hauling cables that carry the weight of the cars and two tail balancing cables that counteract the weight of the hauling cables.
When each car is ‘docked’ with full water tanks the cars are in balance and are ready for loading. Each tank holds 700 gallons of water. As passengers board, variations are accommodated for by the brakes which clamp the cars to the rails. Each car's brakes will hold the weight of both cars fully laden, and the lower car has a water operated locking device which clamps the car to the bottom station. The company was formed in 1888 through an act of Parliament with perpetual rights to extract water from the West Lyn River.
When loaded, the drivers use pre-arranged bell signals, unlock the safety lock, and release the brakes. The lower driver discharges water until the top car is heavier. Sometimes this is achieved with the weight of passengers alone and no water is used. The top car then rolls down the rails pulling the lower car up.
Each car has two sets of water operated brakes. The ‘governor’, which in turn, is driven by the main wheels operates one set. The brake shoes press down on the top surface of the rail and lift the car off the rail by 2mm, thereby using the weight of the car to provide friction between the rail and the brake shoes. The other set of brakes work in reverse to a conventional brake system, the brakes are permanently on and operated by a large water accumulator via the driver's hand wheel 'The Deadman's Handle'. This means when the cars are unattended, the brakes clamp it to the rails making it impossible to move under any circumstances and the driver has to hold the brakes off during the journey."

So now you know!


Countisbury on the way back home - I think.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The hidden history of Little Wenham

By Laurence -
Image
Little Wenham is a small village in Suffolk, England. It is part of the civil parish of Wenham Parva (the ancient name for Little Wenham) within Babergh district. A village with no public roads but fortunately some rights of way. Its most famous building, Little Wenham Hall, is largely hidden from view. To quote Sir Nikolaus Pevsner from his “The Buildings of England” series, “The house was built c.1270 - 80, probably for Sir John de Vallibus and his successor Petronilla of Nerford. It is of great historical importance for two reasons. The first is that it is built of brick, and represents one of the earliest uses of home-made brick in England. Flint is used only for the base of the walls and stone for the much rebuilt buttresses and dressings. The second point of outstanding interest is that the house is a house and not a keep. It is fortified of course, but it is in its shape and appointment on the way from the fortress to the manor house and so ranks with Stokesay and Acton Bu
Read more

The lost Pubs, Inns and Taverns of Hadleigh

By Laurence -
Image
Having been photographing some of the many Listed buildings in Hadleigh, I was surprised at the number of inns, taverns, pubs etc which have been in the town over the years. Then I came across a site called `The Lost Pubs of Hadleigh` and was taken by the idea of photographing all that I could find; bearing in mind that some have been demolished and some are noted, but there is no certainty as to where they actually were situated. There are 21 in total that are listed here, but I understand that there are others of more uncertain nature which may have been inns or pubs. However, here is my effort, starting with what to me was a big surprise! - the ex Council Offices. The Anchor - Bridge Street This pub / beer house managed to go through a few names in its time:  Between 1661 & 1835 it was called the Standard** Between 1837 & 1871 it was called the Barley Mow** Between 1871 & 1927 it was called the Anchor** One landlady was named as Elisabeth Scrivener, and is recorded at th
Read more

Flatford - floods and frost

By Laurence -
Image
Two visits to Flatford in different weather conditions. The first series of photgraphs are taken on the 9th January, after the torrential rains that poured over large parts of the country.The second set are taken (10 days later) in the same area, now largely covered in frost although a fair amount of water remains in the fields. So first the rain. This the start of our normal walk toward Dedham - `not today` we thought! Bridge Cottage, where you can see the `normal edge` to the path under water. Flatford Mill with torrents of water where there is normally a placid flow! The dry dock - somewhere under here. Days later the area is covered in frost! Bridge Cottage and tea rooms looking rather splendid in the frost morning light. Woodfarm Barns at Flatford Frost along the riverside paths Willie Lott`s cottage through the frosty grass. The riverside as you join the footpath leading across the fields. Altogether a period of dramatic weather which was well worth capturing. Home
Read more