5 days of walking in Devon and today into Cornwall (for 500 Kms )

28/5/15

Day 5 Woolacombe to Braunton. 24 km

Oh what a tedious day. 1st I walked miles behind the wonderful surf beach, then with difficulty across the next beach Croyde, then miles above Saunton Beach. It was overcast and windy most of the day.

And then there was MILES of walking through a golf course, then a military training area, with a straight stony road from WW11 when the Americans trained for the D day landing. Boring and my back was really complaining as though it's good to keep a high mileage per hour up on flat roads it doesn't give your posture a break like climbing and descending does.

It's my longest day yet and I struggled the last hour with my back.

I finally got to the estuary then the river Caen , with more miles to walk.

I finally got to Braunton and the darn B&B people weren't there!

Sat in the sun for ages waiting. Not happy !

The next 2 days are shorter then the longest hardest day of the whole walk.

No buses as it's going to be Sunday.

Trying not to panic just yet.

I can not keep carrying this weight.

29/5/15

Day 6

I got the bus in the rain 20 Kms to Instow, then walked the 17 Kms to Westward Ho!

There's usually a ferry across the river but the tide was wrong so it took 2 hrs 20 mins to walk around to the opposite side.

Then through some paddocks back to the ocean from the river.

It was incredibly windy but the rain eased.

I went thru Appledore a small village with an enormous ship building facility.

Then more paddocks and onto a big 'common ' that I short-cutted across avoiding the grazing horses to the beach. It has another 2-3 metre high ridge of small rocks made by the waves.

There were crazy people kitesurfing and lots of dogs running about.

The town is a holiday resort and quite pretty. I am in a nice room in a hotel right in town.

I am trying to organise for my pack to be moved on Monday which is the supposed hardest day of the walk.

One of my boots has split too!

I was not happy!

30/5/15

Day 7 Westward Ho! to Clovelly 18 Kms

Up and down cliffs to beaches endlessly. Right from the start I could see the destination, but it took 6 hrs!

The last 2-3 hrs was through woodlands of beech trees and wild bad (not natives) rhododendrons that are mainly purple.

It ended up on a 7 km 19th century walkway which was easier but endless.

I really, really struggled today with my back being so sore from the pack. I was resting every 10 mins.

Then my B&B was another 2 kms uphill! I was so tired but I had to go down to the village for food. It was a lovely village built on a steep path with houses on each side. Everything except the pub was shut, so I had a beer and some chips. When I got back to the house the man gave me a bowl of apple crumble. Yum

21/5/15

Day 8.Clovelly to Hartland Quay 17 Kms. Raining!!

Really upset about today's walk after yesterday's struggle and the rain. No buses as Sunday. Apparently no one in the UK wants to travel on Sundays.

There were ups and downs thru the mud and I decided I could see fresh boot tracks, and soon after saw a red raincoat in front. It really moved me along keeping him in sight.

There were miles of walking thru flattish wet fields of crops, or sheep and cows grazing. It was very pretty and nice walking. And it was quite quick walking.

I caught up to the guy when he had a cuppa. I kept him in sight for quite a while until I lost him on a massive hill.

However by then I could see the hotel so kept going with no break and came in at 5 hrs.

And no sore back today which is a relief.

Tonight in the hotel carpark (really busy too seeing in the middle of nowhere a local brass band came down and in the freezing wind put on a lovely concert.
I actually felt happy for awhile!!

Tomorrow longest day, but I've arranged for my stuff to be moved instead of carrying it, and there's an out place if I get there in time for a bus.

1/6/15
Day 9
Hartland Quay to Bude. 25 km
Well I work up to driving rain, felt like finding a bus or walking out to the road and hitching. However I met a couple at breakfast who were doing the same walk, live near me and they said I could walk with them. And the rain stopped. So I set off ahead of them knowing I was tired and they were young. However I only saw them twice (once when I went a mile wrong and returned to the path, then when I'd just finished my lunch sitting under a tree in the rain)
But knowing they were there helped me.
It was as bad as predicted with 10 major descents into valleys and streams then ascents back up to the cliffs. But there were lots of flattish cliff top walking. The wind was horrendous, gale force at times, luckily towards the land so couldn't be blown into the sea.
The rain came several times then settled around 2-3 pm. Could have been worse!
Really I only managed as I didn't have my bag to carry. However it was so expensive it isn't a realistic option again.
My boots split 3 days ago and luckily lasted tho I needed plastic bags to keep my socks and feet dry.
I've just bought new boots so guess by tomorrow night I'll be riddled with blisters. Damn.
Tomorrow is a 16 km strenuous day to where Adrian's relatives are holidaying and finally a rest day.
The last 2 days have had incredibly pretty countryside with lovely paddocks with sheep and cows, and plenty of sown fields of grain too. It's quite flat land with massive paddocks and very grand farmhouses.
Something that amazes me is I think I'm in the middle of nowhere and dada there's a road to an isolated house or a track to a beach.
And no matter where you are they have to pay either to use the 'toll rd " or to park.
Even at last nights hotel out on the headland they had to pay $5 to drive down and use the carpark! Even if dining or staying there! Weird.
Same at Clovelly.

More rain for tomorrow!!

When Courtney comes back from her holiday in Fiji we are going to look at my plans and hotel bookings as I no longer want to walk this 1,041 km walk!
I'll try to double up on bookings and get the bus on long days.
It's just too hard carrying my pack, and it's very isolated walking. I'm not actually scared of getting lost or of physical risks, I'm just not liking it!!
Today was the end of the 1st of my 3 guide books at 200 Kms done so the others can't be as comprehensive.Theres also 17 river crossings coming up with big detours if the ferry isn't running or I don't wade some creeks as suggested (I'm not doing that !!)

Ok, that's my saga for now.
Anyone wanting a holiday - I suggest Hawaii!! Or the Greek islands!!
Don't go walking.
Carol.