Day 30 Tuesday 28th September

This morning I left at 8 o'clock after breakfast. The hostel being the last building to the south of Salcombe and right on the coast, access to the footpath was very easy. I quickly passed the viewing point at Sharp Tor and then I rounded Bolt Head a short while later. The path was generally easy and I continued for about 8 miles until I got to Bolt Tail. From Bolt Tail I had a panoramic view of Hope Cove, Inner and Outer Hope, Thurlestone and the more distant Burgh Island. This quickly disappeared as rain and mist set in. I continued until I got to Outer Hope. While buying a coffee in the Post Office, I met a man who was an expert on the local coast paths and he confirmed that when I got to Bantham, I should get a taxi to Mothecombe as the crossing of the River Erme was too dangerous in the present weather conditions. This meant that I have not walked the short stretch between Bigbury and the River Erme. I arrived at Bantham at 12 noon, having walked 13 miles up to that point. At Bantham I had no mobile signal, so I had to borrow a mobile on a different network to telephone for a taxi. First 5 taxi firms were unable to help, but the sixth one was able to take me where I wanted to go. It dropped me at the slipway at Mothecombe at 1.10 and I set off on the next leg of today's journey.

The next 5 miles were quite varied until I got to Wadham Rocks. At this point, for the rest of the way to Noss Mayo, the path follows the route that was carved along the cliff side for ladies to enjoy the view from their horse and carriages. This was a bit like an old railway track and was very easy walking. Part way along this section the rain stopped. I arrived in Noss Mayo at 4.20, having walked about 23 miles altogether. I went to the Ship Inn to have a meal and tried to telephone for a taxi to take me to Wembury, only to find there was no signal yet again, so had to go outside to see if it would work, which it did. I had to get this 2nd taxi because the ferry at Noss Mayo stopped working 2 days ago for the winter. I am now settled for the rest of the evening in a very comfortable bed and breakfast.

Distance walked 23 miles