The T.O.C. organisied a superb weekend taking in the glorious scenery of Exmoor on the Friday and Saturday and spending the Sunday at Wiscombe Park for the annual V.S.C.C. hillclimb.

The superb route taken for the Friday and Saturday to test out the Talbots and their owners is described below:

Friday 1pm:
Meet-up for lunch at the Cross Keys on A358 on the NW edge of Taunton.

Friday afternoon: introduction, up A358 direction towards Minehead. Opportunity to turn left after 3 miles at Bishop's Lydeard for those interested to see the southern terminus of the West Somerset Railway, the longest private steam railway in the UK and worth seeing.
One mile north of West Somerset Railway on A358 left onto B3224 into Brendon Hills. After 5 miles turn right on B3188. After 4 miles cross A39, then follow signs to Cleeve Abbey (1 mile), the extensive remains of a monastery.

Then along 2 miles of B3191 to join A39 towards Minehead. After 1 mile magnificent prospect of Dunster Castle - the longest privately owned UK castle (by the Luttrells), high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the coastal plain. I will shortly have determined whether the 7th May will be one of the few days on which it is open to the public. In any event, after making a little loop to take in the sea front at Minehead, we will return to take the A396 into the town itself, where those who wish to may linger - traffic and parking permitting.
After Dunster the route continues south, almost entirely on the A396, to the accommodation in the Dulverton/Bampton area - another 13 miles (a total of approx. 30/35 miles from the Cross Keys).
There will be a small diversion to Winsford for afternoon tea. This will also serve as a point where those who were not able to make it to the Cross Keys for lunch can catch up.

Saturday
Tour of Exmoor: Start at 9am up B3223 North to West of Exford where it joins the B3224 (12 miles), then 1 mile east on B3224 into Exford, and North on back road through Edgcott and Horner to join A39 just east of Porlock (6 miles). This is the only narrow stretch.. Now due west through Porlock and up the dreaded Porlock Hill (which can easily be by-passed by those who might prefer to) and west along the magnificent (mist permitting) A39 coastal road right down to Lynmouth (10 miles), the scene of the awful disaster of 1952 when the river Lyn came charging through the town one night.
Lunch spots in Lynton / Lynmouth will be suggested, as will a trip on the spectacularly simple water powered cliff railway. After Lynmouth we go to Lynton and inland on A39 through the Valley of the Rocks to Blackmoor Gate where it meets the A399, 8 miles (total 36 miles).

Here we are at a crossroads in all senses of the word:
Those who have had enough can turn left and return to the accommodation area by A399 and across Exmoor by the B3358 to Simonsbath, then B3223 back to the Dulverton / Bampton area, 20 miles (total 56 miles); or alternatively take the route which skirts the southern edge of Exmoor, down the A399 to the A361 west of South Molton, then at Newtown west on B3227 to the Bampton / Dulverton area - also 20 miles (total 56 miles).
Those wanting more fun can continue straight on down the A39 to Barnstaple, before heading east on A361 and home as above, 32 miles( total 68 miles), or even turn right onto the A399 to Ilfracombe, (where there is the UK's largest museum of horse drawn carriages, if you like that sort of thing), before returning home via Barnstaple as above, 40 miles (total 76 miles).

Sunday - The TOC at VSCC Wiscombe Park

For those not familiar with Wiscombe, the now well-established hill climb is situated about 6 miles south of Honiton in spectacular wooded surroundings. This year coincided nicely with a glorious display of bluebells beneath trees which can cause unpredictable conditions with a mix of wet and dry track.

The best laid plans it can, it seems, be foiled by a bunch of myopic, trailer-towing hill-climbers. A late Saturday foray to Wiscombe with a long rope, bits of sticks and T.O.C. signs achieved a nicely marked out area for Talbot drivers to position their vehicles the following day - nicely arrayed along the hedge-line, nice and flat to avoid the need for a club tractor and well sheltered from the gale force winds common on many Devon hilltops. But no! During the night trailers tramped across the ropes, squashed the signs and parked themselves all over our spot. VSCC to the rescue in the shape of the VSCC Secretary's father who on spotting the impending disaster kindly roped off another perfect area.

Much debate was had over who the latecomers might be after the previous night's excitement, but a steady flow of Talboteers ambled in during the morning creating an impressive display, much admired by passing visitors. The T.O.C. tent provided shelter from the sun/wind/rain and a convenient recovery zone for those who had hauled themselves up the hill. Club stalwarts venturing into Devon included John Young and Pat Laverack, Tony and Diana Ward, David Booth, Stuart and Val Lloyd, Paul Leat, John and Lucinda Ward, Tom and Carole Watton, Micheal and Tere Marshall, Wavell Urry, Clive and Sylvia Kent, Graham and Barbara Mellish, Stephen Law, Henry and Diana Harvey - apologies to anyone we've missed. As well as the spectators, several Talbot's competed in the hill-climb competition and here are some pictures showing the 3 of them in action! Written by Lu Ward.