ESW holiday to Sidmouth, Devon 30 Nov to 4 Dec 2019

“Two Rookies To Sidmouth” – First Impressions!

It all happened so quickly. We joined our first ESW walk in January, we heard about “Sidmouth”, we asked about cancellations, we heard there was one, and then, we booked it. “Simples”, as those furry little Meercats say. Then, when, over dinner in our Sidmouth Hotel, Helen asked me if I would like to write about our “First Impressions” I fell for it and said yes. So, if this report differs from your normal ones, which seem to be chronological and factually correct accounts accounts – this one definitely will not be. So, here goes!

Photo by Chris L 

As Hana and I dragged our bulging, twenty kilo cases worth of walking/casual/eveningwear/washgear etc., down towards Waitrose at Caterham, we saw the rest of our party and soon recognised some of their faces. Not their names, you understand, just their faces. It was a start.

Bluffing ourselves into conversations with our new ESW pals was easy as everyone was as friendly as they always are on the many walks we’ve been on throughout this year.

It’s always a mad scramble when a coach arrives and everyone wants to sit at the front, but we soon settled down and enjoyed the ride, picking up the last few at Godstone.

At the break, I was surprised how quickly everyone shot off the coach when we stopped off at Amesbury, until we found ourselves at the end of a very long queue in Costas. Running shoes next time!

Back on the road again we enjoyed the journey, and the miles flew by. Great views, especially when passing the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge. This must surely be the nation’s first ever cause, amongst the new generation of road users in the thirties, of “rubbernecking”, (and still looking a bit unfinished, if you ask me.)

Eventually we rolled into Sidmouth, already soaking up the seaside atmosphere, accentuated by the cries of the seagulls, and parked up neatly outside not one, but two hotels.

If you join two halves of a car together it’s called “Cut and Shut”. I’ve no idea what it’s called when buildings are treated the same way, but here we had two Regency survivors. They were beautifully conjoined, both with a great deal of history to be proud of, and looking most welcoming. Once inside The Royal York and Faulkner Hotel we were swept back in time to an era where style was an accompaniment to substance, rather than a substitute.

Photos by Chris L 

Agatha Christie movies could have been made here, and the standards were impeccable. Traveller’s Tip:- If you ever want to see how well renovated an old hotel is, go to the bathroom and look at the mould on the tiles, cracked or otherwise. Ours were absolutely perfect.

Time to produce our drinks vouchers and we managed to not get killed in the rush. Another short chance for Hana and I to try to learn some new names, and then we were called in to an excellent, lip-smacking dinner. This was swiftly followed by a lovely guy, Brian, who sang us the kind of songs that are indelibly woven into our memory boxes, never to be forgotten. Lost my voice, but it was worth it.

By now Hana and I had learned a few more names and were quite good at it, or so I thought. Then I had a chance to chat to some guy I hadn’t met till then, standing at the bar before dinner, and I fell to telling how I’d enjoyed the walk, and about the weather and so on. Then I asked about his walk and he said he wasn’t a walker at all, he was just staying there with his wife! Idiot!

Up bright and early next morning for our respective walks. Brilliantly organised and led by experienced and patient Leaders (bit like herding kittens), and off we went. At the beginning of my walk I hadn’t gone very far when I noticed two things. First of all, we were going very steeply up what looked like a never-ending climb, and secondly, it was really sunny. I mean, who would expect sun in Devon anyway? But in the Winter? What goes on, one asks.

Photos by Brian S

Now, as this is about our first impressions, we two rookies can only say that the walks on this, and the following days, were spectacular, very hilly, chilly (despite the winter sun) and well run. We have had no experience of any other walker groups within the Rambler Association but we are certainly pleased that, by pure chance, we have found ourselves with such a great bunch of peeps as ESW. Everyone was chatty, supportive, and friendly at all times.

Next day, another walk and, with sharpened appetites, we returned to the hotel(s) and once again found entertainment in the form of that most English form of torment…le Quiz! It gave us a chance to forget our aching limbs and find ourselves with aching brains instead. “Did we really forget to pack Paracetamol, dear?”

I don’t feel equipped to do the chronological thing that these articles usually do, and that was not the brief. You are all well aware of these fabulous excursions and how they go. I cannot list all the activities, as I wasn’t in them all. I chose not to write down the names of the quiz winners because I was too busy sulking, and illness kept me in my room for most of a day. (And that’s enough about me) But here, for the record, is how two first-timers saw this first one they experienced. And I submit some photos for good measure.

Photos by Brian S

Firstly, and most importantly, the company was our first priority and it never waivered. Thank you all for being so friendly.

Next, the organisation was impeccable. The implacable Leaders left nothing to chance, and put the safety and well being of their group as a priority. Helen, of course, as Boss of ESW is adored by all and totally appreciated by our members, and quite rightly so. We are SO lucky!

Photo by Hana L                                                  

Then, in no particular order, things like, the hotel staff were brilliant/ the food came almost as we ordered it/great little town/superb and well thought out walks/great coach driver Daniel - particularly his reversing skills/beautiful scenery/ great choice of options – the trip to Exeter for non-walkers being a great success/the entertainment, and lastly – but not leastly, “THE WEATHER”

And on this point, once again, how does she do it? How does Helen bring this group together for such holidays not once, not twice, or even thrice, but SEVEN TIMES ON THE SPIN.

Clear blue, cloudless skies, and temperatures that just shouldn’t happen at this time of the year. I mean, a crowd of walkers on a Devonshire beach in December wearing tee shirts, and one of them, later, actually going in for a dip? Incredible.

 Photo by Brian S

So, I hope that fulfils the brief. The first time impressions of two rookies who truly enjoyed their first experience, and – like Oliver Twist - would like “MORE”.

Chris Law