I divided the walk into three sections. There are discrepancies in the distances between various points which depend on how they are calculated and by whom. County council signs with distances do not always tally with National Trust signs with distances.
Section one was Dover to Christchurch. I walked this between August 30th and September 16th.
In this section I walked 274.5 miles.
Section two was Christchurch to St Just [Lands End Youth Hostel]. This I walked between September 17th and October 7th. In this section I walked 400.5 miles.
Section three was from St Just to Mnehead. This I walked between October 8th and October 22nd. In this section I walked 257 miles.
This makes a total of 932 miles walked - and it feels like it!
There were a small number of sections which I did not walk as follows and explanations are included.
1. On Thursday September 2nd I had mistakenly calculated that Eastbourne to Worthing was 25 miles but I must have had a senior moment as it turned out to be over 40 miles and included Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters, both of which are strenuous walks. I walked from Eastbourne to Newhaven and then caught the bus to Brighton [12 miles] and then from Portsea-by-Sea to Worthing [8 miles]. In this section I still walked the distance planned it was just that I had miscalculated the distance by 20-25 miles!
2. In Devon on Tuesday September 28th there was no ferry from Bantham to Bigbury-on-Sea and the River Erme was unsafe to ford due to the weather conditions. So I took a taxi to Mothecombe [14 miles by road] and continued from Mothecombe to Noss Mayo. Again there was no ferry from Noss Mayo so I got a taxi to Wembury and did not walk the mile or so from Warren Point to Wembury. This was a total of 5 miles of coast path not walked.
3. On Friday October 1st I had a long journey and by the time I got to Gorran Haven it was clear I would not have enough daylight to safely go round Dodman Point in the fading daylight so I took the gated lane over the headland - this was about one mile less in distance.
4. At Newquay on Monday October 11th I was staying at Cubert a village to the south of Newquay. There was no ferry over The Gannell so I was collected from Crantock and on the next day I was taken to the Coast Path on the north side of Newquay at Porth. This meant that I did not walk the Newquay peninsular. This is a distance of about 5 miles.
5. On Wednesday October 13th when I got to Tintagel there was not enough time to walk in daylight to Boscastle. Had the ferry from Padstow started at 7.00am rather than 8.00am I would have done it. This was a distance of 3 miles.
6. Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th of October. To get to the accomodation I had to walk to the north side of Braunton, a distance of about 2 miles from the Coast Path and then the next monring I walked four miles to re-join the coast path in a different direction. This meant that I missed six miles of the Coast Path around Braunton Marshes and Saunton Sand Dunes much of which is a restricted military area - the area missed was the same as the additional distance I had to walk so balanced itself out.
There is therefore about 14 miles that I did not walk, 1 & 6 being discounted. However, As I stated that I was going to walk 900 miles and have walked about 930 I don't feel bad about this at all!
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Friday, 22 October 2010
Day 54 - Friday October 22nd
This morning after kippers and scrambled eggs for breakfast for a change, I was well set up for this mornings short walk. I set off from Porlock at 8.45am for the village of Bossington down a country lane and arrived there at 9.15 and then set off onwards for the climb up Bossington Hill which rises to nearly 1000 feet. This was quite a steep steady climb but I arrived at the top at 9.50am, and my bad leg responded best to this uphill climb which seems very strange to me. From the top, the path meanders slowly downhill passing Selworthy Beacon on the way. The walk today was mostly moorland. The path down into Minehead was mostly gentle but was downhill for over two miles - I was glad to be going the direction I was. I emerged from the wodland onto a flat path and walk and then past the little harbour of Minehead and then therte it was - the monument marking the start/ end of the journey! Almost opposite was a cafe where I went to sit down and sip tea until Jenny, Ralph and Terri arrived and we had some lunch together. Then some photographs and we set off for home at 2.30pm arriving back home at 5.30pm. So success at last. No walking tomorrow and I just need time for my knee to repair.
