Unforced (.org)

My daily mileage chart

2008-08-12T19:44:00.002+01:00

Finished!

2008-08-02T20:52:00.002+01:00

Hurray, I finished the swcp today at 12.45pm. Adam met me with some tinnies and chocolate off the ferry. Photos to be posted shortly (having some technical difficulties at the mo). Back in London now and still can't believe I have actually done it, the whole 640 miles (well i did get lost a few times! The path is really only 630 miles.)

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2008-08-02T19:26:00.000+01:00

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Durdle Door

2008-08-01T15:08:00.000+01:00

2 days to go!

2008-08-01T11:50:00.003+01:00

Lulworth Cove. Left the hostel at around 9am.

Was merrily following the yellow coast path markers through the range when I hit a road. Ended up miles inland as I didn't want to walk back, but I did get this view point :)

Thursday afternoon

2008-08-01T11:46:00.002+01:00

Noon: Had lunch and half of Tanglefoot at Lulworth Cove. Arrived at hostel at 5p.m.

The 95 miles of coast from Orcombe Point in Devon to Old Harry Rocks in Dorset is a world heritage site as it reveals 185 million years of the Earth's geological history in the cliffs.

31/07/08 a.m.

2008-07-31T12:54:00.002+01:00

9 a.m. Just setting off for the day. I bivi-ed next to the entrance of an air raid shelter that now has huge trees growing on it.

UPDATE: They are not air raid shelters, but radar stations built between 1935 and 1941 and called Chain Home, they provided an effective early warning system, and were also used during the cold war.

30/07/08 p.m.

2008-07-31T10:04:00.003+01:00

6 p.m. Just dipping my feet in the sea on the shingle beach just before Osmington Mills. I lived in Ringstead Bay which is the next one along when I was 16, so this is home turf. I have had a lovely day in the company of a nurse, Saskia, who I met at the hostel last night. She works in Redhill near where I used to live.

Next year Saskia is going to cycle around Jordan for charity :)

I was worried about this young calf I saw alone in a field mooing to his mum who was a couple of fields away mooing back. I think the farmer may have moved the herd without realising she had calved as none of the others had calves. They either belong to East Farm or East Farm Dairy.

7.30 p.m. Having dinner and a pint of badger in the Smuggler's 13th century inn in Osmington Mills.

8.30 p.m. Bivi-ing in an old lookout shelter.

Portland Bill

2008-07-30T13:45:00.000+01:00

Climbed up all 153 steps to the top of Portland Bill lighthouse.

29th July 2008

2008-07-30T13:03:00.003+01:00

Alarm went off at 6am, but only started walking just gone 7.

Funny sign that read "Walker information: danger - fast horses!" There was a sand gallop track for race horses next to the footpath.

9.28am got drenched in a massive downpour. Had to wring out my socks :(

2pm - arrived at Weymouth and went for lunch.

28th July

2008-07-29T10:16:00.004+01:00

Woops, overslept! Woke up at 8am - packed up and headed for Abbotsbury. With only a week left to walk I now have a schedule to try and keep, so I can end up in Poole on Saturday.

10.50 - waiting outside for the pub to open at Seatown. It is 32 degrees and I am going to wait until it cools down later to walk more.

Old fashioned corn harvesting for thatching.

Looking back at Golden Cap, 191 metres.

Only spent 2 hours in the pub for lunch and a lager shandy. 3.15pm on Burton beach having a Pepsi and a snack. The sun is blaring and I am melting. It should be flatter walking from now on.

Bivi'd on beach about 2 miles outside Abbotsbury.

Weekend Update

2008-07-28T13:39:00.004+01:00

Spent Friday afternoon and Saturday in Beer, as my legs just wouldn't go any further. The Anchor Inn has a beautiful beer garden overlooking the bay :)

Notice that the cliffs are chalk rather than red sandstone. The rest of the Coast Path to Studland is a world heritage site.

