" Where the Zider Apples Grow " .sx Roaming through a delightful corner of north-western Somersetshire .sx And a visit to Culbone Church the smallest of its kind in all England .sx by P. OLIVER .sx TOWERING hills , deep thickly wooded coombes , high heather-clad moorland , rushing streams of purest water that small but remarkable portion of the north Somersetshire coast west-wards from Minehead consists of this magnificent scenery in which are set some of the prettiest villages in the country .sx In the following short notes an endeavour will be made to enumerate some of the features of especial interest and charm which render the district so attractive .sx Firstly , Selworthy .sx Here in the picturesque thatched cottages around the Green , at the foot of Selworthy Beacon , 1,014 ft .sx high , the pensioners from the Acland Estate spend their days .sx The church , an ancient structure dating back to Saxon times , is one of the most beautiful of its kind , and occupies a splendid position overlooking the moors .sx It has a fine wooden roof , the portion over the south isle being known as the angel roof because of the carved wooden angels which take the place of bosses .sx At the end of this aisle may be seen a Peter-pence chest hollowed from a single elm trunk .sx Other features of interest are the chained copy of Jewell's " Apology , " the leather panels of the reredos , several piscine , Saxon bowl of the font , and the old-fashioned hour-glass on the pulpit .sx Crossing the Stream running through Selworthy Green ( from which the cottagers obtain their supply of water ) by the single slab of stone forming a bridge , Bossington Woods are entered , and keeping well to the southern edge , in a short time a lane is reached which leads to the cobbled pack-horse bridge at Allerford , a reminder of the days when this antiquated mode of transport was the only one available in this extremely hilly district .sx There are several of these ancient bridges in the neighbourhood , but this is a noteworthy example with two arches .sx On a bye-road between Allerford and Bossington is the little fifteenth-century chapel of Lynch , standing in a farmyard !sx Thanks are due to Sir Thomas Acland for its restoration and present state of preservation , for he it was who rescued it from the beggarly condition of a barn into which it had fallen a few years ago .sx At Bossington we see specimens of the giant walnut trees which abound in these parts .sx Some , indeed , must be hundreds of years old judging by their girth .sx The Miniature Harbour of Port Porlock .sx PORLOCK yes , certainly there is Porlock Hill !sx But it has , we feel , already been sufficiently described by certain travellers .sx Of course , present-day cars make light work of one in four gradients .sx Porlock is no " little " village now , but Porlock Weir , or the Port of Porlock , is .sx It is a place that would fascinate any artist or photographer .sx A great sweeping bay , with rugged Hurlstone Point at the east and the somewhat gentler-looking Foreland on the west ; numerous fisher-men's tiny cottages , mostly thatched ( some whose backs face the sea have no doors or windows on that side , so near are they to the sea ) ; the captivating old " Ship Inn , " also thatched and giving it an enticing snugness ; a miniature harbour ; and beyond all these , dense woods rising to the height of 1,000 ft .sx ; it certainly beggars description .sx Southward lies the tableland of Exmoor , the country of the red deer .sx Mention must be made here of just one of the many coombes that run deep into its hills , Sweetery Coombe .sx It is easily reached from Porlock , and branches off from the Horner Valley .sx In the writer's opinion it is the most lovely part of the surrounding country .sx The footpath runs close to the rushing brook , a similar Stream to the Lynn only smaller , and continually crosses it by narrow bridges formed of a single tree-trunk with a handrail on one side .sx The Stream is a series of waterfalls .sx and deep pools , with now and again a little island in the middle consisting of a rock covered with giant ferns .sx The vegetation is luxuriant , owing possibly to the humid atmosphere , ferns growing everywhere , even on the branches of the trees .sx By continuing up the Horner Valley , following the main stream , with magnificent woods on either side and probably a glimpse of a startled stag , Stoke Pero ( some six miles from the main Porlock Road ) will be reached .sx There are but two farmhouses , a cottage or two and a quaint church , and when the old sexton tells you that very often the congregation consists only of " Pa'son and me , " one may well believe that he is speaking the truth although not with grammatical exactness .sx The church doorway is constructed of two massive pieces of oak cut to the shape of the door , rendering a lintel unnecessary .sx A Church Lovely in its Dainty Smallness .sx A FAVOURITE pilgrimage of every visitor staying in or near Porlock is to Culbone Church , a walk of about a mile and a half through delightful woods overlooking the sea .sx Hidden away in the trees between steep hills , the sun reaches this miniature sanctuary during no more than four months of the year .sx It is the smallest complete church in England , a distinction obtained from St. Lawrence Church in the Isle of Wight when the chancel of the latter building was extended 10 ft .sx The measurements of Culbone Church are 33 ft .sx long by 12 ft .sx 8 ins. wide .sx Although so small , it contains much of interest .sx Worthy of especial notice are the linen-fold carving on the back of the pew nearest the chancel on the left-hand side and the high square family pew on the opposite side .sx But perhaps the most interesting feature , and certainly the oldest in the church , is the small square-headed iron-barred window cut out of a single stone admitting light to the chancel .sx Immediately outside the church are the remains of the usual fourteenth-century cross .sx Its base , however , is noteworthy , being an irregular octagonal calvary .sx Many who , instead of going abroad this year , have spent their holidays in seeing Britain , have discovered that