Morwenstow to Bude

Leg 3, Day 4 - Wednesday 31st August 2011

Path Facts - Length: 7.9 miles, Ascent: 2100 feet (est)

Another great breakfast at 8 am. Very soon it will be necessary to kick the fried breakfast habit as I definitely won’t be burning as many calories as I’m consuming.

Set off at 9.20 am again. There’s about ½ mile of track to pick up with the coast path again & we made a slight detour to visit Hawker’s Hut, made of driftwood, overlooking the sea. This is apparently the smallest property owned by the National Trust.

Hartland Quay to Morwenstow

Hartland Quay to Morwenstow - Tuesday 30th August 2011

Path Facts - Length: 7.5 miles, Ascent: 2172 feet (est)

In the planning, there was a choice with regard to this stretch. The guide books give Hartland Quay to Bude as 15.4 miles, 4272 feet ascent and suggest this is the toughest walk on the whole coast path. We opted for the optional stop at Morwenstow, splitting the walk into two shortish days, I think largely because my melodramatic description of the full route last time we met caused Andy to start developing new ailments 6 months in advance.

Clovelly to Hartland Quay

Clovelly to Hartland Quay - Monday 29th August 2011

Path Facts - Length: 10.3 miles, Ascent: 2323 feet

8am breakfast again then set off at 9.20am. From Burscott the path descends again to the visitor centre at Clovelly before heading through a field with huge iron gates reminiscent of Jurassic Park (watch out for velociraptors). 

There is a stretch of woodland path on leaving Clovelly (apparently the shelter gives Clovelly it’s own micro-climate). An objet d’art known as The Angel Wings is on this stretch. It is a wood carved shelter, made by a former butler of Clovelly Court.

Westward Ho! to Clovelly

Westward Ho! to Clovelly - Sunday 28th August 2011

Path Facts - Length: 11.1 miles, Ascent: 2589 feet

8am breakfast followed by some pack adjustments, returning excess baggage to the boot of the car. We set off about 9.30am. The North Devon mini rally was passing through Westward Ho! There were meant to be 200+ minis taking part. There were plenty on the road and at the sea front.

Arrival ~ Westward Ho!

Westward Ho! - Saturday 27th August 2011

Arrived in Westward Ho! for the commencement of Leg 3 about 5pm. There is a great road that opens up views of the sea as you come down the hill into the town. At the sea front the tide was in. There was big sky, strong wind, epic waves and great views across the bay to coast path past and future.