Tuesday 26th October 2010
Back down to Shafstboro Farm in Lee Bay to resume my walk after an enforced rest. Dinner with Margaret and her family. Weather was initially wet and windy, although the wind abated later in the day along with
the rain. I set off in anticipation of the day ahead, feeling fit once more following the weeks of physiotherapy and osteopathy. Arriving in Ilfracombe, I
waited in “Dolly’s Café” for the arrival of Colin Wakefield and Rowena Perkins from Furry Feet tv who produce the British Coast Guide. In support of my Walk, they had generously offered to come down and make a short video about my progress so far, and provide me with a video camera so I could have a go at recording a video diary. After an interview on the sea front, I was sent on my way up a steep and winding uphill path whilst they filmed me. A few miles further along the coast I rounded the point into Hele Bay and there they were with their camera filming my day’s progress! I am so grateful to them and to Furry Feet tv for their incredible generosity. As darkness fell, I got a kind and concerned call from my hosts John and Penny James at Mellstock House B&B in Combe Martin to check I was ok. I spent the night in a palatial suite and a bed I could easily have got lost in. Complete luxury.
Wednesday 27th October 2010
Sunny day. Walked from Combe Martin via Little Hangman and Great Hangman to Lynton. A particularly beautiful and wooded section of coastline basking in glorious autumn sunlight. Wood Bay, Heddon Mouth and the incredible Valley of the Rocks. I had no idea this stretch of coastline had these gems.
Thursday 28th October 2010
Lynton to Porlock Weir. Sunny, mild and some showers. More beautiful
woodland scenery, carriage paths along with some strenuous ups and downs.
Friday 29th October 2010
I was joined by Reverend Ben for the final day of this South West Coast Path leg of the Walk. We ate our picnic lunch in sunny weather and rounded the coast into Minehead at the end of this 630 mile National Trail. I embraced the sculpture which marks the finish (or start) of the longest National Trail in the UK, the equivalent of walking from sea level up to the summit of Mount Everest and back down again… twice! Only another few thousand miles to go! The magnificent commemorative marker was erected in 2001 and represents a pair of hands holding a map. Sculpted by Owen Cunningham and designed by a local art student called Sarah Ward, it was a wonderful symbol to behold. Ben and I celebrated with a cream tea!
Back down to Shafstboro Farm in Lee Bay to resume my walk after an enforced rest. Dinner with Margaret and her family. Weather was initially wet and windy, although the wind abated later in the day along with
the rain. I set off in anticipation of the day ahead, feeling fit once more following the weeks of physiotherapy and osteopathy. Arriving in Ilfracombe, I
waited in “Dolly’s Café” for the arrival of Colin Wakefield and Rowena Perkins from Furry Feet tv who produce the British Coast Guide. In support of my Walk, they had generously offered to come down and make a short video about my progress so far, and provide me with a video camera so I could have a go at recording a video diary. After an interview on the sea front, I was sent on my way up a steep and winding uphill path whilst they filmed me. A few miles further along the coast I rounded the point into Hele Bay and there they were with their camera filming my day’s progress! I am so grateful to them and to Furry Feet tv for their incredible generosity. As darkness fell, I got a kind and concerned call from my hosts John and Penny James at Mellstock House B&B in Combe Martin to check I was ok. I spent the night in a palatial suite and a bed I could easily have got lost in. Complete luxury.
Wednesday 27th October 2010
Sunny day. Walked from Combe Martin via Little Hangman and Great Hangman to Lynton. A particularly beautiful and wooded section of coastline basking in glorious autumn sunlight. Wood Bay, Heddon Mouth and the incredible Valley of the Rocks. I had no idea this stretch of coastline had these gems.
Thursday 28th October 2010
Lynton to Porlock Weir. Sunny, mild and some showers. More beautiful
woodland scenery, carriage paths along with some strenuous ups and downs.
Friday 29th October 2010
I was joined by Reverend Ben for the final day of this South West Coast Path leg of the Walk. We ate our picnic lunch in sunny weather and rounded the coast into Minehead at the end of this 630 mile National Trail. I embraced the sculpture which marks the finish (or start) of the longest National Trail in the UK, the equivalent of walking from sea level up to the summit of Mount Everest and back down again… twice! Only another few thousand miles to go! The magnificent commemorative marker was erected in 2001 and represents a pair of hands holding a map. Sculpted by Owen Cunningham and designed by a local art student called Sarah Ward, it was a wonderful symbol to behold. Ben and I celebrated with a cream tea!