Distance walked today - 8 miles
Distance walked today - 8 miles
Day 53 - Thursday October21st
I had an early breakfast at lee Abbey and set off at 8.05am. I took the Coast Path alonf the Valey of the Rocks, passing the ferral goats in the valley on the way and arrived in Lynmouth at 8.50am. After crossing the bridge on the white bridge I walked along the promenade until i came to the Coast Path again. Initially the path zig-zags uphill but is quite easy, and then runs parallel to the road until the top is reached some way abouve the road and the village at Countisbury. By this time I had climbed to about 1,000 feet above sea level. as the path moved out towards Foreland Point the signing was not clear and I took a wrong turn. When I turned around I found another walker behind me with the same problem. This was Michael and he was walkinmg to Porlock like me so we spent the next six hours walking and talking together which was really nice. He was just two years younger than me. At 10.55am we passed a Gully with its name clearly labelled - Pudleep Gurt! When we got to the point where there are two routes, the lower one had been closed due to repeated landslips in the past six months, so we had to take the higher route. Surprisingly, after the climb to Coutisbury the walk was really easy mainly undulating and following the contours and only very shot steep places. for miles we had signs for Culbone and then we paseed it and found signs in the opposite direction - Culbone was so small we missed it!
At 2.45pm we arrived in Porlock Weir and stopped for refreshment. It was really good having someone to pace me as my lright knee was not very good despite medication and strapping. At 3.10pm we resumed walkiong until we arrived at the Tourist Information Centre at 4.00pm where I stopped to find accomodation for the night. Michael went on to catch a bus. Before we parted he gave me some money for the sponsorship which was nice. I stayed in a 16th century cottage with really low beams. The accomodation was really nice. Originally I had planned to go to Minehead today but when I checked with the Youth hostel they did not have a boking for me. I needed the break as my leg was not up to the whole journey in one day. I was really surprised by the ease of today journey, nothing like I had been led to believe.
Distance walked today - 15 miles
At 2.45pm we arrived in Porlock Weir and stopped for refreshment. It was really good having someone to pace me as my lright knee was not very good despite medication and strapping. At 3.10pm we resumed walkiong until we arrived at the Tourist Information Centre at 4.00pm where I stopped to find accomodation for the night. Michael went on to catch a bus. Before we parted he gave me some money for the sponsorship which was nice. I stayed in a 16th century cottage with really low beams. The accomodation was really nice. Originally I had planned to go to Minehead today but when I checked with the Youth hostel they did not have a boking for me. I needed the break as my leg was not up to the whole journey in one day. I was really surprised by the ease of today journey, nothing like I had been led to believe.
Distance walked today - 15 miles
Day 52 - Wednesday October 20th
The Ocean Backpackers hostel in Ilfracombe was one of the best I stayed at and included free internet access which was very useful. I left the hostel at 7.10am and walked around the Harbour and was able to pick up the Coast Path. As often happens the signposting is poorest going out of the towns and villages. However, people are most helpful if asked. At 8.10 I reached Hele Bay and Watermouth Bay at 9.00am. I arrived in Coombe Martin at 9.45am which I was pleased about as the path took a circuitous route in places and alongside the road at other times. I stopped in Coombe Martin to do some shopping and then to a cafe to have something to eat and drink. At 10.30am I resumed my journey and started off for Little Hangman and then onwards to Great Hangman. The climb was steep initially then more steady between the two until I reached the top at 1043 feet which is the highest point on the entire Coast path.
Along the way to Heddons Mouth I met a familiar face - Oliver whom I met and walked with yesterday was walking the opposite way to me and had done so deliberately so as to meet me on the way! At Heddons Mouth the path goes right down to sea level and then on the other side of the river, having crossed on a stone arched bridge the path went uphill again. It was steady but not difficult. At Heddons Mouth I stopped for lunch at 2.10pm and resumed the journey at 2.20pm and pressed on. When I got to Woody Bay I missed the sign for the path distracted by an alterrnative signpost indicating America, Russia, Iceland and New Zealand! Having walked nearly to the beach I had to walk up again until I got back on the path. I arrived at Lee Abbey about 4.45pm having not had to rush at all. Here I stayed for an evening meal and bed and breakfast.
