I decide overnight today will be a rest day. It’s forecast rain and strong wind all day. I’m also taking a bus from Bideford to Braunton taking me along what would’ve been 27km with 17m(!) ascent of road, pavement and Tarka Trail walk/cycle path. Boring as hell. So far I’ve walked Weymouth pavements (twice!), avoided Continue reading

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 Continue reading

Even colder than last night, down to 5C which is below the comfort rating for my goose down quilt. I deployed same tricks as last night and then kept them on all night. It was tolerable. This is the first time I missed the CCF ‘eggcup’ pad under my inflatable sleep mat. I could sometimes Continue reading

It was cold last night. I deployed all my warm gear and fell asleep comfortably. Woke up three hours later roasting so shed most of it, then some of that went back on at 0400. Coldest was 8C. Thick socks, quilt foot box closed up, quilt strapped down, warm mid layer worn with hood up. Continue reading

Up at 0600. Out the door at 0710. The horny bull at Beeny Cliffs was not apparent thankfully. Evidence of his excited chuntering up and down trying to get to the cows was evident – bent fence, churned mud and cowpats on the footpath. Lots of zigzags up and down many times. Great walking to Continue reading

The cold lingers, upsetting my sleep. My room overlooks the small river that made the Boscastle valley. The continuous sounds of water bubbling over the rocky river bed masks any rain noise overnight. I have no idea how much fell. It’s unsettling being indoors, cocooned from nature. Apart from 3 days of storms at the Continue reading

Away at 0720, early in case the bad weather arrives sooner. Soon enough I manage to find a weak phone signal. Enough to squirt Lisa an update message – I’m still alive and making progress. What’s slipperier – mud or shale slate? Wet grass from the off, I resign myself to wet feet for the Continue reading

After nearly 11 hours in bed it feels like my cold has turned a corner. My throat improved overnight and it’s moved into my nose and head. Some painkillers to dull the throb. The many toothed from the afternoon before is called Peter. A friendly South African by birth he now lives here, drawing comparison Continue reading

Slept badly again. Sore throat is joined by a stuffy nose and a cough. Foggy start at 0600 so took my time leaving. Left at 0800, walked 1km and found Treyarnon Bay Youth Hostel with an open cafe. Coffee and full English breaky to help make me feel better. Only 21km today to Padstow where Continue reading

I sleep badly. On the trail at 0740. Being inland a bit I cut off a corner and head swiftly for the tidal bridge over The Gannel. I pass through Crantock which had a lovely unspoilt village heart. The local shop is cooking pastries, I’m drawn by the smell. The tidal bridge isn’t accessible at Continue reading