Sunday walked from Beer to just before Charmouth. This is 3.5 miles before Lyme Regis, walking though the pretty and shaded woodland paths of undercliffs national nature reserve.

This is the Cobb near Lyme Regis.

Bivi'd Sunday night in Fern Hill Wood near the busy main road to Charmouth, which is a SWCP diversion as the footpath nearer the coast is closed with landslide problems.

24th July p.m.

2008-07-25T10:09:00.004+01:00

Red sandstone cliffs at Exmouth

4.30pm Budleigh Salterton beach where I had an ice cream and hot chocolate.

Bird watching from a hide on the River Otter using binoculars that Joyce gave me :)
Spent the evening watching a heron (and some cricketers), and the night sleeping in a bird hide.

24th July a.m.

2008-07-24T12:50:00.004+01:00

My legs ache a lot even though I took drugs this morning. The good thing is I bought my missing map (for today and tomorrow's leg of the trip) , toothpaste and suncream in Teignmouth.

Joyce (who kindly put me up last night) walked along the sea wall with me in Teignmouth until Smugglers Lane which was lovely. We did get wet though from the spray as it was nearly high tide and the sea was rough because of the wind.

Starcross

2008-07-24T12:41:00.003+01:00

Arrived in Starcross at 12.10. The ferry goes at 1pm to Exmouth. It is very windy and the sea is rough :( Other ferries have cancelled that run from Dawlish.

Dawlish railway

2008-07-24T11:06:00.002+01:00

A view of Dawlish with the sea wall and the railway line.

Teignmouth

2008-07-23T17:30:00.003+01:00

View of Teignmouth.

Caught ferry across the river and arrived just after 5pm. Will find a pub to eat before heading to my accommodation. Glad to be here - it was a hard slog, and the second Badger may have been a mistake.

This is a freaky bird in the woods at Shaldon.

Hiding from the sun

2008-07-23T17:27:00.002+01:00

The mist has burnt off, so now it is boiling hot. 2.40pm in pub in Maidencombe drinking half a Badger.

Breakfast at Torquay

2008-07-23T10:23:00.002+01:00

Spent half an hour this morning wandering around lost in the mist, but finally found the path. Stopped for breakfast in a misty Torquay harbour at 9.45.

Brixham

2008-07-23T10:01:00.006+01:00

Berry Head lighthouse near Brixham.

Ate a pasty and chips by the quay - very pretty. Had to cross a golf course, but there were still people playing, so I slept in a copse on the other side.

There are some sick individuals around here! Do they BBQ the ones that don't make it?

Too hot again!

2008-07-22T15:01:00.002+01:00

12.30pm too hot walk so rested up and read my book under an old pine tree overlooking Pudcombe Cove. 3pm finished book, so started walking again.

Tuesday 22nd July

2008-07-22T11:54:00.002+01:00

Another hot day. Started walking from Little Dartmouth at 9.15am. Caught ferry across the river Dart. Nearly noon and admiring the view.

Too hot to walk

2008-07-21T15:41:00.002+01:00

Chilling on the beach at the moment, as it's too hot to walk. Bliss :)

It is supposed to be 29 degrees on Friday according to a chap I met who is walking and bivi-ing.

[Adam says]
Confirmed with the met office - the rest of the week is 26 degrees until Friday when it rises to 29.

Monday 21st July

2008-07-21T14:36:00.003+01:00

My cabin for the night
Looking back at Bolt Head. Left Salcombe at 8.30 on another scorching hot summer's day. I love Monday mornings!

Another bunker: this one is used as an animal shelter. Just past Prawle Point.

At last I have a pic of an adder seen on the path at 11.38am.

It's definitely an adder. I was on the ball and quick to throw down pack and photograph this one :)

At 12.20 I stopped for lunch and watched seals playing amongst the rocks just before Start Point. One was lazing on a rock, but was too difficult to photograph.

At 2pm I stopped for a half an Otter in the Cricket Inn in Beesands where I ran a half marathon along the Coast Path in February 2007.

