Day 32 Thursday September 30th

Today is my birthday, I am 66 today! At 8.00 I left the b & b at Portwrinkle and set off for Downderry. This was fairly up and down, severely in places and I arrived in Downderry at 9.25. I did a little shopping in Downderry and then I went down to the beach and the tide being out, I was able to walk along the sea wall to Seaton. From Seaton I continued along the coast path until I got to Millendreath Beach at 11.15. This was a miserable sight of dereliction and had obviously seen better days. I then arrived in Looe at 12 noon. After a short break I walked over the bridge to West Looe and down to Hannafore Parade and at the end of the road the coast path continued. Eventually I passed the village of Tallend and then on to Polperro. Before Polperro the footpath was closed due to civil engineering works and a diversion inland was necessary. I arrived in Polperro at 2.30 and treated myself to a cream tea at the House on Props. I then continued along the coast path which became a real roller coaster, with 3 flights of steps down and 3 flights of steps up, each one with between 150 and 180 steps. I eventually got to Pencarrow Head at 4.55. I then pressed on and got to Polruan only to see the ferry departing. I caught the next ferry at 6.15, and at 6.45 arrived at my accommodation at Fowey. By the time I got to Polruan the weather was worsening with a storm threatening for tonight. Fortunately tomorrow there are no ferries for me to catch! Distance walked about 25 miles.

Day 31 Wednesday 29th September

I left the bed and breakfast at Wembury at 8.00 in the pouring rain. I quickly made my way to the coast path and at 8.35 I reached Wembury Point, with the Great Mew Stone off shore, I then continued around the coast passing Bovisand Bay and then to Jennycliff Bay. The path here was diverted on to the road, which delayed me slightly as I took a wrong turn and I arrived at Mount Batten to see the ferry just departing. I had to wait until 11 o'clock for the next ferry. Once in Plymouth it only took me 50 minutes to get to the next ferry, only to find the boat had just set sail from the slipway. There was a sign by the slipway which said, "Minehead 352 miles". I felt duly encouraged. I caught the ferry at 12.15 and arrived in Cornwall at 12.25. I am now in my 7th county.

I set off through Mount Edgcumbe Country Park and this continued almost to Kingsand through some delightful woodland. Kingsand and Cawsand are 2 very quaint villages and after Cawsand I walked to Rame Head, and from here I could see a whole series of villages along the coastline, including Portwrinkle. I continued along the bay through Tregonhawke and then Freathy, and when I got to Treantle Fort the red flags were down and the gate was open, so I proceeded up the permissive path, only to be stopped by a soldier pointing a gun, who informed me that I couldn't go any further (because they were playing soldiers). I told the soldier that they should follow their own regulations and close the gate so that the puplic could not enter. He informed me that the gate on the other side had been closed! I then retraced my steps and took the alternative route round by the road. I eventually arrived at Portwrinkle at 6.30, but to get a meal that evening I had to walk another half mile to Crafthole, and back. Distance walked approx. 22 miles.

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

Day 29 Monday September 27th

Dudley, Jenny and Adrian left Newton Abbot at 7.30 a.m. and I started my walk from Stoke Fleming at 8.30. I followed the path down to Blackpool Sands and then back up again to Strete. After leaving the village, the path went off down a track till I arrived at Strete Gate at 9.25. Then I followed the path down the side of the marshes of Slapton Ley until I came to Torcross at 10.15. Had a look at the Sherman tank which is a memorial to the American servicemen who died while preparing for D-Day. 942 died. I then went across a small promentary to Beesands, where I had a coffee at 11 o'clock. Then I passed Hallsands, where the village was destroyed in 1917 - this was caused by inappropriate excavation of gravel from the sea bed. At 11.55 I arrived at Start Point and there was a sign saying "462 miles to Minehead".

Then stopped for lunch at Lannacombe Bay at 12.40. At 1 p.m. started walking again, passing Maelcombe House and passed Prawle Point at 2 o'clock and Seacombe Sands at 3.08. While at Prawle Point I saw a Cirl Bunting and a Peregin Falcon. At 4.25 I caught the ferry and arrived in Salcombe. At 5.15 I caught another ferry to South Sands and then walked a mile or so to the youth hostel, which is part of a large National Trust property with lovely views over the estuary.

Distance walked today 22 miles.

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.