Paula Cooper
- Jun 18, 2022
- 2 min read

Day 45 Dartmouth to Brixham; Resoundingly lovely; Rollercoaster; Reunion;

Updated: Aug 1, 2022

A resoundingly lovely, long, warm, difficult, rollercoaster of a walk across the moorland cliffs with blue skies, sparkling seal filled seas, great views, hidden coves and the welcome chance to catch up with my old school friend, her partner and dog Kira.

After coffee and croissant on the Dartmouth riverbank by the only station never to have had a train or platform, we met them at the Kingswear ferry. So lovely to see her again. Joining the uphill path in Kingswear, we climbed passed a “banksy” before entering the cooler woods, rounding the headland leading through Brownstone battery; great coastal views.

Ascending and descending the moorland cliffs, more than once we passed the cove embeded in my friends memory where years ago their well trained sheep dogs rescued their escaped flock after they decided on a bid for freedom or swim! Shortly after a kind NT ranger, keeping guard over a scrape with endangered nesting peregrine falcon chicks, let us view them through his telescope; a real treat!

We heard the seals first before frequently seeing their heads bobbing; a little too far for a photo but we did try!

Benches a sparse commodity, steep climbs and descents all too common, we decended into Man cove for a snack in the rocky cliff shade on the pebbly beach.

Hoping (but not getting) a level path, we headed round to Berry head to the cafe in the Guard House fortification. Unfortunately our unscheduled slight detour at St Mary’s bay meant we were too late! On reaching Brixham harbour we did just have time for a quick coffee and sad farewell as we both rushed to catch taxies; my friends back to their car and us to our bnb.

It was so lovely to enjoy my friends company; we mustn’t leave it so long to catch up.

Official SW Coast path: 11miles

Official running total: 485miles