Distance walked today - 18 miles
Along the way to Heddons Mouth I met a familiar face - Oliver whom I met and walked with yesterday was walking the opposite way to me and had done so deliberately so as to meet me on the way! At Heddons Mouth the path goes right down to sea level and then on the other side of the river, having crossed on a stone arched bridge the path went uphill again. It was steady but not difficult. At Heddons Mouth I stopped for lunch at 2.10pm and resumed the journey at 2.20pm and pressed on. When I got to Woody Bay I missed the sign for the path distracted by an alterrnative signpost indicating America, Russia, Iceland and New Zealand! Having walked nearly to the beach I had to walk up again until I got back on the path. I arrived at Lee Abbey about 4.45pm having not had to rush at all. Here I stayed for an evening meal and bed and breakfast.
Distance walked today - 18 miles
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Day 51 - Tuesday October 19th.
Last night I stayed in a b & b in an old cottage. Thelma the lady was a real old fashioned sort, to make a drink I had to use her kitchen which she didn't mind at all. The house had a real lived in appearance with things everywhere. The dining room had lots of newly made pickle which she had made. The floor levels were all uneven and odd steps which I was worried I might miss going to the bathroom at night. She was really helpful and I had an earlyish breakfast at 7.30 and left the house at 8.10. I had a long walk along the road to Saunton as Thelma's house was More than 2 miles from the Coast Path where I left it yesterday. I took a different route to re-connect with the Coast Path today but it was nearly 3.5miles to get there. I re-joined the Coast Path at Saunton Bay Hotel at 9.10am, and I walked around the [un-named headland into Croyde Bay] and walked across the sandy beach. At the otherside I was joined by another walker called Oliver and we walked and chatted together until we parted at Putsborough Sands some time later. we were at Baggy Point at 10.30am and arrived at Putsborough Sands at 11.20am and stopped for a drink - I had a Bovril drink for a change as this was on offer. Oliver left me at this point and continued as he did not want to stop.
I resumed walkingat 11.30am and walked accross the extensive Woolacombe Sand which is about 2.5 miles long. Its about 25 years since I walked this bay and I enjoyed it very much. It is one of my favourite beaches and brings back many happy memories from my youth! I made good time and arrived in Woolacome itself at 12.15 and continued to Morte Point, then on around to Bull Point and its lighthouse - I set myself the target of getting there before eating lunch. I arrived there at 1.40pm and took my lunch break. I resumed walking at 1.55pm and the sign where I stopped for lunch said Lee 1.5miles and Morte Point 1.75miles. When I got to Lee there was a further sign indicating Ilfracombe to be only 3 miles. I was encouraged as my legs were feeling tired already! I arrived in Ilfracombe at 4.15pm and found a mosaic in a lawn and a plaque stating that this was to commeorate the achievements of Johnathan Edwards and was opened by his parents in 2002. [The interest here is that I am Jonathan's godfather and have known his parents for about 45 years.] At 4.30pm I checked into Ocean Backpackers hostel and have been able to chill out a bit!
Distance walked today, including the distance to get back on the Coast Path is 21 miles.
Tomorrow is slightly less. I have slightly less than 40 miles to get to Minehead. My right leg is playing me up so I may have to split Thursdays walk and stop overnight in Porlock and then complete the final 9 miles to Minehead on Friday morning as I had originally planned.
I resumed walkingat 11.30am and walked accross the extensive Woolacombe Sand which is about 2.5 miles long. Its about 25 years since I walked this bay and I enjoyed it very much. It is one of my favourite beaches and brings back many happy memories from my youth! I made good time and arrived in Woolacome itself at 12.15 and continued to Morte Point, then on around to Bull Point and its lighthouse - I set myself the target of getting there before eating lunch. I arrived there at 1.40pm and took my lunch break. I resumed walking at 1.55pm and the sign where I stopped for lunch said Lee 1.5miles and Morte Point 1.75miles. When I got to Lee there was a further sign indicating Ilfracombe to be only 3 miles. I was encouraged as my legs were feeling tired already! I arrived in Ilfracombe at 4.15pm and found a mosaic in a lawn and a plaque stating that this was to commeorate the achievements of Johnathan Edwards and was opened by his parents in 2002. [The interest here is that I am Jonathan's godfather and have known his parents for about 45 years.] At 4.30pm I checked into Ocean Backpackers hostel and have been able to chill out a bit!
