A dull May morning greeted members as they started on their journey of exploration of Somerset & North Devon. First stop Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) where they caught a steam train to Washford.

Joining the train ...	... after a quick check ...
... that there was enough steam to make it go.	Some people could remember owning luggage like this ...
... and travelling in carriages like this ...	... and it was fun to reminisce with friends.

On arrival at Washford it was time for a visit to the Cisercian abbey of Cleeve, said to contain the finest cloister buildings in England.

Visitors today can catch a glimpse of monastic life 800 years ago; although the abbey church was destroyed by Henry VIII during the dissolution in 1536, the cloister buildings including the gatehouse, 15th century refectory with its glorious angel roof and 13th century heraldic tiles have survived remarkably intact.

We're off again this time to appreciate ...	... 350 years of history.
The buildings round the cloister ...	... are still roofed and habitable.
Not only does the refectory have a glorious ...	... angel roof it also ...
.. has 13th century heraldic tiles ...	... on the floor.
The great dormitory is one of the best examples in the country ...	... and an exhibition and virtual tour tells the story of the abbey.
Many of the rooms retain their vaults.	The church was destroyed by Henry VIII but what remains is worth a visit.

Once more into the coach and a quick visit to Minehead for lunch then on to Lynmouth a Devon village in on the north edge of Exmoor.

The village straddles the confluence of the West Lyn and East Lyn rivers, in a gorge 700 feet (210 m) below Lynton, to which it is connected by the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway. There was time for a walk round to admire the scenery and to take the opportunity for a cream tea.

The tide was out ...	... but that didn't spoil ...
... the scenery in this ...	... attractive ...
... seaside ...	... village.

Photographs taken by Veronica Smith.