Bude to Elmscott

Date: 28th August 2017
Distance:  12.4 miles

Time: 6:07'17.4
Ascent: 3461 feet

Total SWCP so far: 127.9 miles

Route

Progress

Profile

Martin and Marina's Bit

A magnificent day, with tremendous scenery. Once again it was baking hot but fortunately we'd brought extra water, which we really needed.

Shortening this stage by having walked further the day before turned out to have been a good decision. Even at only 12.4 miles, this is a tough stretch of coastline with numerous steep ascents and descents. In all, we ascended over 3,400 feet. Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain, is 3,209 feet.

We were walking east again today and started in Cornwall, a new SWCP county for us, crossing back into Devon towards the end of the stage.

There are quite a few natural stone arches in the sea on this stretch, which are worth looking out for.

A great day, perhaps the best so far.

We plan to walk the next 4 SWCP stages over the new year period!

Derek and Lesley's Bit

Bude to Elmscott a mere 12.4 miles but very hot.

We walked out from Bude looking down at the sea pool where Martin & myself will be taking a dip at the new year when we continue our journey (Watch this space to see if we brave the cold!).

The climbs assents & descents on this section were challenging as it was hot  but again the views were out of this world!

A big mushroomy thing. Photo by Derek.

Having driven to Bude in Cornwall we walked back into North Devon now having walked in three counties we are nearing the end of the first book of the walk 630 miles total walking with 127.9 done we are well on our way!

Bring on the new year for our next expedition.

Photographs

Elmscott to Clovelly

Date: 27th August 2017
Distance:  13.9 miles
Time: 6:55'48.0

Ascent: 2726 feet


Total SWCP so far: 115.5 miles

Route

Progress

Profile

Martin and Marina's Bit

We'd been warned that day 3 of this trip, between Hartland Quay and Bude, was a very tough 15 miles, with lots of ascent and descent. Consequently we took the decision to lengthen today's 10 mile route by adding nearly 4 miles from tomorrow's route to it, thus giving ourselves an easier day 3.

So the guide book has this stage as Clovelly to Hartland Quay. Our extended route was walked in the opposite direction, back to where we were staying in Clovelly but starting at Elmscott, a few miles further down the coast.

We parked a car right by the route and walked down towards the cliffs. It was early and while the sun was  up and in the sky, it was also very misty, with the cliffs in either direction, shrouded in mist. As we got to the cliffs, Martin noticed something most peculiar and remarked on it. What he'd seen looked like a small, circular rainbow.... with his own silhouette right in the centre of it! Incredible. We all saw it, but presumably each person was seeing their own silhouette. After a bit of research, we concluded that we were seeing a rare, meteorological phenomena called a Glory. Amazing. Probably a once in a lifetime experience. There's a photo of the Glory below.

Once again, it was a hot and sweaty day, with water being gulped at quite a rate. We took advantage of the tea hut at Hartland Quay to drink (and Lesley took advantage of the availability of cake!). Best of all though, those lovely tea hut people had cold water at the ready and filled our bottles for us, free of charge.

There was a river to cross today. We were certain we'd seen a bridge from the path approaching the river, but couldn't see it once we got to the river. All four intrepid walkers braved the torrents and got across safely. "Oh there's the bridge!" said Derek, once we'd all crossed!

There's a risk of being repetitive and devaluing the superlatives used to describe the views from the SWCP but let's just say that today surpassed expectations, as would tomorrow's walk and let the photographs below, speak for themselves.

There was more drone videography in the evening.

Derek and Lesley's Bit

We extended the walk today to shorten tomorrows walk as we were informed that this is quite a challenging section.

Having parked on route this car was to be left here overnight to enable a swift start from Bude the following day a plan that worked really well.

We started walking in mist but saw the most rare phenomena see Martin's photo!! The mist soon gave way to scorching hot sun drink drink drink water to maintain hydration but we did run very short of water towards the end.

There was a tiny stream to cross the bridge that we saw from the top of the hill evaded us so we had to wade through at least 4’’ / 120mm of water some of the party made it seem that we were going to wade through the Mississippi river! We all made it safe & dry.

Intrepid river crossers. Photo by Derek.

The views again were fantastic.

Hartland Point. Photo by Derek.

Making it back to the B&B with time to go out & fly the drone & get supplies in for the evening. Lesley was resting while Martin, Marina & myself drove out to find a suitable location to fly the drone & ended up at Heartland quay eventually paying the £2 to park,(On the way out).

Photographs