David and Jo's Adventures: Croyde to Westward Ho!

Croyde to Westward Ho!

Sat 4th July 2015

Bad night - talkers & snorers in tent next door! So decided to walk on and meet Paul & Alison near Braunton. Part of today's walk took us along 5.5kms at Saunton Sands beach. Then met them on their motorbike at a picnic area on the path. Glad of a stop by now and great to catch up with them both. They spoilt us with plenty of food and drinks even Hula Hoops custard doughnuts and energy drinks. Spent nearly two hours with them then carried on for another couple of hours towards Barnstable. This took us along the old railway line. Barnstable is at the head of a huge estuary so the scenery is different again from the last few days. Found a campsite for £15- tent up, showers and into bed by 9.30pm- it's always great to get horizontal!

Sun

Managed to get the tent packed away by 9am just before the rain and thunder started. Wet proof leggings on for the first time. Walked on via Barnstable and the rain had stopped within the hour. Still on the old train path we came across the stations masters cafe at Fremington. Had coffee and savoury cheese scones with cream cheese and pickle-yum, but one between two would have been enough! Walked on to Instow and sat looking across to Appledore which we could get a ferry to but high tide isn't until 8pm. So will have to go the long way around and walk for an extra 3 hours. It was hard going today even though on the flat and Jo has developed a couple of blisters! Got to Bideford an would u believe we saw Brian & Heather again. Chatted awhile before heading towards Appledore. Here we found a campsite at Knapp House Farm. Just before this we saw another person doing the same walk as us whom we met last week - Steve. Yesterday he had slipped over and stabbed himself on a discarded syringe - would u believe! Had to go to a hospital and get tests! Won't know the results for a month poor guy. Pork pies and a cuppa tea for supper and in bed by 8.30pm with our books - knackered again!

Mon

Are we too old for this???!!! Just slept for 12 hours!!! Overcast today and paid $6 for camp site-should have been $10 but showers were cold and basic- didnt use them and owner didn't complain. Then walked into Appledore which was a lovely village with a boat building history going back to the 18th century. We called into The Seagate http://theseagate.co.uk

for a coffee and ended up in there for ages. Chatting with the owner (Phil&Jan). They have owed it for 2and a half years and took 6 months to completely restore it. He showed David around and he was very proud of it and so he should be. Jo was impressed with the decor and the touches of Viv Westwood. Jo also enjoyed the toilets they even had handcream-think she would've loved to have rubbed it all over her body after 10 days on the walk! Walked on through Appledoor and chatted with the RNLI boys, who were very busy, as David mentioned his brother in law Rog, always is!!! (But they do a wonderful job). They pointed out the way ahead across the beach to Westward Ho! Where we arrived at about 4pm. Stopped at the local Tesco for tomorrows lunch and stopped at The Pier House Hotel for a much needed late lunch and early dinner and our first beers in 2 days!! Used the good wi-fi to catch up with home and the blog before heading off on the path to Clovelly to find a spot for the night.

Everyday we are meeting loads of people who love to stop and chat with us and are interested in what we are doing-too many to mention. We get a snippet of their lives which makes the whole journey more interesting. IT'S ABOUT THE JOURNEY NOT THE DESTINATION.