7am: I’ve been watching the weather since yesterday afternoon. There’s a Yellow Flag warning for my area with possibility of severe thunderstorms and localized torrential rain. My first section is rated strenuous with several very steep, grassy climbs and cliff edge walking, an estimated duration of 4+ hrs, and no villages/services en route. Based on my last experience walking during a gale I’ve decided to be prudent and take the bus over those 6 miles, then try the next 9 miles which are more urban with a train running alongside (= escape route).

As it turned out the rain held off for my whole walk all the way to the ferry dock at Starcross to cross the River Exe. Not 5 minutes after boarding it started to rain in earnest so I inadvertently timed the walk extremely well. The walk itself was fair – 99% hard surfaces which is wearying and not a lot to look at. My BnB is just yards from the ferry dock so after a long lunch I’ll pick up a picnic dinner and stay indoors, warm and cozy, for the rest of the night.