New Valley Hills

Only morning I woke up grumpy. Did not like the campsite. One the plus side it served a reasonable pint of ale at the bar, and had rooms for conveniences – shut the door on a shower, loo and hand basin to one’s self. On the minus the delivery lorry or late arrival diesel motorhome at 3am and people cutting the corner of my pitch and tripping over my guylines. There was no other tent or van within a 100ft. Grr!

Yesterday I posted home about 1lb of stuff I hasn’t used or don’t think I’ll need again. At the weekend I expect my first resupply box from home. I’ll swap out more stuff to dial in my carried kit, reduce weight and make myself happier all round.

Breaky was 2 bananas, then snacked on nuts I had and biggest blackberries picked from an unsprayed field margin.

I can smell sea but not hear it crashing on the pebbles. I must be in the Fleet.

Poisoned field next to SSSI nature reserve. We should not spray fields with pesticides, anywhere.

Last nights supper was a Ginsters pasty. Bought early and warmed by the sun on my backpack pocket it was more than acceptable with its plentiful pepper seasoning. I’m sure better is to come. If you’ve had a better pasty on the coast path in Devon or Cornwall this summer 2023 please comment below so I too can enjoy it.

The early morning walk to Abbotsbury was easy walking. Stopped at a cafe there for lunch. Another pasty (generic), and bought a Homity Pie for tomorrow’s breaky.

Heard tall tales from cafe proprietor regarding his bad luck with money and industrial espionage at a previous employer. Followed by gossiping with customers about foot pain. When someone exclaimed their bunion was more painful than childbirth us menfolk got laughed out the door. 🤣

Somewhere today I passed the official 100km point. Only 900 to go! My pace needs to up – a further 9 weeks will get me in trouble with the boss back home.

By my records I’ve walked 143km – there must’ve been lots of noodling for campsites, detours to sights and shops.

I reached the campsite I was over ambitiously aiming for last night. A further 21km – what was I thinking?! Puncknowle is inland over a high hill so not ideal for coast walkers. Though it’s lovely and quiet plus I have a flat pitch which is a first for several days. No more falling out of bed in the night. 🤣

The local pub has lasagne on the menu. I hope they can fit me in!