First time running this as a continuous loop. Started at 5am from the centre of Exford and ran in a clockwise direction. Perfect weather for the whole of the day, little too warm on occasions. My first landmark was the top of Dunkery Beacon, the highest point in Somerset before heading to the National Trust Car park at Bossington. Was able to use the toilet and this was my first planned crew stop with Robin Upton crewing me for the whole day. Was here for around 10-15 minutes before heading onto the South West Coastal path, then it was a small loop back on yourself to hit the top of Selworthy beacon, then down through the woods to Selworthy village. Robin Crewed me again here but there is also an excellent cafe here that if you timed it right you could use.
Uneventful trip across from Selworthy to Dunster, a picturesque market town with a distinctive octagonal structure in the heart of the town, The castle dominates the skyline. Lots of shops you could use here if you were self supported. Next stop Roadwater where there is another great cafe in the local post office. It was warming up a little bit by now and the climb along the Coleridge way in the shade of the woods was welcome. This stretch to Wimbleball lake is tougher than it looks, i was getting tired and the heat was getting higher.
Following a crew point on the way to the lake it was a shorter trip over towards Dulverton. Lots of options here for shops etc plus a river Exe runs trough it and I found lots of families swimming in the river. Next leg took me to Tarr steps which is an old clapper bridge, which you can see in my pictures. Then it's about 8 miles to close the loop back to Exford. Robin ran out to meet me for the last 2 miles of the route.
All in all a brilliant day on the trails. This is an easily achievable time for someone to go and beat, I'm just really happy to be the first. Lots of options for water on route if you have filter flask, if not then these are your best bets:
Bossington National Trust CP, Dunster, Roadwater, Wimbleball Lake and Dulverton