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

Not a big day today. Once again my distance was predicated by finding reasonable accommodation and also tying in some sightseeing. First up was returning to the Path from my inland pub stay. At just before 9am the Erme was almost at high tide - a stark difference from yesterday! Then 5 miles of roller … Continue reading SWCP Day 52: Kingston > Thurlestone

I’m hiking “forward” once again. Yesterday was Wembury back to Plymouth so today should be Wembury >. However a lack of morning ferries from Wembury had me starting from Noss Mayo, just on the other side of the River Yealm. I have a schedule to keep as there’s a tide-restricted wet crossing of the River … Continue reading SWCP Day 51: Noss Mayo > Kingston

I have a 2nd night in Plymouth so I did another reverse walk: bused forward to Wembury and took the Path back to Plymouth. A very misty and cold start at around 9:30am, but gradually getting better after noon. A short, easy day so just pictures…. Can you read this? Hint: Minehead 424 miles Cool … Continue reading SWCP Day 50: Wembury > Plymouth