Valley of the Rocks

I admit I had forgotten how much of an absolute bitch Porlock Hill is. Yes, yes, there is a recommended alternate route, but we were on holiday at last and we should get everything out of it we can before the buggers send us home again.

Porlock Hill is the steepest A-road in Britain, and rises something like 200m over less than a mile, and includes some viciously tight and rising turns. Molly Camper swore at me, as I slipped her into first gear, and muttered something about being almost vintage, but managed girl-fully at ten miles per hour until we got to the top.

At the top I felt it was time for a pause, and we stopped next to a lorry with its bonnet also up, steaming gently in the damp grey atmosphere of 350m above sea level (which we could see once the mists lifted). Sandwiches done and the fan having finally stopped, we headed to Lynton and the Valley of the Rocks.

We are now safely ensconced in the camp site at Damage Barton. Masks are required for the shared areas, and it’s busier than normal, but having been here so many times we get Christmas cards from the owners it’s good to be back.