It was a big day today. Accommodation once again forced me to plan a stage longer than I can actually do (18 miles) so I used the bus in the middle to cut a few miles out. Since I’ve been waking up at 5a it was no problem having an early start. Out through town … Continue reading SWCP Day 62: Seaton > West Bay

Today I started walking at the outrageously late time of 12:22pm! The reason? I had to see a dentist first (abscess, it’s always something with me) and then get the ‘script filled. This was in Seaton, today’s destination, so I walked backwards to Sidmouth. “No Time For Mints!” was my mantra today. The phrase dates … Continue reading SWCP Day 61: Sidmouth > Seaton

Less than a week to go now! And no rain forecast for at least 4 days so things are looking good. Good walk today. Not a lot of views as the Path management kept us well back from the cliff edges as there’s a lot of erosion in this area. Being a Sunday there were … Continue reading SWCP Day 60: Exmouth > Sidmouth

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 … Continue reading SWCP Day 59: Babbacombe > Exmouth

My hotel didn’t offer breakfast until 8:30am so instant coffee and oatmeal in my room would have to do and I set out at 7:45am. I exited Brixham along the water’s edge which led into trees before reaching ancient woodlands (so said the sign). Surprising to find such nature right on the town’s doorstep, it … Continue reading SWCP Day 58: Brixham – Babbacombe

Whew, I needed this rest day. It’s been 2 weeks since my last and my legs and joints are protesting just a wee bit. I’m glad I switched plans with yesterday though as I’d rather be a tourist in the rain than a soggy hiker! And it was raining when I started out this morning … Continue reading SWCP Day 57: Dartmouth / Brixham

“Dramatic, steeply undulating landscape” and a Strenuous grading with over 3000’ of ascent. This was my guide’s description of today’s stage and not one I wanted to do in the rain. So I pushed back my Rest Day until tomorrow and did the walk today. There was a brief spell of rain just before I … Continue reading SWCP Day 56: Dartmouth > Brixham

Grey and drizzling.  That was the morning’s forecast, drying up after 11a. With high hopes I took the 9:30a bus out of Dartmouth to the near end of Torcross beach and started out with fingers crossed it wouldn’t be miserable. Looking back at Torcross Much of the first half of the stage the path shadowed … Continue reading SWCP Day 55: Torcross > Dartmouth

Another brilliant day! Weather was absolutely perfect - sunny with a cool tempering breeze. The day started with me rushing to catch the 9am ferry (I wasn’t worried about it until I realized I could make it if I tried). Jogging with a backpack is a clumsy endeavor! Bye, bye Salcombe! Once on the eastern … Continue reading SWCP Day 54: Salcombe > Torcross

Twas a bright and sunny morning, a nice change from the misty, humid starts of the previous few days. It was an easy pedestrian path to Hope Cove then a bit of woods before the exposed fields around Bolt Tail (! ❤️ the names). According to the sign there’s remains of an Iron Age fort … Continue reading SWCP Day 53: Thurlestone > Salcombe