Blue skies, easy walk. The Cricket Inn in Beesands is a great place to stay -- not much to look at from outside, but nicely renovated inside, excellent food, and run by a jovial chap for whom the inn seems more like a lifestyle choice than a business. Many locals, pub atmosphere, and a pleasant bunch of Czechs waiting on the tables (once again, what are the Brits going to do if all these service workers from Eastern Europe up and leave???).
As for the hike, either the walk was easy, or we are getting fitter. 9:45 to 3:45, perhaps 45 mins for lunch, and everyone still seemed chipper and energetic on arrival. Dartmouth seems like a nice town... a little bigger than what we have seen so far, but a small town feel to it still. We'll spend three nights here... which will be nice: nomadic life has its attractions, but sometimes it is nice to not have to pack in the morning....
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Saturday, May 27, 2017
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Day 5, Thu May 25, Salcombe to Beesands
Sunny days are here again.... At times a stiff breeze, otherwise a perfect hiking day. Ferry across the river to start (tide running strongly out of the 65 square kilometer estuary), then a fairly rugged hike for the first 3/4, followed by a gentle finish to the day. Shorter than planned. Neat old hotel -- The Cricket Inn (we're staying a room called "Lords"), with colourful local characters and owner... and Czech staff: they're going to have immense problems in their restaurant and hotel industry post-Brexit!
Off to find my peeps and play some games :-).
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Off to find my peeps and play some games :-).
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Day 4, Wed May 24, Hope Cove to Salcombe
Grey skies while hiking, sun for the afternoon garden visit and outside evening dinner. The hike was advertised as being one of the most beautiful along the whole South West Coast Path... and although I'm not sure it would make the top 5%, it was lovely. Clifftop hiking punctuated by steep descents into and ascents out of painterly coombs. Wild cliffs and tors, with stunning views.
Salcombe is a bit of an odd blend of old-style fishing and sailing village with nouveau riche McMansions and brand stores and galleries... but beautiful nevertheless. Perhaps best viewed from afar.
Overbeck's Garden was less impressive than others I've visited... at least as measured by ideas for garden plants/trees/bushes/features gleaned. Still, nice to spend a couple of hours there having a late light lunch and wandering around the garden. Dinner was in the Crab Shed... or rather next to it on the water as the sun went down. B&B was correct.
People seem to be enjoying themselves... as they should! This has been near perfect so far :-).
Photos to follow.
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Salcombe is a bit of an odd blend of old-style fishing and sailing village with nouveau riche McMansions and brand stores and galleries... but beautiful nevertheless. Perhaps best viewed from afar.
Overbeck's Garden was less impressive than others I've visited... at least as measured by ideas for garden plants/trees/bushes/features gleaned. Still, nice to spend a couple of hours there having a late light lunch and wandering around the garden. Dinner was in the Crab Shed... or rather next to it on the water as the sun went down. B&B was correct.
People seem to be enjoying themselves... as they should! This has been near perfect so far :-).
Photos to follow.
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Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Day 3, Tue May 23, Bigbury on Sea to Hope Cove
No rain still... but light fog with pleasantly cool (for hiking) temperatures. Given yesterday's sunburns... perfectly acceptable.
Mel & Jan and Matt & Pam joined as planned and we had excellent fish & chips at Fryer Tuck's for dinner. Our B&B was very pleasant, although the 7:30AM breakfast time (due to the owner having to go off to work) was a little early for some of us.
Today's hike was a nice change -- we spent most of the time walking around the Avon estuary along the Avon Valley trail. The tide was out, so the first mile or so we walked on the sand, then through woods and fields with ever and anon views down into an intriguing landscape of mud- and sand-banks, pools, and the winding path of the river. Swans, ducks, egrets, and maybe a buzzard. Hike today was shorter than planned -- I'd say 5.5 instead of 6.5 hours... which made up for yesterday being an hour longer than expected :-).
Slightly dated small hotel tonight with slightly dated guests... but as long as some games are played, and the food is decent, I don't think there will be too many complaints.
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Mel & Jan and Matt & Pam joined as planned and we had excellent fish & chips at Fryer Tuck's for dinner. Our B&B was very pleasant, although the 7:30AM breakfast time (due to the owner having to go off to work) was a little early for some of us.
Today's hike was a nice change -- we spent most of the time walking around the Avon estuary along the Avon Valley trail. The tide was out, so the first mile or so we walked on the sand, then through woods and fields with ever and anon views down into an intriguing landscape of mud- and sand-banks, pools, and the winding path of the river. Swans, ducks, egrets, and maybe a buzzard. Hike today was shorter than planned -- I'd say 5.5 instead of 6.5 hours... which made up for yesterday being an hour longer than expected :-).