there are places of solitude and exquisite charm which no beauties of the Continent may lessen .sx As Coleridge sang , whilst staying at Nether Stowey in 1798 ( which is but a short distance from the district we have all too briefly described ) .sx O native Britain !sx 0 my Mother Isle !sx How shouldst thou prove aught else but dear and holy To me .sx There lives nor form nor feeling in my soul .sx Unborrowed from my country !sx 0 divine .sx And beauteous island !sx Thou has been my sole .sx And most magnificent temple , in the which .sx I walk , with awe , and sing my stately songs , .sx Loving the God that made me !sx BATH is undoubtedly one of the most progressive spas in the country .sx At Xmas a special programme , for the benefit of visitors , was arranged by Mr. John Hatton , the Spa Director .sx It included excellent orchestral concerts , balls , Xmas concerts , and performances by well-known actors and actresses , and proved exceedingly popular .sx The Dolomites for Winter Sport .sx At Cortina d'Ampezzo , a centre after every sportsman's own heart .sx by M. A. BOULTER-COOKE IIIustrated by OLIVE BOULTER-COOKE .sx IN the heart of the mighty Dolomites there lies a winter sports centre with everything that the sportsman or woman can desire .sx Some of us , having gone year after year to the almost too popular Swiss resorts , have perhaps wearied of them and their crowds .sx Let us go further afield this time ; let us go to where the tall red sheer peaks of the Dolomites rise like flames above the purity of the snowdrifts .sx It is a different land , different for us to explore and to conquer .sx And Cortina d'Ampezzo is the place of our choice .sx To reach it we must journey by rail either by Basle , Innsbruck Fortezza and Dobbiaco , or through the Simplon , Milan , and Calalzo .sx From Dobbiaco or from Calalzo one takes the little electric rail which lies between the two places with Cortina somewhere about the centre .sx From Dobbiaco it is a marvellous journey , for this wonderful line runs right through the heart of the mountains .sx Or , one can motor from Dobbiaco .sx If , however , there has been a heavy fall of snow , rendering car or train impracticable , then one can travel by sleigh .sx This is a delightful manner of reaching Cortina , for the road from Dobbiaco is magnificent , trending downwards most of the way with a broad panorama of peaks and pinnacles and firclad heights ; snow-powdered , glittering in the sunshine .sx It would be difficult to say when Cortina justly called the Queen of the Dolomites is the more beautiful , in summer when the pastures are a sea of flowers , or in winter when the same meadows afford the most delightful snow slopes for ski beginners .sx The summits of the Dolomite Alps are so scarped , so sheer , that the snow cannot rest on the lofty pinnacles as it does on the Swiss mountains .sx It clings to every crinkle and crevasse in their stark , naked sides , and lies in drifts immediately below the loftiest peaks .sx But it is thick on those heights which form the snowfields for the enjoyment of winter sports .sx This special character gives to Cortina its wilful beauty .sx Against a sky of Italian azure there stands forth not the snow-capped mountains , but rock rock of marvellous colour flushed at sunset into brilliant rose , hung with snowdrifts .sx Drifting about them are white clouds and the mist wreaths , as if .sx the giant peaks veiled their grandeur now and again lest mere mortals should be staggered by the terrible supremacy of nature .sx No visitor to Cortina need have any fear regarding the all-important question of accommodation .sx There is the Savoy right in the one long white street which goes straight through the town from end to end ; the Cristallo and the Faloria delightfully situated above it on the snow slopes ; the Serena where many English folk foregather , and various others with luxurious lounges and comfortable bedrooms , central heating and running hot water .sx Winter sports devotees need have no fear that because Cortina is not one of the popular Swiss resorts they will not find the same sport , the same amusements and enjoyments there .sx For everywhere snow is in abundance .sx The Crosses of Tre Croci Pass .sx CORTINA is situated at an altitude of over 4,000 ft .sx Sunshine records average seven hours daily , and the sun is gorgeous .sx For the benefit of some one might add that Cortina is very enjoyable for those who like to sit in the sun or just walk about .sx There are many easy paths in and about the town .sx Those open snow slopes on either side of the river and the town are perfect " schools " for all forms of winter sports .sx The two aerial lines to Belvedere and Mt .sx Faloria are a great help giving access to vast snow fields and number-less ski runs .sx Ski excursions by moon-light are often organised , and these are full of good rollicking fun .sx A popular " run " is up to Tre Croci some 2,000 feet above Cortina .sx The wide slopes gradually contract as the Tre Croci Pass is reached .sx And how awe-inspiring is the sudden view of the three high wooden crosses standing gaunt on the hill against the solitary snow peaks .sx On the summit of the Pass is the Tre Croci Hotel , specially constructed for the winter months .sx There is plenty of snow here very early in the season .sx Some visitors prefer this wild lonely spot to the town of Cortina .sx Tre Croci has its own skating rink and a fine six-mile toboggan run .sx From the Pass there is a splendid run down the curving road leading to Misurina with its beautiful lake .sx On the other side of Cortina is Pocol .sx There are very fine ski expeditions from Pocol by the numerous zigzags through the fir forest to the Passo Giau ; to the summit of Nuvolau an enjoyable five hours climb , or up the Dolomite Road towards the Falzorego Pass .sx On account of its fine natural situation , Cortina is a paradise for the skier .sx The wide spaciousness of the valley in which it is placed gives opportunities not so easily afforded in those resorts where the mountains crowd too closely about the town .sx Another excellent result from this spaciousness is the quantity of sunshine .sx