New Valley Hills

Starting off again after a rest day and two nights at Katy’s.

It fells autumnal- cooler, fresher and windier.

Yesterday’s rain had washed considerable amounts of red mud out to sea.

I made it to the Exmouth-Starcross ferry with 25 seconds to spare. I paid, boarded, took my pack off and sat down. We were off! An hour’s wait for the next one otherwise.

The tide was rushing out of the River Exe estuary which made it quite thrilling as the 20 person passenger ferry tacked across the fast moving water. I was the only passenger.

The first sighting of a seal, kindly pointed out by the skipper.

Much of today was pavement, which gives me sore feet. The civil engineering of the shoreline railway was interesting though.

Walking through Dawlish there was no evidence of yesterdays flooding.

The next ferry was Teignmouth to Shaldon, which stops at 1630 this time of year. I made that with 5 minutes to spare.

I’m at a small farm campsite in Shaldon, only £10 coast walkers rate with free, excellent showers. While I write this the farmer is re-laying his gravel tracks which washed out to sea yesterday.