Day 28 - Sunday September 26th

Today is a rest day. No need to get up too early. Breakfast at 9.00. At 9.50 we left for church in Totnes. We went to Totnes Evangelical Free Church which is a part of the Ichthus Fellowship. The service was good although I felt tired after nine days walking.

After the service we were taken out for lunch at a local carvery in Totnes. Food was good.

Later in the afternoon we ent to Dartington for a leisurely stroll in the grounds which are open to the public free. Really was leisurely.

This evening Adrian has invited around some other friends that we haven't seen for a while. This we will enjoy.

I have now completed 28 days of the Dawdle with 25 still to do so I am over half way and half way as far as distance walked is concerned as well. I have seen a few birds of interest but I took a decision not to have my binoculars with me as walking and birdwatching do not really go together. I have also seen a sand lizard and a slow worm on Studland Heath, a red squirrel on the Isle of Wight and many grey ones elsewhere. Also quite a variety of breeds of farm animals. The scenery has been as diverse as it has been spectacular. I could first see Portland when I was on the Isle of Wight and could still see it yesterday but tomorrow it will pass from view when I pass Start Point. There is fabulous beauty in the different landscapes from marshes and shingle beaches to cliff scenery with chalk cliffs and red sandstone and grey slates and later granite will appear.

My legs and feet are doing really well. Cellulitis has responded to antibiotis and the blisters on my feet have gone, walking speed is good and I'm getting stronger every day on steeper slopes. But I still need prayer for perseverance. Still a long way to go!

Distance travelled so far.

Up to 11-09-2010 I had walked 270 miles

Sept 14 - 8.5
Sept 17 - 23
Sept 18 - 22
Sept 19 - 25
Sept 20 - 10
Sept 21 - 26.5
Sept 22 - 26
Sept 23 - 16
Sept 24 - 15
Sept 25 - 22

This is a further 194 miles and brings the total to 464 - all distances are approximate as it is difficult to be completely accurate and includes some diversions off route. This is a general guide to progress. I have travelled a little over half of the total.

Day 27 - Saturadey September 25th

I left with Adrian at 7.30 from Newton Abbot for Paignton where Adrian dropped me off near where I ended my walk yesterday. I quickly found a sign directing me to the Coast Path and walked around Roundham Head and then along Goodrington Sands on the promenade where I found the circular brass plates set in the pavement indicating the Coast Path [ I found these again in Brixham when I arrived there]. The path was easy as I passed Broadsands Bay at 8.45, Elberry Cove with its mussle farm offshore at 9.10 and then walking through some lovely woodland, called the Grove, arrived at Charleston Cove with a really beautiful view of Brixham harbour. At 10.00am I arrived in the centre of Brixham where I stopped to buy some lunch and a pot of tea. At 10.20 I set off again passing the replica of the Mary Rose and the statue of William of Orange. I passed Berry Head [where I could still see the Island of Portland silouetted against the horizon and on to St Marys Bay at 11.25, Man Sands at 12.15, Scabbacombe Sands at 12.45 and Pudcome Cove at 1.30pm. Between bays the path twisted and turned and went up and down but was not particularly difficult but it was frustrating as progress seemed slow at times! At 2.10pm I reached Froward Point and the views changed as new vistas emerged and direction changed to northeasterly to enter the Dart estuary and at 3.30pm I arrived in Kingwear at the ferry for Dartmouth. This was loading and I had arrived at just the right time to avoid any wait. In Dartmouth I walked in a southerly direction to the Castle and Church and then climbed uphill and here the Coast Path became a Bridleway - I asked the way and was told straight on for Stoke Flemming and after about a mile the Coast Path emerged from the left and I was back on track. I had missed the left turn at some point. By now Stoke Flemming was in view with its church tower visible above the undulating hills on the skyline. I arrived at 5.00pm a little earlier than expected. Jenny and Adrian were on their way to pick me up when Jenny rang to say there had been an accident and they were stuck in a queue and would be delayed. They arrived at 5.30pm and we drove back to Newton Abbot. Having ended in stoke Flemming I am well placed for Mondays "Dawdle" from there to Salcombe.

Adrian had invited a couple of old friends around for an evening meal and this was nice.

Distance travelled today 22 miles.

Day 26 - Friday September 24th

Last night it rained again but today was dry which was good although the going underfoot was a bit muddy at times. In the afternoon the wind became a bit cooler as had been promised. Simon and I left Exeter by car at 7.45am and we arrived in Dawlish at 8.20am and we set off together for a short way and then we parted company at 8.30a.m. There was a steady climb out of Dawlish but nothing like the previous day. About halfway to Teignmouth the path took me on to the seawall beside the railway line which is right by the sea as it is between Dawlish Warren and Dawlish. An amazing feat of 19th century engineering. I arrived in Teignmouth at 9.35am and was able to buy sandwiches for lunch. I arrived at the ferry at 9.53 to go to Shaldon on the other side. I was chatting to the ferry man about the boat - top half built 62 years ago, bottom half dates from 2002 as it was rotten and had a major rebuild. I set of from Shaldon at 10.08, passed Maidencombe at 11.25am and Whatcombe at 12.00noon and stopped for a break at Petit Tor Point. This was another aduous walk with a lot of ups and downs and ins and outs and many, many steps. I think I must have climbed the Empire State Building several times today! At 12.45pm I set off again passing Oddicombe Cliff Railway at 1.15pm and then Babbacombe and on to Thatcher Point where I stopped for lunch at 2.30pm [rather late]. I then walked through Torquay passing the marina, Corbyns Bay at 3.55 and then under the railway and back to the beginning of the beach at Paignton where I was picked up by Adrian's friend John who took me to Newton Abbot where I met up with Jenny and Adrian. I did not quite reach my planned destination being picked up a mile short. Because of all the steps this was also a most strenuous day. But I am getting fitter!

