Family Smith at Seaton seafront. Thank you to them for bed, board, logistics and company. About 235 miles behind me and 16 days of walking. Wet weather ahead, and have already booked a room at Polruan in which to dry out.
Saturday 30 April 2011
Downderry pasty and Kelly's 99
It had been pretty wet so we treated ourselves to a couple pints of St Austell Tribute at the Inn on the Shore. Then pasty and ice cream across the road.
We also met Gary Upstone who was walking from Penzance to Bournemouth having completed Minehead to Penzance last August.
Brighter by Downderry.
Have pushed on a couple more miles beyond schedule as tomorrow to Fowey a big day with full pack again.
Portwrinkle in the rain.
After 15 amazing days the weather finally broke. And forcast not great for next 2 days.
Whitsands Cliff Chalets.
The walking through here was quite tough. Crocs came off and boots made to promise they would not bite me.
Rame Head
Dropped off early in Cawsands by Jackie, Wayne (yes day 3 !) and set off for Portwrinkle. Overcast and rain due. Started in my crocs again and only a borrowed day sack.
Friday 29 April 2011
Pretty Cawsands.
Half day then some downtime at St Mellion country club. Followed by cricket club with Alex and Ollie Smith. No surprise.....I was on bbq duty.
Portwrinkle and beyond tomorrow.
Thank you Jackie and Wayne for kind hospitality.
A few more miles to go.
Have made good progress in recent days, urged on by Paddy, then Richard Thomas and latterly Andy Albutt and Wayne Smith. So today a quiet day walking with no sack and in my crocs resting my feet through Plymouth and over to Cawsands.
The Dolphin Hotel, Barbican.
Friday 29th April Royal Wedding. Where were you? Well, walking across a very quiet Hoe in Plymouth of course towards the Cremyl Ferry
Thursday 28 April 2011
Wembury Beach.
Nearly a third completed by day 14. Need to up miles per day from next week. But steady 12 miles on Friday through Plymouth and rest up.
Noss Mayo.
Lunch in The Ship. Thanks Mike for ferry crossing in his row boat (central picture) and kind donation.
Low tide River Erme.
Feet enjoyed the cold water. Coffee and pastries delivered by AA courtesy of RT. Top b'fast.
Vista from a tent.
Early start and get around to the River Erme for low tide crossing. Meeting Andy Albutt and Wayne Smith in Mothecombe.
River Avon ferry.
Having had all day to make Bantham ferry, we made it with seconds to spare. To miss it might have meant not crossing the Erme until the evening low tide the next day. Thank you Marsh Dawes, both ferryman and harbourmaster.
Bolt Head towards Goat Rock.
Another beautiful day with stunning views, and RT still carrying big rucksack.
Leaving Salcombe Estruary.
Thank you Sam West for lift back to Salcombe and your kind hospitality. Later start today but not such a big day and less pressure.
Met up with Timmy who is walking all 630 miles in 30 days. Big respect. Timmystrudge.blogspot.com
Tuesday 26 April 2011
Salcombe by water taxi.
Arrived to catch ferry at 7.30pm. So hailed water taxi and made way straight to Victoria Inn for cold Korev and supper. Has been a 13 hour day and covered about 22 miles. Tired and sore. Smaller day tomorrow towards Bantham. Thank you to Sam and Kate West for kind hospitality.
179 miles completed after day 12 and a whole day ahead of itinerary, but need a smaller day and needed to eat into miles heading into Plymouth where schedule had a 22 miles. Sleep.
Gammon Head and Black Cove.
Great little quiet spot with a little wave rolling in. Now nearly 6pm and last ferry at 7pm from East Portlemouth.
Start Point from Ravens Cove.
The spring flowers have been very colourful in the sunlight. Helped keep a smile on the face as we headed towards Prawle Point, with my blister giving me grief. Fortunately RT doing serious time with my pack.
Start Point sign post.
Speaks for itself, but by this point 168 miles completed and just 462 to go. By day 12.5.
Approaching Start Point.
Around this point we got all confident and thought we could make Salcombe today.
Thomas Tank to Torcross
Excellent breakfast at the Stoke Lodge Hotel. Then we pushed on to Torcross and this old Sherman tank.
Britannia Royal Naval College.
Leaving Dartmouth 6.30am towards Torcross. Plan was wild camp after Pig's Nose pub in East Prawle.
Monday 25 April 2011
Off ferry at Dartmouth.
Feeling on top form (refreshed with a beer or two). Dartmouth now quiet after busy Easter weekend. Great dinner at Kendricks.
Ferry to Dartmouth.
Captain RT has joined for next 2 days. Big day to East Prawle, aiming at Pig's Nose for tea and wild camp. Breakfast at Torcross.
NB : divine intervention worked for today but another lovely blister this evening that has cotton threaded through.
View to Scabbacombe Head.
Stunning piece of coastline. But would not recommend too heavy a rucksack.
Berry Head
Brixham to Dartmouth today. Not far but described as strenuous. Beautiful section of coast.
Brixham Harbour.
Thank you Nathalie and Paddy for bed board and clothes wash. Hopefully see Paddy later on the trail.
Sunday 24 April 2011
Goodrington Sands.
Before pressing on to Brixham where we were collected by Peter Chenery. Thank you Peter and Ann for hospitality, and Nathalie and Paddy for B&B. Value in kind will be donated by me in the final 'wash up'.
Beach huts at Goodrington Sands
I have been struck ever since leaving South Haven, of the important role and popularity of the British beach hut. Kept in families for generations, the social importance of these little huts cannot be overstated.
Torquay Marina.
Just on from here I was gifted a mini egg and prayed for. I mentioned it was my blister on my right foot that actually needed some divine intervention , so an extra prayer and we shall see how it is tomorrow.
Daddy Chenery on the Trail
That substantial shadow will be handy in the heat of yet another sunny day. Maidencombe to Brixham.
Saturday 23 April 2011
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