Linda drove us back to Wonwell beach on the other side of the estuary from where we left off and walked with us for an hour before saying our goodbyes (we had certainly been spoilt again by them both and had fun. Will miss the tea & porridge in bed tomorrow). It was midday by the time we got going and a strenuous walk to Bigbury on Sea to get Te ferry over the estuary. Didn't realise that it only operated one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon! Had missed it so Jo frantically ever and shouted to get someone's attention on the other side! Didn't fancy the 8 mile walk around and the ferry doesn't run at all on Sunday's. Luckily two lads saw us and took pity and with a bit of wading to the boat took us across. We had a couple of pints in The Sloop Inn and left a couple behind the bar for the lads. We then headed on to find a wild camp. Trouble was there were no spots so we just kept walking all the way to Hope Cove. 11miles all up and getting dark by then. There was the yearly festival on so very busy in this lovely fishing hamlet and fireworks at 9.30pm. So we both had a pork roll, chatted to some locals and headed out to wild camp up on the hills to watch the fireworks from the tent. First time we have finished the day having to put headlamps on to see where we were going and to put the tent up!
Sun
Crap weather again today! Managed to get packed away ok between showers. The heavens opened up and pretty much rained all day all the way to Salcombe (8miles). After getting everything dry at Ian & Linda's this was a real downer on the day. A shame about the weather as this and the next few days walking is some of the most stunning so far. Even the rain couldn't spoil it as it was like being in Scotland with the high rocky outcrops combined with Dartmoor all cascading into the ocean. Salcombe was so lovely although full of annoying rich yachty types a bit pretentious. Had a couple of beers in the pub to try to dry out a bit then great takeaway fish n chips that we took with us across the estuary on another ferry. Took awhile to find a camp spot again but managed to find a flat spot as it was getting dark at Garra Rock. We were overlooked by a flash hotel! Wonder how much they were paying a night?
Mon
Dry day!!! Dry tops and dry socks on-happy days! Great walk today and lovely sandy bays and rugged scenery. Headed off the path a mike to East Prawle and the Pigs Nose pub. Had to leave our packs outside as it was so cramped. Tasty ham egg and chips for lunch. After two hours in the pub and now the sun shining we carried on via The Lost Village at Hallsands (it was destroyed after they dredged the bay to build Devonport in 1906 and is still affecting the remaining houses). Again had the problem of finding a suitable flat patch of ground-you wouldn't imagine it would be so hard-we only need 4mx3m! Ended up walking on and on to Beesands. Even though it said no camping we picked a spot furthest away on the village green and with a bench seat-heaven.
Lift across estuary
Cliff erosion!