The distance travelled today is hard to calculate accurately as the ups and down and twists and turns increase the distance. Probably about 15miles.

Day 25 - Thursday September 23rd

During the night the heavens opened and there was torrential rain but by the time I got up it had stopped which was quite positive. Neil and I left at 7.40a.m. from Lyme Regis and Neil dropped me off in Sidmouth where I had ended my walk yesterday.We parted at 8.05 and I set off along Sidmouth promenade - not being able to find any sign for the coast path I set off up the road and steadily uphill until I found the path joining the road and continued uphill for some while. A short while later the path took a left turn from the road and was signposted to Ladram Bay. The route was easier than appeared from the cliffs as the path passed behind the peak of the cliffs at a lower level. -In just under an hour I arrived at Ladram Bay [9.00am] and the scenery was changed. I had left chalk cliffs behind at Beer yesterday and now there were dark red sandstones and rock pillars at the base of the cliffs. From Ladram Bay the route was easy and undulating passing Brandy Point at 9.35 - this used to be a place where smuglers brought brandy ashore in the past and where machine guns for spitfires were tested in the Second World War. Eventuallly I rounded the headland and had to detour a mile of so inland to cross the lowest bridge on the river Otter and then return along the side of the river marshes until I arrived back at the coast and on to the promenade at Budleigh Salterton. I arrived here at 10.40 and bought a pot of tea. I got talking to a lady who is on the committee of the South West Path Association which was very interesting and she has given me some sponsorship money. I set off again at 11.20 uphill and out of Budleigh. The terrain was relatively easy and I arrived at Straight Point and the path went between the Royal Marines firing range which was in use and there was much gunfire, and a very large caravan park [ the second largest I've seen on my walk but no place for a quiet holiday!] After this the path continued towards Exmouth and what seemed an eternity along the promenade I arrived at the ferry for Starcross on the other side of the river. As I arrived here at 1.30 and it was a bit early to stop walking I rang Simon and asked if he would pick me up from Dawlish to which he agreed. So I caught the ferry which left at 1.40pm and arrived at Starcross at 2.00p.m. I set off on a not very inspiring walk along the road to Dawlish Warren as this is the route of the coast path from the ferry. I joined the cycle route for about a mile and then descended to the railway and was able to walk along the sea wall, the tide being out. I arrived at Dawlish train station at 3.30p.m. and rang Simon to ask him to pick me up. While I was in Dawlish Warren it rained very heavily on two occasions but it did not last and while I was waiting it rained again. None of this had any impact on the walk. Simon arrived at 4.15p.m. and we returned to Exeter and I will be returned to Dawlish to continue my Dawdle tomorrow.
This was actually quite a short days walk but has enabled me to see one of my old school teachers - Ron Gilmour - who is in hospital whom I have not seen since I left school 47 years ago.
Distance walked approx 16miles.
Since starting my Dawdle I have lost weight - I was 13st 8lbs and now weigh in at 13st exactly.

Day 24 Wednesday September 22nd

At 7.45 a.m. Neil and I left the house and at 8.00 he dropped me off in Seatown. I then set off for the summit of Golden Cap, which is 620 ft above sea level and the highest cliff on the south coast. I arrived at the top at 8.28 and this was much easier than some of the other cliffs I've had to climb. At 9.40 I arrived at Charmouth having enjoyed some really nice views. In Charmouth I went to the Visitors Centre and spoke to the director, who said that as the tide was going out it was perfectly all right to go along the foreshore to Lyme Regis, avoiding the huge detour because of the landslips. At 10.40 I arrived at the Cobb, where I stopped for a pot of tea.
A short time later I set off for the walk along the undercliff between Lyme Regis and Seaton. This was really beautiful and scenic, and I eventually arrived in the centre of Seaton at 2 p.m., where I stopped for lunch. Then set off again at 2.15 for Seaton Hole, Beer, around Beer Head to Branscombe Mouth and arrived there at 4.00 and had another pot of tea.
I then set off for the remainder of my journey to Sidmouth, not realising that there were 3 more gaps in the cliffs with very steep valleys, each one descending to sea level and climbing back up to 500 ft. This slowed my progress! I eventually arrived at Sidmouth at 6.45 p.m. where Neil was waiting with the car and drove me back to Lyme Regis. Distance walked today 26 miles.

Day 23 Tuesday September 21st

8.05 a.m. I left the hostel and walked to the Ferry Bridge Inn where I met Dick Luther, who was my best man many years ago. We set out together and walked to Abbotsbury. The path goes along the landward side of the East and West Fleet and is very picturesque with a view of Chesil Beach. We arrived at Abbotsbury at 12.40 and had lunch together. Dick stayed in Abbotsbury as he was having trouble with his feet and was picked up by his wife. I set off again at 1.20 and arrived at West Bexington at 2.25. Then went on and passed through Burton Bradstock, then to West Bay and from there to Seatown. Arrived there 6 p.m. and was picked up by Neil Porthouse at 6.15 and am spending the night with Neil and Fiona in Lyme Regis.
Distance walked today 26.5 miles.