Woolacombe to Saunton Sands

By: Mike

Woolacombe Beach without dogs
Monday 13 July

This day didn't start well at all - and yet again Doris the skittish satnav started it.  We decided that the thing to do today was to drive to Croyde, park the car and taxi back to Woolacombe to start walking.  Doris decided on one of her short cuts down impossibly narrow lanes.  This might have been OK but unfortunately approaching Croyde we ran into 'road closed'.  After much jigging about we saw the beach below.  
"It's Woolacombe!", says Chris.
"Don't be silly" I reply.

But she is right.  My nerves are in shreds from the lanes and diversions, and this feels like the final straw.
Chris says "It's not really a problem.  We just park up here and start from Woolacombe. 

So we did.  And look at the beach!  Yesterday it was packed with dogs and people.  There's been a change in the weather and now - completely deserted.  

We set off merrily across the sands.  I'm wearing er.. brogues.  It's lucky I brought them after my boots melt down.  And my knee feels fine.  We are soon at the quiet end of the sands.  No longer Woolacombe.  Here known as Putsborough Beach, and named by The Sunday Times as one of the 50 best beaches in one of their interminable lists.

We are soon up off the beach and striding out along the finger of land to Baggy Point.  It's easy walking and we encounter lots of families driven off the beaches by the cooler weather.  With their dogs, obviously.
                                                Chris on the path to Baggy Point

I fall into conversation with a worker for the National Trust who own this bit of the coast. He is picking up litter and I compliment him on the condition of the path.  He says they pick litter twice a week during the season.  
"Baggy Point isn't too bad, he says, "We also do the dunes above Woolacombe Beach.  That's horrendous.  Cans, bottles and pizza boxes everywhere."

Soon we are down on Croyde Beach.  It's lunch time, and we are glad we didn't leave the car here, because we feel well able to press on a bit further.  We get coffee and squat on the sand to eat our picnic.  It starts to rain.  A low point.  Nothing daunted, we eat up and continue across the beach to finish up at the Saunton Sands Hotel.  It is closed to non-residents because of the virus.  We call a taxi and head back to Woolacombe. (£18) Our lady taxi driver has encased her driving position in a plastic box.  I ask her if she had business during the lock down. "Nothing, really.  Just a few trips to the hospital in Exeter."

The kitchen at The Crown is closed again on Mondays.  We have pre-booked a restaurant in Braunton called SQ.  It is quite busy.  The staff are great, all wearing these transparent visors..  They have only been open a few days.  I have a prawn starter followed by liver and bacon.  We order a glass of white wine each.  The bill comes to £45.

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