New Valley Hills

Slightly warmer outside than previous night, though it took an age to get warm in bed. The windchill factor had been strong.

The last tractor went past before 2300 then the lorries started at 0500. Good that I started sleeping at 2000.

Storm Babet is beginning to be felt. High winds overnight and getting stronger today. It’s good that the first half of walking is in sheltered woodland and second half turning inland on flat ground to next campsite just before Bideford.

Advice from the Fb group is to use inland routes over some of the sharper hills for rest of the week. I’m following progress reports of people in front of me.

I’ve got into the habit of leaving my wet shoes in the tent vestibule to a) air dry a little b) not stink up the tent. This morning after knocking out the crud that still manages to slip past the gaiters I slip them on, to a cold crunch on my left toes. Ick! A snail had taken up residence overnight. That’s an unpleasant job – removing snail parts from the toe end.

On the road at 0700 I walk back down to Clovelly. No traffic and downhill using a headtorch makes the 2km pass pleasantly.

The walk east starts on Hobby Drive, a 4km contour following country estate roadway from the 19th century. Under old woodland it’s a nice trundle. Pheasants squark as I disturb their morning rituals. Among them is a pure white female. Most unusual.

Peppercombe stirs memories, though sadly “The Hut” as we knew it no longer exists. In 2005 it still stood, however sometime before 2015 the wooden main part was demolished leaving just the stone kitchen which is now a bothy. I didn’t know it was a pigsty before accommodation.

If I’d planned this section differently I could’ve booked the bothy as my overnight spot.

The fabulously named Pine-Coffins had passed some of their estate to The National Trust, and some then went onwards to the Landmark Trust. The houses are still used as holiday accommodations.

After Peppercombe the path comes out of the trees. Although the hills are low the southerly strong wind blows me towards the water. I scurry along.

I ate everything before I got to Westward Ho! Except a small cured pork sausage later found hiding in a pocket I don’t normally put food in.

The bakery sells me a very good homity pie for later, the Rock Pool cafe has a good menu and very good cafe grub.

I end up cutting off the corner of estuary sand dunes around a golf course from Westward Ho! to Bideford. The blustery wind is strong and and I’m in no mood for 13km of flat path. I cut across to the campsite and still manage to walk 28 of the 31km listed for today.

This campsite is closed but opens for coast hikers until the end of the month. Again it’s by an A road but mercifully no tractors. It’s an adjunct to an organic food farm with a shop. I feast tonight on their lovely fruit, tomatoes and pastries.