To a Long Steep Hill

Holing up in the Bath Hotel last night was a good call.  It was good to cuddle up in a warm hotel bed as the rain beat down outside. As we got back into the car, parked next to the river Lyn we watched the roaring torrent which all the rains have created. I wonder if residents still think of the 1952 flood which buried the village with the loss of 34 lives. The stretch of coast path between Combe Martin and Ilfracombe is very different.  The high cliffs of the Somerset-Devon border have been left behind and we are in a new landscape of coves, caravans and boat moorings. It's a bit of a slog, frankly, with stretches where you have to walk along the main road. The rain has stopped but the wind!  In the exposed stretches it is exhausting, coming straight at us from the west. We were pretty knackered by the time we got to the top of Hillsborough, overlooking Ilfracombe Harbour.  The harbour at Ilfracombe We went into The Dolphin restaurant on the quay and had ...

So, we are off tomorrow on the second section of our South West Coast Path Walk - Lynmouth to Combe Martin. Weather forecast is for rain. And I have developed a knee problem.  My lovely physio Juls Mackie says I should be OK.  If you live in the Teddington area and you have aches and pains - you can find her at  http://www.tw1physiotherapy.com/index.php/juls-mackie/ She specialises in sports injuries.  Perfect for a wonky knee.  But just in case ....

Tiny, isn't it?  The picture is taken at The Byline/Curious Arts Festival which we attended 23-24 August and spent two nights in the tent.  We were at the festival because my choir (MJs Choirs) was performing. The weekend was very warm - but the nights were extremely chilly. It's a Ghost 3 ultra lightweight tent from Mountain Hardware.  The '3' is telling you that the tent is meant for three people.  Comfy for two at a stretch, but three?  Only sardines need apply.  Not cheap.  You won't get away with less than £400.  Not your average festival bivvy. But it is extraordinarily light. Oh and we've also bought lightweight sleeping bags.  Three seasons Helium 250 from Mountain Equipment.  £150 each. I know! SWCP tranche two is now booked for the weekend of 27 September. Setting out from Lynmouth.  We'll be on the path for three days.  First night in the Hunters Inn then two nights in the Ghost.

It's Cotignac in France We spent five delightful days as guests of the Harringtons.  A lot of time by the pool.  Weather very warm, thanks. Well it's no good trying to do the SWCP in August.  Everywhere booked up.  We'll be putting our boots back on in September.

Tea - from Porlock Back at Sparkhayes Camp Site we put up our tent and brew our tea.  It's really good and we notice that it's Porlock tea.  So eat your heart out PG tips and all the other national teas.  Miles Finest Teas are great.  And apparently they do coffee as well - in Porlock. Ah the tent. Brand new ultra lightweight ultra expensive but great.  Bought in the belief that maybe we might do real back packing at some stage. Maybe.  It goes up easy.  We did try it out on the sitting room carpet.  It's  a Ghost 3 from Mountain Hardwear. We would have had a great night's sleep if we hadn't slept with our heads at the feet end.  Also our sleeping bags turn out to be child-size. Luckily it was a warm night. And the air-beds are cumbersome.  Our camping is best described as 'work in progress'.   Forgot to take a picture of the tent. Everything being ship-shape, we head out for a beer at the Royal Oak and a su...

  Minehead to Porlock 8 Miles Logistics are everything when you are doing a walk in chunks.  We learnt that on the Thames path. Somerset and North Devon are even harder. Buses very sparse indeed. So - taxis are the lifeline.  The plan is to drive to our first overnight in Porlock.  Leave the car and take a taxi to Minehead. An early start from home in Hampton Hill gets us to Sparkhayes Campsite at Porlock in time to meet our taximan at 12.00. It's a bright red electric Nissan Leaf.  The first time we have ever been in a fully electric car. It goes like a rocket. Keith tells us he has only spent £300 on electricity compared with £3,000 if it had run on diesel.  Of course for long trips or more than two passengers he has another car - a diesel. It's not long after leaving the Minehead seafront before you hit the first of many steep climbs. Going up and up through woods I notice a prominently striped feather on the ground.  Without thinking I ...

Friday 26th July That's the monument which marks the start in Minehead of the Southwest Coast Path - and this is Mike and Chris about to set out. Our selfie seems to be back to front.  It's a minor detail when you are about to tackle a 630 mile trek.  Maybe pre-race nerves came into it. Are we doing it all in one go?  Don't be ridiculous.  It's going to be a case of long weekends and I reckon it'll take up to three years.  So best settle down for a long read. Are we camping? er  yes sort of.  Our tent is being shifted by the lovely people at luggagetransfers.com.  And there will be hotels.  Oh yes.  Starting with The Rising Sun at Lynmouth.  But first - camping at Porlock.