To a Long Steep Hill

  Thursday 22 October   What to do? It was too late to go back as we were due for lunch with Becky at Cuckoo Down Farm. We considered stopping in Exeter to buy trainers, or borrowing boots from Becky.   Finally, Chris decides that her fashion boots which, luckily, she is wearing will have to stand in for the real ones.   And please don’t mention it at lunch.   Lunch at the farm is a happy occasion – it’s John’s birthday and we celebrate.   We have a short walk round the farm, where the camping ground is still open and booked through to the end of next week’s half term.   It’s also an opportunity to have a first look at Becky’s child care operation which has just opened.   There are three munchkins.   We say hello to Hetty, Harry and August. We are introduced to the lovely Ellie, who is one of two carers.   John and Becky have built a sweet house for them, but the idea is that they will spend most of their days out on the farm and...

                                                              Prologue     Boots – so useful when trekking, especially in October with a doubtful weather forecast.   So, where are Chris’s boots as we speed down the A303 for a final shot at the Southwest Coast Path before the winter?   Not in the car.   They have been left behind.   I take some responsibility for this.   In fact, that’s probably why I said:   “You have got your boots, haven’t you?”   No, she hasn’t.   Yesterday I pulled both our pairs of boots out of the cupboard and asked if she wanted me to dubbin them.   “No” she said. “They are fine”.   I kept mine out and put them in the car.   Fatefully, I put hers back.   Chris assumed that I had put them in t...