Weekend Update

2008-07-21T11:11:00.012+01:00

Was thinking about not taking my pack with me as I'm staying on Mike's yacht for a few nights, but I was a bit worried as I walk funny without it, like I'm floating on air. I decided that it would be cheating to walk without it, so I'm walking with a full pack.

Left Mount Batten at 10.15am.

This is the view across to Plymouth.

Caught the ferry across River Yealm and Mike picked me up by River Erme (pictured) as you have to wade across when it is low tide (which I missed).

This is a gorse graveyard. I presume it was a controlled burn in winter to stop the gorse taking over the cliff tops.

Sunday started the walk to Salcombe at 9am. It's quite hilly as you can see from the picture, but it's a lovely summer's day. Ferries across the river Avon don't run on Sundays, and fording it is advised against as currents are strong. Called Mike who drove me around saving me a 9 mile detour. What a life saver!

Looking back on Hope Cove at 1.40pm. 8 miles left to Salcombe.

And this is Starhole Cove, near Salcombe.

All aboard! Arrived at South Sands at 4pm and got picked up in the rib.

Nearly done

2008-07-19T17:32:00.001+01:00

Signpost at wembury stating minehead 424 miles and poole 206 miles. Not far to go now:-)

17th July

2008-07-18T09:40:00.004+01:00

Looking back at Gribbin Daymark Tower where I spent the night listening to the bells attached to a buoy at the head.

Snake! 12.24pm, nearly trod on a little bright brown snake sunning itself on the path just past Lansollos Cove. I was too slow to take a photo, but it wasn't an adder and was the colour of dried fern (see picture).

I met a really neat guy in the Blue Peter Inn in Polperra, where I had lunch, who walked the whole Cornish coast for a local hospice. He finished last month. They had a pet caterpiller like my beetle!

Bad day in Barnstable

2008-07-17T13:59:00.004+01:00

[Adam Says]

What? Has she gone backwards?

This is a bad day in Barnstable. It was too big to message, so I picked it up by Bluetooth when I saw Lara at the weekend.

The Grotto

2008-07-17T10:21:00.002+01:00

View of the Grotto, about 3 miles to Fowey where I have to catch a ferry :)

Charlestown

2008-07-16T15:11:00.002+01:00

Had lunch and a half of Betty Stog's in Charlestown, St Austell. Very hot and sunny so will swim and wash my hair, then chill out on the beach for a while.

Gorran Haven

2008-07-15T16:19:00.003+01:00

3pm at Gorran Haven. I will find a pub and rest up for a while, as I've done 16.5 miles today. I hope to bivi along the coast later.

Bivi-ing difficulties

2008-07-15T10:17:00.002+01:00

My first attempt at bivi-ing last night ended in disaster when a herd of cows with very young calves and a bull decided to evict me.

The next section had Shetland Ponies so I took my chances and bivi-ed under a tree they obviously use as a shelter. At 2.30am I head the clip clop of little hooves and had to frighten them off 5 times before they gave up and left me in peace.

St Anthony Head

2008-07-15T10:15:00.002+01:00

St Anthony Head

Half way!

2008-07-14T13:13:00.005+01:00

[Adam says]

Yesterday Lara passed the half-way mark (unawares, as I was in Cornwall too). About 4 miles outside Coverack she had walked 315 miles!

Here are some statistics from the South West Coast Path Association about the section she's already walked:

55.4 easy miles, 160.39 moderate miles, 70.1 strenuous miles and 48.7 severe miles.

That's a total distance of 334.59 miles walked (to Falmouth) and a total climb of 65,781ft (20,050m).

Left to go, she has:

47.6 easy miles, 115 moderate miles, 115 strenuous miles and 17.7 severe miles.

That's a total of 295.3 miles and a total height of 49,150ft (14,981m).

Here's a picture of Lara approaching the half-way point. She would like you to take special note of how big her pack is :)

Falmouth

2008-07-14T13:10:00.004+01:00

10am coming into Falmouth.
Falmouth town and Marina are lovely.