Distance walked today, including the distance to get back on the Coast Path is 21 miles.
Tomorrow is slightly less. I have slightly less than 40 miles to get to Minehead. My right leg is playing me up so I may have to split Thursdays walk and stop overnight in Porlock and then complete the final 9 miles to Minehead on Friday morning as I had originally planned.
Monday, 18 October 2010
Day 50 Monday October 18th
Today I left the hostel at Westwood Ho! at 7.05 a.m. and I set off along the road and up the hill to Northam, where I cut through to the point where I left the coast path yesterday. I then started to walk in the direction of Bideford until I got to a sign indicating a high tide route and a low tide route. The tide being out I took the low tide route, but unfortunately I got to a point where I was stuck in the mud. Unable to retrace my steps, with great difficulty I managed to find a way round and eventually arrived at Bideford. At 8.20 I crossed the bridge from Bideford to East-the-Water. I then found the Tarka Trail which also doubles as the coast path for the rest of today's journey.
The Tarka Trail follows the trackbed of the old railway and is tarmaced along its entire course, which made for a relatively easy journey today. I was in Instow at 9.30 and Barnstable at 12.20, where I did some shopping and had my lunch. I left Barnstable at 12.50 and arrived in Braunton at 2.40. On the way there was some really good bird watching and I also had to pass the RAF Chivenor. By 3.20 I had booked in at the B & B. Distance walked today 20 miles.
The Tarka Trail follows the trackbed of the old railway and is tarmaced along its entire course, which made for a relatively easy journey today. I was in Instow at 9.30 and Barnstable at 12.20, where I did some shopping and had my lunch. I left Barnstable at 12.50 and arrived in Braunton at 2.40. On the way there was some really good bird watching and I also had to pass the RAF Chivenor. By 3.20 I had booked in at the B & B. Distance walked today 20 miles.
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Day 49 - Sunday October 17th.
Today was a rest day. I had a leisurely start. Tried to catch up on bloggs until the internet connection played up and I lost everything! I went to the local church of England which is next door. They were very friendly and I was welcomed by the minister. They have no vicar at present.
After the service at about 12.15 I set off down to the beach and walked along the beach avoiding the pebble ridge which is recommended - the pebbles are huge 12-18 inches apiece. Where the beach moves around into the estuary I moved onto the path and the grassed area walking around The Skern and into Appledore with its very quaint Irsha Street with each cottage having a name. I continued around the shipyards inland and then continued to the outskirts of Bideford cutting inland and back to Westward Ho! So tomorrow I shall retrace my steps and join the path where I left off and this will have reducded tomorrows walk to about 20 miles.
I'm now back at theYouth Hostel having a leisurely evening.
Distance ambled today 6 miles. This means I have only four more days and about 80 miles to do, having walked approximately 760 miles. So far I've only had one really wet day and three days with showers or limited rain. Forecast for Monday to Wednesday is dry but getting colder. Looks good to me - I can cope better with dry cold days than wet ones.
After the service at about 12.15 I set off down to the beach and walked along the beach avoiding the pebble ridge which is recommended - the pebbles are huge 12-18 inches apiece. Where the beach moves around into the estuary I moved onto the path and the grassed area walking around The Skern and into Appledore with its very quaint Irsha Street with each cottage having a name. I continued around the shipyards inland and then continued to the outskirts of Bideford cutting inland and back to Westward Ho! So tomorrow I shall retrace my steps and join the path where I left off and this will have reducded tomorrows walk to about 20 miles.
I'm now back at theYouth Hostel having a leisurely evening.
Distance ambled today 6 miles. This means I have only four more days and about 80 miles to do, having walked approximately 760 miles. So far I've only had one really wet day and three days with showers or limited rain. Forecast for Monday to Wednesday is dry but getting colder. Looks good to me - I can cope better with dry cold days than wet ones.
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