New Valley Hills

My feet seem to have survived the five toe liner socks yesterday. No lube needed on the slipping heel and no silicone toe protector on the other big toe to prevent it rubbing on the next toe. 👍

Amazingly I’m a fifth of the way round. 200km walked. Yesterday I managed a smidge under 32km even accounting for 4km of ferry river crossings. It was an easy walking, relatively flat day.

I’ve been under-changed in shop before but never over-changed. Cash point didn’t work so did a cashback in a shop. Asked for £50 and got six £10 notes. The startled look on the cashier’s face as I counted the money and returned a tenner was something else!

Today’s pasty test – is a sun-warmed Chunk better than a Ginsters? I was expecting yes however it was bland.

Below are two images from same webcam showing the extent of flooding in Dawlish on Sunday.

Last night was cool and windy. I closed the footbox of my quilt and used its two straps attaching it to the sleep pad. Without drafts I was nice and toasty.

Today’s walk started difficult with plenty of very steep slopes. As the gradients lessened the wind picked up. While the guidebook said good views all I got was Thatcher Rock as I turned into Torbay.

I hole up in a Torquay cafe eating Shakshuka while the wind blows at 43kph and gusts to 65kph. Hard going even on a wide flat pavement.

Tomorrow’s (Wednesday) weather is a variation of Sunday’s – not quite as much rain but much higher winds, gusting up to 9 on the Beaufort Scale.

Old time friend Pwete has offered me shelter for two nights. Fortunately he’s working in Paignton Tuesday and Thursday. We drive inland to his home in a sheltered valley below the east side of Dartmoor.

While it’s a pain to be off the trail for a day again so soon after the last one I’m very grateful for the respite. My feet hurt again after pounding the promenades of Torquay and Paignton.