13th - 15th July (nf)

13th July day 494

That morning i climbed off the sofa and gathered my kit together, my tent was mostly dry now. I took out the broken spray deck brace to examine it more closely. There had to be a way of fixing it a few thoughts entered my head. A bolt wedged between the two then duct taped seemed the most feasible fix. I made myself breakfast and waited for chris the mechanic to arrive.

Handing the brace over i gave chris the brace suggesting my possible fix. He took the brace away and disappeared into his workshop while I finished getting my kit stowed and ready to set off. When chris returned he was holding the brace at both ends. He hadn't found a bolt to use but a drill bit did just as good a job. After inserting the bit chris had used resin to secure the two halves together. I'd have to wait another half hour for the resin to set before setting off on the trek once more.

I didn't know it at the time but i had a pleasant surprise ahead of me. Chris and i left the boathouse together and we headed down to the pontoon where i was planning to launch hoolley for her morning crossing. When we arrived there i was introduced to stevie smith.

Stevie smith was part of a two man crew who wanted to circumnavigate the world under their own power. Stevie made it to hawai but his friend continued on to complete the challenge. It was anticipated the journey would take three years but in fact took 13. Stevies idea had been one of the inpirations for me to look into using a pack raft to aid my attempt around Britain and it was an honour to accept his offer of a lift on his ferry to cross the river.

I was soon back following the acorns and of course following the coastal path. The trail wasn't too challenging and I began to think that maybe now i was over the worst of it. My sun burnt stomach though was itching like crazy, especially my chest. It was driving me crazy. So much so that i decided to stop, i threw my pack to the ground and removed my tshirt. Somehow i thought that allowing the cool breeze brush across my bare reddened skin would help. It did to a degree but still i itched. I put my pack back on and continued to follow the path.

It wasn't exactly a hot day but i still sweated with every step i took. The trail wound its way along the coastline following the cliffs as closely as it dare. Ahead I'd soon be passing start point. It wasn't my start point although as i got closer i began wishing it had been.  I still had a few hundred miles yet to cover before I'd arrive back at my start point.

Start point is a headland that houses a solitary lighthouse, no longer manned, none of them were these days. Automation had once again added another soul to the dole queues. Lighthouses were now often rented to the wealthy for holiday homes or had been turned into remote hotels with spectacular views.

Wild strawberries couple looked at me oddly

Torcross lake one side of a long sand bank and the sea on the other side.

The stretch of sand was used during the war to practice the D day landings.

Arriving at the top of the hill at Strete i was convinced it would all be downhill to Blackpool, a slightly smaller Blackpool than I'd previously visited. Gradually the path did descend and i was able to see the gorgeous beach i would call home ahead. Turning slightly to run parallel to the coast below the path appeared to disappear.

I stopped and burst out laughing "you've got to be Fucking kidding me! " a shout out above me laughter. Ahead the path plummeted out of sight and before me on the far side of the valley a very steep climb back to the top. My laughter turned to chuckles as i began the descent to the valley floor. The gradient got steeper and steeper then the ground slipped from beneath me, or had my boots lost the will and simply let go, either way i ended up on my backside. Again i screamed with laughter. I was near breaking point, physically and mentally. Bursting into song joining in with the song that was playing on my mp3 player, although i expect slightly out of tune. Somehow it seemed the natural thing to do, "Way Up high or down low, I'll go wherever you will go".

Once at the bottom i began the climb back up. I'd obviously not climbed enough everests yet.

Blackpool sands turned out to be a private beach which meant no camping. I had no choice but to keep going til i found somewhere quiet and secluded to make camp.

The evening meal was to be golden vegetable rice with chopped peperami I'd been given by a family I'd met hiking the coastal path earlier during the day.

14th July day 495

Drawing back the doorway to my little home and peering out the sun was shining and it looked though it might be a good day for walking. I was heading for Dartmouth for hoolleys next crossing and i hoped to get near to Torquay by nightfall.

Met Dartmouth rnli volunteers at newly opened shop

Crossed the dart via ferry due to poor weather and high traffic it was only £1.50

Met up with merlin and alison. I'd met merlins dad on my first day of hiking round Anglesey but he'd never mentioned it to merlin.

Had dinner and drank drams of whiskey from jura and isla.

15th July day 496

Feeling mortal i woke around 9:30. It may have been later. I joined merlin out front for breakfast and some much needed coffee.

Rain in the morning

A hard 10 miles

Sun came out as i approached Brixham

Got lost in woods in the dark

Camped martincoombe