10. Leg 3  - SW Coastal Path 10: Barnstaple to Westward Ho!

31 May 2018

We drove again to Barnstaple and this time walked on the southern bank of the River Taw. We had originally planned to do this walk in 2 parts but ended up walking 32.7 km with a break at Instow for lunch! The first section followed the Tarka trail and was popular with walkers and cyclists. Towards Instow we broke away from the crowds as the route took us around a more rugged headland with more abandoned boats! We had a tasty pub lunch and a beer in Instow before heading up to the crossing point at Bideford. From here the route became a little more varied as we took narrower paths through National Trust woodland towards Appledore. Westward Ho! (isn't it great that a place actually has an exclamation mark!) was in sight but our tired legs still needed to walk around Northam Burrows. Luckily the beautiful landscape distracted us to a certain extent from our weariness and for the final straight we paddled in the sea which was just what our feet needed! We didn't need to wait long for the bus back to Barnstaple and this time hobbled through Mortehoe for Fish & Chips! 

1. The Route

 9. Leg 3  - SW Coastal Path 9: Barnstaple to Croyde

30 May 2018

For Walk no. 9 we drove to Barnstaple and headed off along the River Taw. This route was largely flat and took us past many abandoned boats in various states of disrepair. At one point it seemed we were herding sheep until a car coming the other way encouraged them to stay put! Some lovely wildflowers along the way, stunning rock formations and a welcome tea and cake once we arrived at Croyde. Here we took the bus back to Barnstaple and headed straight to Mortehoe for a pub meal at 'The Ship Aground'. Sally was delighted that the Bideford Morris Dancers and Ilfracombe Clog Dancers were out for a pub night! 

1. The Route

 8. Leg 3  - SW Coastal Path 8: Mortehoe, Woolacombe, Croyde, Georgeham circular

29 May 2018

Half term and we headed to North Devon for the 3rd leg of our South West Coastal Path challenge! We stayed at a lovely campsite near Mortehoe (Damage Barton) and managed 3 decent walks. This, the first, took us from the campsite towards Morthoe and on to Woolacombe where we had reached the previous summer. A hike across the beach before joining the path through Baggy Point, National Trust land. Rather muddy in places on the way back but we'd pre-ordered pizza at the campsite which we washed down with a welcome beer!

1. The Route

2. Obligatory Pasty!

Baggy Point