Day 5: Mortehoe to Croyde

The weather forecast was not good for today with winds of up to 50mph predicted. The temperature had also dropped so an extra layer of waterproofs was needed. We had an early breakfast so we could be on our way by 8am and hopefully miss the worse of the weather.

Once we were back on the path we were sheltered by the high hedges.

We then needed to cross a couple of fields.

This field was full of frisky bullocks. We were all very nervous about crossing the field but I was petrified. The previous evening we had been talking about my fear of cows to some friends of Steve's who are dairy farmers. They live near by and had joined us for the evening. Ron told me I was quite right to be wary as he had been injured by one of his own cows without any warning.



With Ron's words ringing in our ears, it took us some time to get passed this herd! We tried to keep to the edge of the field but the cows just wanted to follow! I breathed a huge sigh of relief once we were in the next field.

We then had to walk through a static caravan site.  Didn't see that many people around but then it was still raining and very windy.

Once through the caravan site we had views of the sea again. Fortunately we would not be walking on the edge of the cliffs today.

We followed the path into the town of Woolacombe, a 20th century holiday resort with a fantastic sandy beach.

The town is popular with families and surfers.

I thought I had walked in a straight line but the wind was blowing me off course.

The beach was deserted.

As the tide was out we decided to walk along the 3 mile sandy beach instead of the path which follows the coastline above the beach.

The rain had stopped but the wind hadn't. I tried to capture the swirling sand around these rocks.

You can see how the wind is whipping up the spray.

Luckily we were all wearing boots so didn't get our feet wet crossing this stream on its way down to the sea.

We climbed up off the beach and had a lovely view back towards Woolacombe.

Steve was ready for a sit down but it was too exposed and too windy. From here we had to walk up and round the Baggy Point peninsula.

The wind was howling and living up to the weather predictions. We stayed together as a group just in case someone was blown over by the wind. Fighting against the wind, my eyes and nose were streaming and I couldn't see as much as I would have liked.

Above Baggy Point is this pole. We had no idea what it was so I needed to do a bit of research and found this explanation on the North Devon National Trust facebook page:
The Coastguard Pole on Baggy Point (which we are currently replacing) was an important tool for training coastguards. It was designed to mimic the mast of a foundering ship. Coastguards would fire rope at the mast, and then rig up a breeches buoy - a life saver ring on a pulley system like a zip wire. Stricken sailors would then climb into the ring and be pulled from the ship over the water and onto dry land by the coastguards. It was a tricky job, hence the need to practise on Baggy Point's Coastguard Pole.

Come back Jim!

The path continues right to the edge but we decided not to bother.

Once round Baggy Point we could see Croyde beach in the distance where our walk will end today.

Time to find somewhere to have lunch.

We found this very sheltered spot out of the wind.

Good job this notice was here as I would never have guessed what this was supposed to be.

We walked a bit further round the coast and then moved away on to a quiet road.

The road took us into Croyde where we were staying the night.

Interesting vehicle parked by the side of the road.

Tonight we were splitting up. Tina and myself  were in a bed and breakfast whilst the boys had rooms in a pub. Neither place could accommodate all of us.

We met up in the pub in the evening for a meal and I think Tina and I decided we had the better deal as the boys didn't have ensuite rooms.

Day 4: Ilfracombe to Mortehoe

Each morning Paul and I take a timed group photo. He uses his phone whilst I use a camera. Everyone is very patient as we balance our cameras and rush back to the group for the photo. However, this morning there was almost a disaster as I knocked Paul's stick which knocked his phone off the wall onto a metal grid. Luckily it didn't break or fall through the grid into the drain and he's still smiling in the photo!

We were too tired to go and explore the town last night and as the hotel is close to the path we won't see any of it today except these strange conical shapes of the Landmark theatre. The taxi driver told us they are locally known as Madonna's bra.

We soon found the acorn sign and were back on the South West Coast Path, We then began a steep climb up onto the cliffs. We were all tired from the day before and found climbing again difficult.

Ilfracombe developed as a big sea side town in the 19th century,  with steamships coming into the harbour and a railway, which sadly no longer exists.

We continued the climb up to the viewpoint at the top.

At the top is this toposcope which shows some of the notable landscape features and wildlife that can be seen from here.

The view over Ilfracombe.

We then descended from the top into the first mud we had come across.

Had to negotiate our way around the cows which, as you know, I am not happy in their presence.

At least the path was flat for a while.

The path led onto a road down to Lee Bay.

Paul and Tim enjoying a laugh together.

Once again we had to climb up onto the  top of the cliff. From then on we went up and down and up and down.

We had a clear view of the path snaking its way up to the next cliff.

But before the climb came the descent to sea level.

This is the light house at Bull Point.

The rocks in front of the lighthouse.

A last look at the sea before moving inland for the rest of today's walk.

We  left the path at the lighthouse and walked along the road into the village of Mortehoe.

Here was the reason, a cafe that served cream teas.

A treat courtesy of Jim. A Devon cream tea is the best. Two large scones, homemade strawberry jam and clotted cream with a cup of tea. What could be better! We couldn't stay there all afternoon though, we still had a couple of miles to walk to get to our hotel for the night

The last walk of the day was boring as it was just along the a road.

The Fortescue was a pub/hotel where we were staying for the night. The best part of staying here was the carvery that they served on a Sunday with its choice of four different meats and ten different vegetable choices. The weather had changed. It most much colder and had started to rain as we arrived. At least we didn't have to go out again that evening.