Following the river Sid we walked back to the Sidmouth RNLI station, where morning exercises were in action, to rejoin the path. Starting our first ascent, we watched seagulls bathe from the brand new promenade bridge across the Sid.
A few long sustained, arduous, vertical climbs up and down steep, sometimes stepped or wooded, slopes with grand views of the the Jurassic coast and chequered farmland took us to Weston plats passing Salcombe mouth. This was an area of small market plots farmed by Beer residents, taking advantage of the verdant sheltered plateau. Another steep descent followed down to rolling waves on Weston Beach.
After ascending yet another long tough climb we walked across the headland down through the woods glimpsing Beer village in the valley; I was very glad we choose to meet my family at Branscombe beach. Emerging from a wooded track, ready to descend to the beach; surprise, there was dad waiting for us.
A delicious lunch avoiding drizzle at the beach cafe over, donning waterproofs we all climbed across the wooded then exposed chalk 1790 landslide at Hooken hill up to the cliff top before descending easier grassy slopes through a caravan park down to Beer harbour. Probably a bit too arduous for your 82 year old dad!
On Beer beach we leisurely drank well-earned cups of tea wishing dad Happy Father’s Day; so amazing to have his and my sister’s company, whilst walking for mum. Later feeling cold we eschewed exploring the village for an early dinner at the pub.
Sadly we then said goodbye as they returned home and we walked up (it’s always up) the hill to the YHA; exactly the same as I remembered from my first ever school trip away at 8 years old!
Official SW Coast path: 11miles
Official running total: 536miles
Afternoon photos at Branscombe.
Climbing over Hooken Cliff landslide from Branscombe to Beer.
Morning photos Sidmouth to almost Branscombe.
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 Beer YHA Beer on 19 June; www.yha.org.uk
Great to meet you two today in the sandwich queue in Lyme Regis. Immensely impressed with your venture. Beer to Lyme was only half of your gruelling walk today and I hope you reached Chideock OK. and enjoyed your Airbnb.