Lynmouth to Croyde

Lynmouth to Croyde

Wed 1st July 2015

Would u believe we landed up drinking with an older Aussie couple last night! Great walk started a bit humid but a nice sea breeze by the afternoon. All muscles feeling much better now and our packs don't feel as heavy (9-10kg each). The views are spectacular. Met up with a couple from Luton!! (Where Jo was born) Brian & Heather (10 yrs older & carrying heavy packs than us!) walked some way with them and had lunch together at The Hunters Inn (best steak & Ale pie). Really hard walking in places about 20kms all up today - very green and wild flowers are out. One minute in forest next steep cliff tops. Caught up with B&H (they had left before us after lunch) and they were marching on to get to their booked campsite another 5 miles on and it was already 6°c- Sod that! we let them go on and sat down and brewed a cup of tea as low cloud came in - before ascending Great Hangman (one of the highest coastal locations in the country). You cannot imagine the climb up! Jo took a tumble - just a slip but the weight off the pack just sent her over so she then looked like a tortoise on its back! And not able to get up! Found a great flat spot tucked away off the track with unbelievable 360° views - by now the low clouds had gone. Set up tent and had a cup of soup with 8 wild horses and loads of sheep for company. This is the life.

Thurs

Up at 7.30am cuppa and biscuits taking in the views. Overcast today so good for walking. Great easy walk into Combe Martin (childhood memories for David) had a full English breakfast before heading for Ilfracombe. Drizzling with rain now but too humid for rain coats. Still good scenery and thankfully not as hot as at Wimbledon. Got to Hele and rain was heavier so called into the pub for a couple of pints and catch up with free Wi-fi. Bright sunshine when we carried on at 3pm. Looked around the lovely harbour at Ilfracombe and watched the fishermen offload plenty of sea bass. Walked then onto Lee (lovely little hamlet) then 4 very steep climbs and descents to North Mortenhoe farm campsite £12 at 8.30pm! Nice hot showers. It was a big walk today and cannot believe the physical challenges we are getting through. 9 hours of walking today! Met up again with B & H they had got buses today for most of the walk! And were very impressed with how far we had come.

Fri

Great sleep and woke to views over the sea. Should be good weather today. Did some hand washing before setting off for Woolacombe mid morning. Coast guard rescue were at the edge of Morte Point- rescuing at 72 yr old man - not sure what happened as they have to keep it confidential. Slighting detoured cause if it. Walked into Woolacombe  with its vast expanse of sandy beach which is supposedly the 13th best beach in the world! The town not great but had breakfast:lunch before heading along the beach (where we stopped and chatted to a lovely old couple who's blog/diary we are going to be on today!) Up and around Baggy Point then descended into Croyde. Lovely surfy village with good beach then found God campsite £22.50 which was a shock but that might be the price from now on as high season. This is still cheaper than a B&B. Hots showers and into nearby pub for good food and even better beer. Good wi-fi so caught up on this blog. Had phone call from the couple we met in Portugal last year (Paul & Alison) so looks like a well needed rest day tomorrow and another night in Croyde as they are going to come and see us on their motorbike.