TraceysTrek

It had been raining incessantly all night and was still raining when I woke up this morning. It’s not a particularly enticing situation to consider getting wrapped up and going outside in the pouring rain for a full day walking.

I opted to walk the mile on the road to Porlock Weir whereas the official path went through the marshes and I didn’t fancy wet feet that early on during the day.

I was delighted when I found that the toilets at Porlock Weir were open and so I availed myself up the facilities. It’s the little things that mean so much. My life has been reduced to the most basic of requirements!

I enjoyed looking at the signs of spring which are sprouting up everywhere.

I met a group of ladies, Lucy, Claire, Sheena and Helen who were staying in the cottage by the marina. They kindly gave some donations and wished me well on my journey.

My heel is still sore today and it wasn’t helped by walking over the beach which comprised very large pebbles.

I was soon up into the woodland which was to feature for most of the day. The path has only recently reopened following landslides and fallen trees due to storm damage.

I didn’t expect to see anyone today, however I saw a couple of young guys who had been camping. Respect to them in this weather.

I also saw a group of young teenagers and their instructors. I thought they would be on Duke of Edinburgh awards but they were training for the ten tor challenge. The teenagers were too engrossed in their own chatter to notice me or respond to my good morning, but I had a quick chat to their instructors who were suitably impressed by my challenge.

Thankfully the weather improved as the day went on. I was soaked in the morning but got too hot with all my waterproofs on. So I had to strip off my fleece, hat and neck scarf. Then the wind picked up and I was cold again. Then wet with a mixture of rain, sweating and condensation between layers!

I passed Sisters Fountain which is a natural spring.

The walking was slow due to my sore heel, the terrain and the elevation of 2,700 feet. I wasn’t really feeling it today.

I did see some frog spawn which I almost stepped on while crossing a stream!

There were more examples of the violence of the storms.

Finally I left the woodland behind and was onto the open headland. The sun even made a short appearance. Then it was a very long drag to Lynmouth.

I met Fiona and had a pint of lager shandy before we tried out the railway up to Lynton at the top of the cliff.

It was a short but pleasant journey and today was worth the £3.50. Those Victorians were clever and built things to last.

Then I was off again to the Valley of Rocks which although the weather wasn’t the same or the scale it did somehow remind me of our trip to the Grand Canyon! Perhaps I am delusional.

Back to Priscilla and as I was a bit cold and jumped into bed. I snoozed for a while but my legs were twitching. Obviously they wanted to keep walking!

Fiona looked with horror at my route for tomorrow! It includes the highest cliffs in England! which also means lots of ascents and descents and walking along and traversing the cliff tops.

Best bits: pint of lager shandy and the railway trip

Worst bits: sore heel, tough terrain

Distance: 15.2 miles