I'm now on the ferry to St Mawes.
The Duchess of Cornwall ferry.

Strange Exchange

2008-07-14T12:42:00.002+01:00

This is the strangest exchange I have had with a person I've met on the SWCP.

I came across an older gentleman with a net and enquired "Hi, are you catching butterflies?"

"No flies really," he replied. "You see all these flies attracted to this bush because of all the aphids?"

I asked "Are you doing a research project?"

"No, it's really just a hobby."

I was rendered speechless. I could only manage "How unusual!"

Weekend update

2008-07-14T11:15:00.006+01:00

Apologies for the lack of posts this weekend! Here is a giant post describing the last few days in great detail - with photos.

The approach into Coverack on Friday afternoon. I spent the afternoon lounging on the beach.

A weather forecasting stone. The stone was dry, so it was not raining. There was a shadow, so it was sunny!

Had to walk an extra 2 mile road route at Gillan harbour as it was a few hours from low tide, so I couldn't use the stepping stones.

Caught the last ferry across to Helford Passage. Went to the Ferryboat Inn for a half of Tribute, and ordered food later.

Running out of country!

2008-07-10T21:29:00.002+01:00

After having recently run out of West, Lara has now run out of South to travel, leaving her only East to go! She's staying tonight in the Lizard Youth Hostel.

Mullion Cove

2008-07-10T15:24:00.002+01:00

Stopped at Mullion Cove to eat my roll :) Only 7 miles to the Lizard, so I'll push on. Hopefully there'll be a bed at the youth hostel, but if not I might bivi if the weather's OK.

Porthleven Village

2008-07-10T11:46:00.001+01:00

Porthleven Village - I might have to get my sunglasses out in a minute!

Praa Sands

2008-07-10T10:50:00.002+01:00

Looking back at Praa Sands where I stayed last night. I was only charged £25 because it was a kids' room :)

Marzipan

2008-07-09T13:19:00.002+01:00

Only 1 mile to go to Marazion, which I prefer to call Marzipan :)

Walking in the rain is tedious. No views due to the weather. Can barely see St Michaels Mount.

---

In the pub now with half a Tribute - have ordered lunch. Boots left at the door, and have rung out my socks.

Adders and Lighthouses

2008-07-09T08:22:00.003+01:00

Saw an adder on the path between Merthen Point and Boscawen Point, but it slipped away before I could photograph it.

This is Pendeen Watch. It's very noisy when they honk those fog horns.

Minack Theatre

2008-07-08T15:15:00.001+01:00

A beach near the Minack Theatre which is built into the cliffs.

8th July

2008-07-08T13:17:00.002+01:00

Lara's making her way through Porthgwarra and hoping to reach Lamorna Cove this evening. This means that she's passed Lands End, and is now heading East rather than West. And she's making very good time! There's intermittent mobile phone reception, so news may be delayed.

Don't look down!

2008-07-07T14:13:00.002+01:00

St Ives to Zennor

2008-07-07T13:08:00.003+01:00

Yesterday:
The 6 mile walk from St Ives to Zennor is classified severe, but only because you have to watch your step as you walk through the boulder fields. Arrived at the Tinners Arms at 1.30 just before a rain storm and settled in for the afternoon drinking mermaid ale brewed in Rock near Padstow.

Fernleigh

2008-07-06T16:27:00.003+01:00

Outside Mike and Lyns B&B Fernleigh in Hayle. They have been so friendly, helpful and sponsored me too :-)

You can find out more about them here, or you can contact them at the address below:

Fernleigh
26 Commercial Road
Hayle, Cornwall
TR27 4DG
01736 752166

Park and ride!

2008-07-05T10:50:00.003+01:00

Park and ride. Done by bus, boat and now by train. On train to st ives.

