By: Mike

 

Monday 10th June

We failed to get a taxi to take us to the Erme estuary.  Rather than just take a day off, we decide to simply walkout of the door and do the final section into Salcombe – backwards.  We bought water and chocolate at the deli opposite. Heading towards North Sands beach, we pass an old man cutting his hedge and sweeping up the clippings.  He tells us he is over 90.

“I have worked all my life and I can’t sit and watch someone else doing the job. I’d rather do it myself.

The North Sands beach is shut for yet another film crew. They try to stop us, but we just say “sorry we are in a hurry” and plough right through.  'Just a minute’ in filming terms can turn into half an hour!

                                                        Salcombe Harbour looking back

It’s glorious weather and after leaving Salcombe, the path is quite rocky.  Spring flowers may be finished, but foxgloves have taken over.  They are everywhere.

                                                           Foxgloves are everywhere

We stop for lunch at Soar Mills Cove, a beautiful spot, but a steep climb out.

We get to Hope Cove at 15.30.  There is confusion about whether we are at Inner or Outer – where the bus stops. 

Eventually it turns out that Chris is confusing Hope Cove with Lulworth Cove.  We flop into The Hope and Anchor for a cup of tea.  It’s a long wait for the 18.20 bus out and I get a pint.  The bar maid gives helpful advice about where the bus stop is.  When we reach the spot, there is no sign of a bus stop.  We anxiously lurk in the general area and wave the bus down when it appears.

“We weren’t sure we were in the right place”, we tell the driver.

“No, well there isn’t a stop as such” he replies.  “We pick up anywhere along here”.

There is only one other passenger, and it looks as if the Hope Cove service is going to follow other Devon routes into oblivion. We have to get out in a few minutes to change at Marlborough for the Salcombe bus.  There’s a heart-stopping moment as the bus appears and dives down a side road.  We try and dash after it and then realise it’s coming back, so like headless chickens, we run back to the bus stop. “You gave us a fright there”, we tell the driver.  “I was just dropping off an old lady” he says.  Doesn’t happen on the R70!  We are in Salcombe in good time to go to The Victoria for supper – booked!


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