Day 109: Ilfracombe to Saunton

Last night we had a fantastic meal prepared by Andrew and Amanda and were joined by their friend Meryl. We had long discussions about what I’m doing, how I’m feeling etc. We laughed, saying it was like an interrogation.

It was an early start this morning as Amanda kindly dropped me off back at the car park where I finished yesterday. Amanda was off for an early morning dip in the sea, which apparently she does every morning. Big respect. I can’t believe I’m meeting so many people that do this.

I put my muddy boots and gaiters on once I got out of Amanda’s car. I met a couple of ladies walking their dogs one of which look like Poppy so of course I had to stop and chat. Then I made my way to the harbour to see the statue of Verity up close. Created by Damien Hirst she’s over 20 m tall and stands at the mouth of the harbour. That’s also where I did my Instagram story this morning.

So I was a little later getting started onto the coast path proper. The way to the path was initially marked by footprints in the pavement.

The scenery was beautiful but challenging at times.

The sun even came out for a while, illuminating the rocks of the cliffs making them more dramatic.

Amanda, Andrew, Meryl and Smiff joined me at Mortehoe and walked with me for the rest of the afternoon.

After 5 hours on my feet I was desperate to sit down and have a cuppa and something to eat. We stopped at the Porthole cafe by Woolacombe beach, which is massive by the way, and had some wonderful food. Poor Smiff was on a state of high alert the entire time we were eating.

We set off again me on the coast path and the plan was for Amanda, Andrew and Meryl to go to Meryl’s cart and then drive back to the start point to collect Andrew’s car. Just at the point we would divert paths disaster struck. Meryl was searching for her car keys. Every pocket checked, bag checked. No keys! Then she remembered she had put them down in Andrew’s car! Oops!

Well there were two options. Walk back to the cafe and call a cab or walk back to the start point and get Andrew’s car and get the keys from there. No taxi available so walking was the option.

Amanda, Smiff and myself carried on to Saunton. Round Baggy Point across a very windy beach at Croyde Bay and past the house made famous by Grand Designs. It’s on the market at a snip of £10 million.

Finally Andrew collected us from Saunton and took us back to base.

We caught up with Fiona and then I had another shower, wow, two in two days! Andrew made dinner and we did a Tracey’s Trek support crew debrief before checking tomorrow’s route and logistics.