Day 5 Saturday 17th June 2017.
This one again took a bit of planning.
So we woke up at 0630hrs left home by 0730hrs and drove to Seaton, so Linda could complete her 38th Park Run. With a 13 mile walk coming up after I personally think that it is crazy to compete in a 5K run, but this is one indication on how different Linda and I are.
Linda did well and was the 15th Lady to finish. I was told as of course I did not enter, the first part was the worst as they had to start running on the beach which was pebbles. To me any run would be like I was running on Pebbles and with blockage in my windpipe and a Boa Constrictor around my chest.
So as I sat in Tesco with my paper and Americano with an extra shot of coffee, (before I get accused of drinking at 0900hrs). Contemplating the next step of our planned route.
We left Seaton at 0950hrs and headed of for Sidmouth. I found a Long Stay car park for £6 all day and it was not a long walk to the Bus Stop that we needed to catch to get to Exmouth.
The Bus cost of £10.50 and was painfully slow, not in a movement type of way, just in all the extra villages it needed to stop in. Eventually at 1150hrs we reached the centre of Exmouth.
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| On the Bus |
Exmouth town centre was busy and we headed for the Pavilion which was the official start of the walk. The sea side was bustling with people enjoying the sun and the beach.
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| Exmouth |
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| Looking back at Exmouth |
Now we made quite good pace at this point but not only was we fresh it was also flat and on solid paths. Eventually it lead us up hill to some lovely views.
We next came across the Geoneedle obelisk at Orcombe Point, which celebrates the twists and turns of history of our planet. Especially involving the Jurassic Coast line between Exmouth and Studland in Dorset. This started a discussion which caused Linda to come up with her best line on this hike. "They only started calling this area the Jurassic Coastline since the film, Jurassic Park".
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| The Geoneedle |
Walking on we soon hit Sandy Bay which was again popular and was our 1st potential pit stop (Pub).
Now this was only about 3 miles into the walk and knowing we had plenty of more opportunities and it was early in the walk, I was in too minds as to stop or not.
So as we approached Sandy Beach Cafe, which was also a bar, with the sun beaming down, Linda and I was tempted. Then Linda pointed out that they were only serving drinks in plastic glasses. That was enough for me to tell me they do not deserve our custom, so we walked on by, without a second thought.
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| Approaching Sandy Bay |
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| Sandy Bar Military Shooting Range |
As you can see from the map at the beginning of this blog we cut off a small corner of the walk, still sticking to the official SW Coastal Path, it was just out of bounds being a Military Firing Range. (Above). It did however take me back to firing every 2 to 3 months whilst serving in the RAF. Linda stated she would of liked to experienced it. To be honest, I hated it, it was always on your day off, it was rarely good weather and sometimes you would have to don respirators (like gas masks for those whom have not served), run a distance dive down, fire off so many rounds and score a certain amount. Whilst lying in pools of mud, snow, Ice and or Sheep manure. Yeah lovely memories...
A few photos below of the magnificent coastline especially where the red mud from the cliffs bleed into the sea.
Eventually we reached Budleigh Salterton, now revision on this route I knew this was roughly half way, but I did know that where the 1st half was considered a Moderate graded walk the 2nd half was Moderate to Strenuous. As it was a nice seaside town I thought it would be time to have our 1st stop and sample a local pub.
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| Approaching Budleigh Salterton |
So walking in, I was getting excited by the thought of locating a quaint local bar, but we reached the seafront and nothing. So as much as it pained me to do, we came off route and headed slightly inland to the town centre. Luckily we found a pub called "The Salterton Arms" I had a pint of Doombar and Linda an Extra cold Lager. The heat was now up to 26 Degrees and with little breeze felt a lot hotter. The Landlady kindly refreshed our water bottles and we headed off for the 2nd part of the walk.
However, Linda had spotted an Ice Cream store and we both cooled down with that as well.
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| 1st sip and half gone, it was a hot day. |
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| Linda taking a sneaky bite of my Ice Cream |
As we left Budleigh Salterton we came up to the mouth of the River Otter, but this meant the walk took us inland following the bank of the river. To a Bridge then back along the other side back to the sea. I cannot recall why but in strange way I think this was my favourite stretch, I think it was because it was just different.
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| Mouth of the River Otter |
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| Even the Otter was pretty dry. |
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| A local Cricket match |
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| Bridge to cross the Otter |
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| Looking back at Budleigh Salterton |
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| I so wanted to be in this as the heat was getting to me. |
From here was a long stretch to Ladram Bay Holiday Park, The heat was pounding my feet were boiling and sore. The dusty path seemed to be never ending. We took on as much water as possible and even the water in the water bottle was near boiling point.
At Ladram Bay Holiday park we came across the Pebbles Bar, but believe it or not, we decided not to have an alcoholic pint for a few reasons.
1. We were dehydrated from the sun so alcohol probably not the best option.
2. In the photo above shows the last leg of our walk leading down into Sidmouth but we could see Peak Hill approaching and it was ominous. Especially when the barmaid basically said we were crazy and she would get a taxi, if she was us.
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| View from Pebbles Bar |
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| Looked a great place for a bar |
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| Peak Hill..... |
So we began the ascent.
Initially I thought this was not to bad and in fact it looked worse than it was, but with the heat pounding down on us, I began to wane. Linda of course was flying and could not understand my lack of enthusiasm and energy.
Half way up we met this fella below who did not seemed phased by us at all.
But that was enough of befriending the local wildlife, Peak Hill awaited.
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| From half way up Peak Hill looking at Ladram Bay Holiday Park |
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| Climbing |
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| Climbing some more |
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| Climbing again |
Eventually we got to the top and although this was tough, it was tough mainly due to the heat, we climbed worse on the north Cornwall routes.
At the top we were given an obstacle as if walking wasn't hard enough.
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| Top of Peak hill and we had to crawl under this! |
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| The other side feeling battered from crawling under the fallen tree. |
Eventually after a few hidden hills, we could descend in to Sidmouth.
I was hanging, Linda stating she could do another 5 miles. I couldn't care, I knew the car was this side of Sidmouth and all I could do was to keep walking. Nearly everything on my body was aching, sweating and generally Pi**ed off with me.
With no intention of trying to find a pub not only because of the pain I was in, we were also aware that neither of us smelt particularly good and it would be unfair to other customers to have us near them.
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| Approaching Sidmouth |
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| Reaching Sidmouth |
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| Clock tower indicated the end of this walk. |
So wearily we got into the car and headed home. Within 5 miles we found some gourmet food to help us.
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| Required Sustenance |
A day later I have written this, still aching still sore with a monster headache. Not convinced walking any hotter than 24 Degrees is a good idea.
Until the next instalment.
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