[Adam says]
The weather today is forecast to be terrible, and the section of the route beyond St Ives is very dangerous, so Lara's staying in the same place tonight. She's getting the train to St Ives and walking back to her B&B. Tomorrow she'll get the train back and start the hard bit.

4th of July

2008-07-04T14:24:00.002+01:00

Left Portreath at 9.30. Brushed teeth and washed a bit in toilets, but still stink.

10.50 - last sign said 8 miles to Hayle. Stopped to eat banana.

11.47 Godrevy Island lighthouse.

2pm Found a pub close to Hayle. I hate sand dunes! Got lost as I couldn't follow the poxy signposts with my hoot up and the rain beating down. Yesterday was heaven, today is hell.

I will have to get accommodation tonight as all my stuff is wet. Will feel better after food :)

17 miles and an early night

2008-07-04T10:26:00.002+01:00

Did a long but easy 17 miles, and stopped at 6 o'clock for the night near Portreath. A lovely location as you can see, but next to an MoD fence. No cameras, so hopefully be OK.

Drying out

2008-07-03T14:44:00.002+01:00

Drying my sleeping bag and bivi bag as I rest by an old mine. Sunny day and easy walking along contours. This is heaven!

Underground bunker

2008-07-03T13:45:00.003+01:00

An underground bunker before you reach St Agnes.

Left Holywell

2008-07-03T09:25:00.003+01:00

Left Holywell at 8am. Rained a few times overnight, so everything's a bit soggy!

Holywell Beach

2008-07-02T17:34:00.002+01:00

This is Holywell Beach. As you can see, lots of black clouds and there's an occassional downpour, but it's intermittent. I'll probably bivi in the sand dunes later.

Newquay

2008-07-02T15:52:00.002+01:00

Just walking through Newquay now (1:30). Feet ache, but no pain from blisters. Hurray!

A few days ago

2008-07-02T11:55:00.006+01:00

Here are some photos from a few days ago.

A small prize for anyone that can identify this butterfly.

A slate pinnacle in a quarried area near Treknow.

A cave on the coast path before Port Isaac.

Merope Rocks

2008-07-01T14:03:00.002+01:00

1.30pm Boat launcher thingy next to Merope rocks. Making good progress to treyaron yha as terrain fairly flat and easy going:-)

Multimedia message

2008-07-01T12:52:00.001+01:00

Lara nursing a large hangover over breakfast in Padstow as she prepares to get going again.

Multimedia message

2008-06-30T17:29:00.001+01:00

Cycling on the path by the River Camel with Adam.

Multimedia message

2008-06-29T15:28:00.001+01:00

sitting for a while in Padstow after a meal at the rick stein cafe

Note from Adam

2008-06-27T11:38:00.002+01:00

As I've managed to leave my phone at home today there won't be that much news from Lara... she's already found two stray dogs this morning and called the dog pound - but that's all I know!

I will be going to the West Country to visit this weekend - I've programmed my phone to send messages to this blog, so hopefully we'll keep updating!

I'm really looking forward to spending some time in Padstow and hopefully visiting one of Rick Stein's many many restaurants. Oh, and seeing Lara I suppose :)

Afternoon Update

2008-06-26T16:27:00.003+01:00

The pub at Crackington Haven was closed, so had to get something to eat from a cafe which had sold out of everything but cake. What a shame :)

Might not make Boscastle tonight as it's still more than 6 miles away. I have a cheese roll from another cafe to to eat later though.

Dizzard Point

2008-06-26T16:23:00.002+01:00

Looking at the path ahead from Dizzard Point, 128 metres above the sea. What it doesn't really show is that it drops down to a stream at sea level then climbs steeply to the same height the other side. Plus I had to battle the wind which kept blowing me off the path. I had to sit down several times as I couldn't stand upright it was so gusty.

Hills

2008-06-26T16:19:00.004+01:00

This was taken at millook. If the hill doesn't have a gradient of at least 20% then it is not a real hill, merely an incline.

Sea water swimming pool

2008-06-26T16:15:00.001+01:00

This is Bude's sea water swimming pool nestling against the rocks.

