Devonshire's East Devon magazine September October 2018

It was really marvellous here, such a variety
of scenery and colour. The heather and ferns
covering the sides of the famous valley, which
is quite enclosed by steep hills, were really
beyond description.
We then proceeded in our coach to the
Church at Oare where Lorna Doone was shot.
Stayed here 10 minutes. Then ascended to the
coast road which runs to Lynton. Wonderful
view here, on the right the steep rugged cliffs
and the Bristol Channel, and on the left a panoramic
view of miles of North Devon, trees, hills
and valleys, and Watersmeet just below. A mile
or two of this and we descended the famous and
steep Countisbury Hill (1-4) to Lynton & Lynmouth,
passing through which, we ran through
the valley to Myrtlebury. Here we all got out
and walked along under the trees beside the
river Lynn to Watersmeet where we had tea.
Up to the road again and entered the
coach for home. Arrived back at 6-30 and had
dinner 7p.m. after which, it being a glorious
evening, we walked down to the harbour which
is very quaint. By the time we had got there it
was dark, but it was a clear moonlight night,
and warm, so we stayed out until 11p.m. then
home to bed.
The next day dawned, rather dull but fine. We
decided to spend the day at Lee, an old fishing
village on the other side of Ilfracombe. We took
the bus to Ilfracombe and from here ascended
the cliff road to Lee. It was very windy and
started to rain, but we kept on and about 12-30
descended onto the hidden and sheltered old
world of Lee, also called Fuschia. Passed the
cottage of the Three Old Maids of Lee and so to
the waters edge. We had dinner on the cliffs,
then, as a slight drizzle persisted, we returned
to Ilfracombe where we eventually caught
the bus back to Combe Martin, arriving home
in time for 7 o’clock dinner. The evening was
spent sorting out each other’s snaps. There
were 5 cameras in the party and between us
over 200 photos. We settled our bills with the
landlady and made the various collections for
tips for the maids. At 10p.m. we set out for a
village tour by the light of our torches, and
finished by taking coffee at a small café at the
harbour. We got back to bed at 11-45.
A bright sunny day and the last for all but
4 of us. After breakfast group photos were taken
in the garden of the whole party and the last
packing done by those who had to go. About 10
new visitors arrived to replace those who had
gone. They were a queer lot and we 4, who had
a table to ourselves, were much amused at the
things they said. About 8 o’clock we strolled
up to the farm and stayed to well after dark
talking to the farmer out in the farmyard. He
was a fine fellow and the third generation on
the same farm. We went down to bed at 10-20
as there was a good bit of packing to do and we
had to get up earlier in the morning.
Up at 7-30 for breakfast at 8-30. Bade our
fairwells to all and left C.M. on the 9-40 bus
to catch the 10-35 train from Ilfracombe. The
day was fine and warm. We had sandwiches
at about 1 o’clock and liquid refreshment in
the dining car later. Arrived at Waterloo at
4-30, 25 minutes late. Dorrie & I then took
the Underground to Mark Lane and thence to
Fenchurch Street. After a wait of 30 minutes
we caught the 5-56 which was a fast train to
Westcliff where we arrived at 6-50, and were in
home by 7p.m.
It is interesting that Mark Lane underground station no longer
exists. In 1946 its name was changed from Mark Lane to
Tower Hill. Huge passenger numbers and limited space for
expansion led to its closure in 1967 and replacement by the
present Tower Hill station.
Thus ended the most enjoyable holiday
that any of the party had ever had. There was
a wonderful spirit in the party the whole time
It was really remarkable that everyone was
out, not only to have a good time themselves,
but to do their best to give the others a good
time.
Needless to say everyone came home
“broke”. It’s amazing where the money goes,
what with Devonshire teas, films and photos,
postcards etc. But our board was cheap, 35/-
per head per week which was the party rate.
The food was good and although they might
have had a little more variety, they gave us
plenty, especially when we took our meals out
for the day. The hot dinners they gave us when
we got back at night were good and the men
were always served first, for some reason or
other, and given nearly twice as much as the
ladies.
This record of our doings in Devon is
brief, but it gives an idea of what we did.
Our holiday in the footsteps of our parents was a great
success. I think they would have been delighted with our
efforts. We concluded that public transport facilities in 85
years may have changed, though not always for the worse,
that the towns and villages have gained a few more houses
whilst maintaining their character, and the North Devon
coastline and countryside remain essentially timeless in their
accessibility and beauty - Alan Parsons.
1933 Watersmeet
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What’s on in Devon
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