Wed 24th June 2015
Arrived in London and took the bus down to Bournemouth where Val Malcolm and Sunny(the dog) were there to meet us. Back to theirs for a lovely cup of tea and catch up. Still light at 9.30pm! There were hedgehogs in the garden. Great to get into bed having travelled for 30 hours.
Thurs
"Oh to be in England now that summer is here" sunny morning so sat in the garden for breakfast and chats. Val took us into Christchurch to sort out the mobile and get a couple of camping items. Had our first pint of ale in The George pub.
Fri
Sorted out our rucksacks. David went with Malcolm to Mudeford to check out his boat (not the one in the picture that's Vals new inflatable canoe) and fertilise/weed spray a couple of lawns! Money for old rope! They actually need rain in these parts would u believe. Out in the evening to a couple of pubs in Christchurch then home with takeaway fish n chips (the best).
Sat
Up early still trying to sort out the phone (always seem to have problems when overseas!) said our goodbyes they really looked after us again (we are hoping they come to meet us on the walk) Malcolm dropped us at Bournemouth station for train to Taunton via Upwey and Castle Cary then bus to Minehead (£74 for 2) took 6 hours! 2 hour stop in Castle Cary and was busy as this is the terminal for people going to Glastonbury Festival. Walked into town and had pub meal and 2 pints £27 (thanks Jim & Betty the first one was on them).Lost our way getting back to the station had to nearly run for the train! Arrived Minehead seemed a nice town full of questionable holiday makers and stag do parties! Got a few provisions from the Pound shop! Really cannot fit anything else in our backpacks now! Took Photo at starting point of The SouthWest Coastal Path (SWCP) 630 miles 1014km to go!
Set off about 5pm steep climb up through woods to North Hill and managed to get a Nearly flat area tucked away off the path for our first night. Tent up and stove on for a cup of tea. Into sleeping bags before dark (seems more of a slope now!!) read books and both fell asleep exhausted until woken at 3.30am by a wild pig hunting around outside! Jo could actually feel it nudging her through the side of the tent-bit of a worry but must of smelt us but with a couple of scary snorts was off! Couple of weed in the night and Jo used her Shewee out of the side of the tent.
Sun
Rained on and off all night and first thing in the morning so stayed in the tent til 9.30am! Rained stopped for the day and managed to pack away in the dry. Cup of tea and breakfast biscuits and off we go! Overcast but great for walking. Great views and sounds and fresh smells. Plenty of rest stops (There's No Rush) stopped at tea rooms in Bossington for coffee and scones about 2°c in the most beautiful gardens. A bird even landed on David's book as he was reading it. £8. Took a long break to rest our legs as a bit out of trading for this. Headed on for another 2 hours to Porlock Weir - lovely little fishing village. Had a couple of pints in The Ship Inn and a long chat with a couple of locals. Takeaway fish and chips (£10) then walked up through the forest and found a nice flat spot for the night. Just in time as David farted and followed through - oh what a mess!!! Cleaned up and had a good night. 16kms so far.
Mon
Earlier start - really lovely day and a great 20km walk very hard at times (steep and rocky underfoot). Met a few walkers to briefly chat with including 2 that are hoping to do the whole walk like us - so may see them again. First half was all through wooded areas just like an enchanted forest full of Fox Gloves in bloom but just too late for the masses of Bluebells. Second half opened up to an amazing cliff walk overlooking blue water green slopes and masses of Azaleas which unfortunately we're past their best by now. Staggered into The Blue Ball Inn at Countisbury - really feeling it in our legs now! Enjoyed ham fresh farm eggs chips and peas washed down with a couple of ales! What a great old pub in the best location. Photos cannot do this place justice and trying not to take as many as on our last adventure. 4.30pm by now and headed another hour down into Lynmouth really quaint old town with Lynton in the hills above it. Sunny tomorrow so are going to camp here for 2 nights. Trouble is the campsite was 800mtrs uphill and really couldn't face walking to it. Luckily 2 locals offered us a lift. Thank God. Lovely friendly site 8pm by the time we got the tent up and had wonderful long hot showers (first since Saturday morning!). £6.50 a night.
Tues
Great nights sleep by the roaring river. Lovely sunny day. Great staff at the campsite who allowed us to use their personal washing line. Walked into Lynton-pretty village sat and wrote up blog while overlooking Lynmouth then walked down into it. Great seaside town more for oldies & walkers (no not those ones Jess!) as not a family friendly beach - large pebbles. Had bad flood here in 1952 killed 34 people. Beer in pub then up on a funicular railway powered by water. Back to the campsite for sunbath before showering. Then to The Cottage Inn for a drink and Thai Meal - heaven. Back on the path tomorrow which is a hard section so may split in 2.