Blister Pic Update

2008-06-26T10:09:00.003+01:00

Just had breakfast and packed stuff up. Now it's off to Bocastle!

(As always, view at your own risk. Actually it's not too bad now!)

125 miles!

2008-06-26T10:02:00.003+01:00

I'm feeling quite chuffed with myself now that I have completed 125 miles from Minehead to Bude and can now start using map 2 of 6 from the Harvey SWCP series.

There have been highs and lows. The lows have been the painful blisters and the boring cycle path from Wrafton to Bideford (video coming soon). The highs have been the sunny weather, the lovely people I have met and the stunning scenery. This is definitely the hardest adventure I have embarked upon. As the saying goes: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger".

Bude Canal

2008-06-26T09:59:00.002+01:00

The canal in Bude was emptied of water recently as the lock gates were damaged by a storm. They had to drop sack loads of stones in by the bridge to prevent it from completely draining. Bude has a canal and a river running through it. The canal was built to carry sand inland.

Day Off!

2008-06-25T16:32:00.003+01:00

Having a lovely day off. Just had lunch and now sitting on the beach chilling. Blisters and socks are drying nicely in the sea breeze.

Blister update

2008-06-25T10:12:00.003+01:00

Peeled it and bathed it in TCP. I'm having a couple of nights in Bude, so that will be a day for it to heal.

[pic after the jump - not quite as gross as last time, but still...]

Climbers

2008-06-25T10:11:00.002+01:00

I heard some clinking over the edge of the cliffs and looked down to see two crazy guys climbing. They waved at me. I told them I thought they were crazy.

Big Hairy Caterpiller

2008-06-25T10:10:00.002+01:00

Writer's Hut

2008-06-25T10:08:00.003+01:00

This hut, set high on the cliff tops above Marshland Mouth, belonged to a writer called Ronald Duncan until his death in 1982 and now can be used as a shelter for walkers to admire the view..

Thanks Colin, Maggie and Oz

2008-06-24T15:08:00.004+01:00

A lovely couple Colin and Maggie and their dog Oz bought me lunch at the Bush Inn at Morwenstow. Now back on the path to Bude.

Trig Point!

2008-06-24T11:24:00.003+01:00

Trig point, 152 meters, near Exmansworthy Cliffs.

Sleeping with the Crows

2008-06-24T11:20:00.003+01:00

Bedding down next to two crows for the night on a path on the cliff tops.

Rock pools at Hartland Quay

2008-06-24T11:18:00.001+01:00

Things in the rock pool started eating my blister then fought over skin I peeled from one. Really cool.

Foot Update

2008-06-24T10:06:00.006+01:00

Especially for Nicky - The salt water is working as there's no infection, they're just sore still. I don't want to peel it yet as the next two days to Bude are the most difficult.

(Photos after the jump... not for the squeamish)

Hartland Point

2008-06-23T13:55:00.002+01:00

Had lunch at Hartland Point (lighthouse above). I've seen kestrel, fox, fighter plane and seals around this area! Moving on now.

Detour!

2008-06-23T11:28:00.002+01:00

I am really angry with myself as I wasted more than an hour's walking to accidentally visit Brownsham car park. Am back on the path now, and on my way!

Sand!

2008-06-22T15:41:00.003+01:00

Sat for a while at the beach to soak my feet which was lovely, but got sand in one of my many blisters. Tried to get it out in a rock pool, but it didn't work. Going on anyway - hope it will work itself out.

Infected feet

2008-06-22T11:11:00.002+01:00

I think the blisters on my feet are infected. Unfortunately its Sunday and I can't get to see a doctor. I started walking at 10am (an hour or so ago), and so far so good.

Appledore

2008-06-21T14:44:00.004+01:00

A couple of hours ago I stood a few hundred yards from Appledore. Unfortunately there was a river in the way, and my rucksack might have got soggy if I'd swum.

