Gig racers, from coastal path towns we’ve visited, on their way to registration accompanied us as we walked through Salcombe to catch the ferry to Portlemouth. A peaceful stroll through woods with glimpses of lovely sandy Mill bay took us to the end of the estuary.
Waves crashing and birds singing, the tougher narrow path wended up and down through moorland cliffs, scrambling over granite boulders, fortunately sometimes level, cloudy and breezy with great views. Passing lovely isolated coves we watched the odd brave swimmer or surfer, running groups and walkers enjoying their Sunday.
Waving at the duty watch at Prawle point lookout we rounded the headland to see a patchwork of Devon farmland across gentler slopes down to the beach. Level walking through fields, someone’s garden, along side a long beach with foundered lumps of cliff we finally found a bench for snacks overlooking distant Start point lighthouse.
Replenished we walked up to the carpark greeted with a windy view of the next huge bay, with Beesands Torcross and Dartmouth (apparently too). Much calmer waters and big sky! (Of course I got coffee from the van)
Before reaching Beesands, and ice cream to revive my hero, my path weary husband, on the breakwater we stopped to see the remains of foundered Hallsands. In reinforcing Plymouth naval base they took the the shingle protecting the fishing hamlet (187 souls) crammed onto a natural cliff ledge. Victorian naval folk believed the bay would naturally replenish the shingle beach, which had in fact been laid down in prehistoric times, instead erosion caused the village to collapse into the sea. Folly of man!
Official SW Coast path: 13miles
Official running total: 464miles
If you would like support our walk for Alzheimer’s the two charity just giving pages are
And
You can also find me on instagram; search for paulas.mad.adventures
Thank you
Paula
PS We stayed at the Cricket Inn Beesands on 12 June; www.thecricketinn.com
Comments