The West Downers Men’s Walking Club
We are a club for reasonably active blokes who enjoy a morning ramble for a few hours followed by a pint or two in an inviting hostelry.
We walk fortnightly during the second and fourth week of each month usually on a Thursday.
Please meet at 09.00 am (unless stated otherwise) in the Parish Hall car park in West Down where we can share transport.
If you would like to join us and for more information please contact Ian Rothwell on 01271 871018 or Tony Stafford on 07866 804788
Walking Club Members
David Maidment – 01271 864349 – davrondevon@outlook.com
Eric Philipson – 01271 865480 – philipson8ra@btinternet.com
Ian Rothwell – 01271 871018 – ihrothwell@btinternet.com
Roger Parry – 01271 855678 – randnparry@hotmail.com
Tony Stafford – 07866 804788 – toestafford@gmail.com
David Pepper – 01271 372413 – davidbpepper@gmail.com
Ashley Daly – 01271 814988- rosashdaly@gmail.com
Bill Scholes – 01271 865382 – famscholes@btinternet.com
Photos from past memorable walks
16.9.2021 –
1.4.2021 – West Down via Little Comfort/ Halsinger/ Heddon Mills/ Foxhunters
Lovely day for the first walk after the latest lockdown….socially distanced of course (2 metres spacing at arms length).
4.1.2020 – Fremington Quay to Instow
Weather was good but very breezy….and a visit to the Boatyard in Instow for a pint and some grub capped a pleasant walk.
23.1.2020 – Baggy Point
Spot the difference!
First walk of 2020 – circular walk starting at Croyde taking in the fabulous views around Baggy Point.
20.6.2019 – Greater Hangman and Combe Martin
Great day for walking up the Greater Hangman which is the highest point on the South West Coastal Path at 1043ft above sea level with cliff face of 800ft which is the highest in England. It’s a fair old slog to get up there but worth the effort with the spectacular views on hand.
28.3.2019 – Watersmeet
Too early in the season to encounter Countisbury Hill so a leisurely walk from Lynmouth to Ash Bridge was well received on a sunny (but cool) day
14.3.2019 – Hunters Inn to Woody Bay
After some wet weather the waterfall at Woody Bay was in full flow
Dunkery Beacon
16.8.2018
A great walk today – if great means that tortuous final climb up from Horner Water!!
As I said to my Aussie friends ……. UK 6 ….. Australia 0
Chittlehampton, Pitt Wood and Umberleigh
10.5.2018
…..into the fairy woods.
Monkleigh, Tarka Trail and Frithelstock
12.4.2018
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- For once Eric had nothing to say….
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- Some of David Pepper’s old aquaintances decided to look him up!!
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- Tarka Trail
Clifton – East Down – Bugford
22.3.2018
North Pole….here we come
David Pepper tying Eric up in knots in the Pyne Arms
Pop-Up Walk – Lee
22.2.2018
… and guess who’s Compo !!!
Hawkridge and Anstey Common
“One boot Eric – muddied and bloodied” – “Roger, Eric, Ian and Chris … the long hard road”
27.10.2017
Winford Hill
Paul, being an old Briton, holds the Caractacus Stone on the top of Winsford Hill whilst we munch our flapjacks.
14.9.2017
Wills Neck and Triscombe Combe
Blue skies made for a spectacular walk on the Quantocks. These Hill ponies were very friendly…possibly because Eric had some tasty morsels to share with them!!
10.8.2017
Arlington Court and Loxhore
Roger was torn between his jug of gravy and a pint of Exmoor at the Pyne Arms, East Down….the pint didn’t stand a chance!!
27.7.2017
Lundy
Many thanks to Chris and Mandy for arranging a great day at Lundy….their enthusiasm and guided tours made up for some rather drab cold weather…and we all got to see the Puffins!!!
29.6.2017
Dolton and Cherbeer
Lovely day for a walk … and a special occasion as Eric had TWO pints!!
25.5.2017
Hurlstone and Selworthy Beacon
Passing some Exmoor ponies near Selworthy Beacon
13.4.2017
Hunters Inn and Cherryford Hill via Woody Bay and Martinhoe Common
Another great walk on a very sunny day. The waterfall at Woody Bay was in full flow due to some pretty poor weather in the days leading up to the walk.
9.3.2017
Woolacombe to Putsborough returning via Woolacombe Down
Ian and Eric striding out
12.1.2017
Baggy Point and Saunton Down
……… “smilers” !!
27.10.2016
Chumleigh and Eggesford Forest
Club members considering whether this mode of transport will get them to the pub sooner…the only problem is the Red Lion doesn’t have a landing pad!!
13.10.2016
Dunster Park and Withycombe Hill
Another lovely walk and the Somerset weather didn’t disappoint.
Dunster Castle in the background
(30.9.2016)
Bampton and Morpeth
And our intrepid leader Tony quotes……”Chaps – lovely walk – thank you for the support, criticism, banter and beer!!”
(25.8.2016)
Withypool and Tarr Steps
Happy walkers by the River Barle
(14.7.2106)
Hunters Inn and Woody Bay
Best of the year so far!! – first walk of the season – after some very poor weather we struck a piece of gold in the sky….this was Devon at it’s best!!
(10.3.2016)
Slade and Borough Valley Walk –
“…..walking is Man’s best medicine…..”
(14.12.2015)
Sheepwash Walk – A good 6 mile walk around the village of Sheepwash with David contemplating his next house move!
(30.9.2015)
Valley of the Rocks Walk – Fabulous weather today for our walk along the Valley of the Rocks – here above Lee Abbey.
(10.9.2015)
Exford and Room Hill Walk – Lyncombe Hill – Flapjack time for Smiler, Truly and Foggy on a lovely Friday morning. Special thanks to Compo for his fine photographic skills.
(4.9.2015)
Lundy – a lunch break by Gannets’ Rock during a great trip to Lundy Island last Thursday
(16.7.2015)
Buck Mills – Eric looking a little sweaty half way through our circular walk from Parkham via Buck’s Mills
DaveWellings – Dave persuading Eric to have a dip
SkinnyDip – Eric and Dave getting very cold
DunkeryBeacon – Mike Lehan (from Australia), Eric, Tony and Ian reaching the heights on a beautiful September day
CountisburyHill – a beautiful 8 mile walk ending on the Coast path looking towards Lynton
Slim v Tubby – David and Tony sporting their physiques!!
Coddenhill – David, Ian and Eric munching Pippa Stafford’s fantastic flapjacks on Codden Hill