To a Long Steep Hill

  T o walk, or not to walk, that is.... Walking achieves our objective of getting into Cornwall – Hartland Quay to Morwenstow.   However, the forecast, though better is still iffy.   In the end, we decide that the combination of strong winds, slippery surfaces, a path which follows the cliff edge followed by driving back in the dark is just too much. We check out and hit the road for home. £149.60 b & b dinner.(£90.00 deposit already paid). Was this our finest hour?   Probably not.   Did we enjoy the weekend?   Absolutely.

                                                          Stormy seas at Crooklets Beach, Bude When we chose this weekend for our final lunge at SWCP,    The long range forecast was not too bad.   Light breeze and an occasional shower.   With their super-computers based not a million miles away in Exeter the Met Office still can’t get it right more than a few days ahead.   Within 24 hours, however, they are pin point accurate these days. They are now forecasting a good old-fashioned storm.   We have definitely made the right decision on walking today.   Instead, we drive over to Bude and mooch about in the rain.   The town is packed with traffic and the rain beats down.   We park up at Sainsbury’s and walk down to Crooklets Beach. ...

                                                                  The lighthouse at Hartland Point But first, we have to face the 10 ¼ miles from Clovelly back to Hartland Quay.   The weather is blustery and rain threatens.   The stiff breeze is in our faces, and there are at least four steep coombes to navigate. Our taxi from Number Six in Bideford is right on time.   We’ve checked out the previous evening so we are good to go at 08.45. £110 for b & b, £42.45 for dinner and drinks. Our driver is a familiar face.   She picked us up from the RHS Gardens at Rosemore last time.   At Clovelly, I make a stupid mistake.   I miss the trailhead and we go charging down a steep road, only to trudge all the way back up.   I kick mysel...