Braunton to Westward Ho!

Date: 1st May 2017
Distance: 22.4 miles

Time: 3:28'02.4
Ascent: 364 feet

Total SWCP so far: 88.2 miles

Route

Progress

Profile

Martin and Marina's Bit

This was a cycling stage, which made a nice change. Consequently we'd travelled down with four bikes on the cars, Martin and Derek with their identical Specialized Rockhoppers. 

It has to be said that until the final mile, this was not the most exciting of SWCP stages. Compared to other stages we'd completed, it was a little flat and comparatively drab. But that final mile was something special! We arrived when the tide was out at Westward Ho! and wheeled the bikes down over the stones and onto the beach. We then had a glorious ride down the beach, grinning like kids and whizzing through big puddles, all the way to the jetty, above which one of the cars was parked. A cracking end to the day. 

Derek and Lesley's Bit

We have to confess we cycled this bit as it was mainly tarmac cycle path 22.4 miles worth, we were intending to leave our bikes & walk the last section from Bideford to Westward Ho!  but with all good intention out of the window we cycled the whole of the section which turned us into big kids as we approached westward ho! the tide was out & we rode along the beach wet sand flying off our wheels splashing in & out pf the puddles!!!

The ladies found a nice bike wash so most of the sand & salt were washed away.

Putting the bikes onto the car ready for our return journey was swiftly done & we oh what a surprise found a nice café to round off the day.

Photographs

Woolacombe to Braunton

Date: 30th April 2017
Distance: 15.1 miles

Time: 5:35'55.4
Ascent: 1053 feet


Total SWCP so far: 65.8 miles

Route

Progress

Profile

Martin and Marina's Bit

Not far from the start of this stage, we walked out along the headland which juts out into the sea, at right angles to Putsborough Sand. The views back towards the beach and across the bay were magnificent and the path was surrounded by yellow gorse and patches of bluebells.

Round the other side of the headland, we came to Baggy Point. Martin was delighted to see one of the most exciting (i.e. terrifying) rock climbs he's every done again, "Kinky Boots" and told his story (yet again) about the start to the route which involves quite literally, falling forwards over a zawn, to lean on the other side, find hand or finger holds and then swing your feet across. Gulp!

Here's a pretty good video of Kinky Boots being climbed.

At Croyde Bay there were hardy surfers out in the grey sea. It was getting rainy now. I guess a bit of rain doesn't matter when you've been sat on your board in the sea for 30 minutes waiting for a decent wave.

By the time we were approaching the nature reserve at Braunton Burrows, it was pouring down and we'd all donned waterproofs. The beach at Braunton, marking the end of  this stage, was a welcome sight.

Derek and Lesley's Bit

Today we set off at about 7.30am from Woolacombe beach to walk to Braunton 15.1 miles west of us its hot as we start walking but rain has been forecast so the early start is to try & finish in the dry, lay your bets do we make it in the dry?

Well the clouds start to drift in & the wind is picking up & those most unwelcome rain drops start to fall gently at first but gradually get heavier we all ‘don’ our waterproofs some more waterproof than others!!

Photographs