Now 10 miles later I'm here, and desperately searching for the pub that I saw from the other side of the river :)

Cycle paths and sore feet

2008-06-21T10:49:00.006+01:00

Today (Saturday) there's cycle paths and tarmac all the way to Appledore, where I'm hoping to spend the night. It's really hurting my feet :(

Friday at Barnstable

2008-06-21T10:32:00.003+01:00

No hills, so an easy walk on Friday to Barnstable. Then a pub dinner and accomodation.

Morte Point

2008-06-19T19:45:00.005+01:00

With a video to prove I was there and didn't cut the corner :)

Good day :)

2008-06-19T19:09:00.003+01:00

It is a lovely sunny day today. Here is a photo of my socks drying on my rucksack :)

Really missed being chained to my desk in a call centre! (Though I do miss all the lovely people there :) )

Lee Village and Bull Point

2008-06-19T18:34:00.005+01:00

Visited an amazing pub in Lee village called the Grampus Inn. The landlord let me sample several ales before I settled on a couple of halves of Serpentine and a spinach lasagne (above).

Left the pub at 4 and walked on to Bull Point lighthouse.

Editorial 1

2008-06-19T09:57:00.002+01:00

[written by Adam]
I spoke to Lara last night and apart from dampness, soreness, blisters and all her stuff falling apart she's doing fine!

I think that the horizontal hailstorm that she walked through was not the kind of weather she was expecting in June, however the storm's blown over this morning and the weather looks good. The forecast for the rest of the week - not so much. It's pretty much heavy rain all the way. Tonight's supposed to be clear though, so Lara intends to sleep out again this evening.

We also checked some of the statistics on the SWCP website. Over the last 2 days Lara's walked 35.1 miles (plus a bit - getting lost and walking to the start of the walk), and climbed 9783ft (that's 2982m for those of you under 30 - and Europeans). That's more than 2 ascents of Ben Nevis already - quite hilly really!

Finally - we know you're coming here from the stats, but you're unusually quiet. Please leave a comment to say hi to Lara - it doesn't have to relate to the post, we'd just love to hear from you :)

Night 2

2008-06-19T09:50:00.003+01:00

Made it to Combe Martin (via the above Ponies - aww). Had a veggie balti and got a B&B to dry out soggy things.

Sandy bay nearby..

Day 2

2008-06-18T15:47:00.003+01:00

2:30 just got lost, feet got wet and blisters have popped. Strap on bag broke :( Making very slow progress.

3.40 stopped for lunch.

Here's a picture of my pet beetle (left in situ). I met lots of his relatives today.

Breakfast and Lee Abbey

2008-06-18T13:13:00.002+01:00

Breakfast of cheese slice and carrot cake and tea. Yummy. Bought a sandwich for lunch and pushing on. Here's a pointless sign from Lee Abbey.

Onward to breakfast

2008-06-18T09:49:00.003+01:00

7am, moving on towards Lynmouth where hopefully I'll find breakfast.

Soggy Morning

2008-06-18T09:44:00.002+01:00

Everything was a little soggy this morning as it started raining at 4am.

First Night

2008-06-17T21:17:00.004+01:00

I've stopped for the night at 7pm in a place appropriately called Desolate on a lovely grassy knoll close to the cliffs.

Foxgloves

2008-06-17T11:22:00.003+01:00

Foxgloves line the path and it is so peaceful. Just the birds, bees, crickets and occasional sheep baaing.

At the start!

2008-06-17T10:11:00.001+01:00

At the start of the SWCP. Only 630 miles to go!

West Somerset Railway

2008-06-17T00:04:00.002+01:00

I have arrived at the start of my journey. I'm staying tonight at Minehead after travelling by steam train on the West Somerset Railway!

I'm looking forward to starting tomorrow, but I'm a little nervous about sleeping out tomorrow night.

Salcombe Pirate Raid, 21-22 June

2008-06-15T09:00:00.001+01:00

This looks soo cool, www.pirateraid.co.uk