Slightly dated small hotel tonight with slightly dated guests... but as long as some games are played, and the food is decent, I don't think there will be too many complaints.
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Monday, May 22, 2017
Day 2, Mon May 22, Noss Mayo to Bigbury on Sea
Sunburns. We have sunburns. In England. In May. Despite wearing sunscreen. Either the ozone layer has suddenly disappeared, or the weather is really as good as it seems to be.
A beautiful hike as well as a beautiful day. 9:15 start, 4:15 finish, with about an hour break midday for a taxi ride around the Erme estuary and drinks in a 15thC pub. We haven't had lunch yet... those full English breakfasts are just too much (and too good). Dinner yesterday in The Ship Inn in Noss Mayo was fine (although not as good as tThe Greedy Goose the night before), and Worswell Barton Farmhouse and B&B, where we spent the night, was excellent.
Lots of ups and downs today, into and out of picturesque coves. Very few other people on the trails... maybe a dozen people outside of a few beach areas all day. I know it is Monday, and May, and the West Country is far from the world, but what is wrong with people that they don't go hiking along this beautiful coast more often? I'm finger-frozen (speechless, when typing).
Two new pairs of hikers are joining us this evening -- Matt & Pam, and Mel & Jan. Looking forward to them... and to tomorrow's hike!
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A beautiful hike as well as a beautiful day. 9:15 start, 4:15 finish, with about an hour break midday for a taxi ride around the Erme estuary and drinks in a 15thC pub. We haven't had lunch yet... those full English breakfasts are just too much (and too good). Dinner yesterday in The Ship Inn in Noss Mayo was fine (although not as good as tThe Greedy Goose the night before), and Worswell Barton Farmhouse and B&B, where we spent the night, was excellent.
Lots of ups and downs today, into and out of picturesque coves. Very few other people on the trails... maybe a dozen people outside of a few beach areas all day. I know it is Monday, and May, and the West Country is far from the world, but what is wrong with people that they don't go hiking along this beautiful coast more often? I'm finger-frozen (speechless, when typing).
Two new pairs of hikers are joining us this evening -- Matt & Pam, and Mel & Jan. Looking forward to them... and to tomorrow's hike!
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Sunday, May 21, 2017
Day 1, Sun May 21, Plymouth to Noss Mayo
Can you say, "Perfect hiking weather"? I know you can. GIve it a try. Sun and clouds, a light breeze, around 18-20C... perfect.
Excellent dinner last night in The Greedy Goose (and weren't we just). Solid breakfast at the Four Seasons Guesthouse this morning. No lunch :-).
We walked around the Hoe a little, looking at the various military memorials (Plymouth is a Navy town... always has been, probably always will be) before taking the Mountbatten ferry across the harbour entrance (to save a couple of hours city walking along the Plymouth waterfront). The hike was for the most part delightful... a fair number of ups and downs, some busier parts and some isolated stretches with just a few walkers (it's a fine Sunday, so there were quite a few people about at times), good looking coastline, and an improbably beautiful ria at the mouth of the River Yealm with a scattering of boats moored near the tiny fishing hamlets of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo.
Just a short day -- we didn't really push it, and hiked for 4.5 hours or so. Legs feel pleasantly and appropriately worked out, but not especially tired. We're staying at a working farm called Worswell Barton, old building, mod cons, comfy and lots of space. In an hour or so we'll walk down to Noss Mayo for an early dinner in the Ship Inn, before coming back for what will no doubt be an early night. RIght now Russ is snoozing and I suspect Rochelle is doing the same. Where are game players when you need them!?!
Photos follow.
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Excellent dinner last night in The Greedy Goose (and weren't we just). Solid breakfast at the Four Seasons Guesthouse this morning. No lunch :-).
We walked around the Hoe a little, looking at the various military memorials (Plymouth is a Navy town... always has been, probably always will be) before taking the Mountbatten ferry across the harbour entrance (to save a couple of hours city walking along the Plymouth waterfront). The hike was for the most part delightful... a fair number of ups and downs, some busier parts and some isolated stretches with just a few walkers (it's a fine Sunday, so there were quite a few people about at times), good looking coastline, and an improbably beautiful ria at the mouth of the River Yealm with a scattering of boats moored near the tiny fishing hamlets of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo.
Just a short day -- we didn't really push it, and hiked for 4.5 hours or so. Legs feel pleasantly and appropriately worked out, but not especially tired. We're staying at a working farm called Worswell Barton, old building, mod cons, comfy and lots of space. In an hour or so we'll walk down to Noss Mayo for an early dinner in the Ship Inn, before coming back for what will no doubt be an early night. RIght now Russ is snoozing and I suspect Rochelle is doing the same. Where are game players when you need them!?!
Photos follow.
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