Day 48 Starcross to Sidmouth; Chatting to Dad; red Cliffs; Cooler; Cream tea; Caravan parks

Paula Cooper

Jun 19, 20222 min read

Updated: Aug 1, 2022

Enjoying the cooler weather, breakfasting on a bench overlooking the Ex estuary before catching the ferry, I received my sister’s text to say they’d made it to the cafe in Exmouth. Hugs all round as we left Exmouth harbour for the seafront promenade passing an amazing sand sculpture. After a short climb we reached the Geoneeddle at Orcombe point marking the start of the Jurassic coast. Gentle walking followed by the steep climb through Sandy bay caravan site overlooking the royal marine range at straight point, gave us our first views of the red jurassic cliffs.

Chatting to dad and my sister we descended down to BudLeigh Salterton; so lovely they could join us. Then on the shingle beach we celebrated mum with a cream tea my sister made including gluten free scones for dad!

Waving goodbye to my sister and dad, we carried on in land passing a game of cricket, crossing the river Otter through the pretty nature reserve; nice change of scene. Ascending across farm land, we glimpsed Sidmouth in the distance before being treated to the spectacular red sandstone stacks at Ladram bay. Passing through another caravan park, threatening clouds and gusting winds blew us up the steep climb over Peak hill, before we descended down to Sidmouth. Passing the steps to Connaught gardens we skirted the red sandstone cliffs to the promenade; amazing to see them close up.

On reaching the life boat station we walked through the town, passing the ford, across the park to the Airbnb. Later the luxury of a lift to the pub and a welcome if slow (Devon’s clearly short staffed too) dinner with Dad and my sister.

Family beach Cream tea celebration, a la my Sister; Rating 10 (Amazing, inc gluten free option, just like mum’s)

Official SW Coast path: 13miles

Official running total: 525miles