Day 8

August 18, 2015

Depart Cremyll | Arrive Wembury, Accommodation: 1 Barton Close, Wembury

Distance: 21.7KM | Cumulative Distance: 197.8KM | Grade - Easy

Ascent: 1,723 ft | Cumulative Ascent: 18,944 ft.

Cumulative Distance (both walks): 661.8 KM | Cumulative Ascent (both walks): 80,649 ft.

A TALE OF 3 THIRDS

Breakfast wasn't served until 8-30 this morning which was fine by me, as it gave me a chance to catch up on some much needed sleep. I was out the door shortly before 9 am and would have probably slept a little longer if I'd known the ferry wasn't going to arrive until shortly before 9-30. There were probably 8 or 9 cyclists getting off with their bikes, and I would suspect they were cycling back to Plymouth.

I got off the ferry shortly before 9-45 and the game was on!

It was a spectacular morning, as you will see with the first pictures of the day, and I also had a stab at making a video. If that works I might try others!

I was now in Plymouth, the largest place on the entire SW Coast Path, and I had 10 miles ahead of me trying to navigate my way around the obstacles of a large, sprawling city. This first third of the day was very interesting, as I was navigating through the "touristy bits" of town, and I was tempted several times by the inviting coffee and pastry shops that abounded. The city is one of Britain's 3 major naval centres with the other 2 being located at Portsmouth and Chatham, and so the city has a rich history. It is also famous as the place where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America all those years ago.

There was a bonus as the walking was very pleasant and for the most part flat, which was a relief from yesterday's grinding hills, and any undulations tended to be all one way, down!

Unfortunately I was soon through the pretty bits and now entering the ugly middle third of the day, as the path took me through the industrial heart of Plymouth. I don't think I've ever seen so many scrap metal dealers, and one in particular is supposedly the largest in the country. Right at the end I lost the trail, which caused a lot of angst as I felt like I was making decent time up to that point. I got into a residential neighbourhood just like the book stated but I could not find the street I was looking for. I even asked in the Florist shop and the lady couldn't find it on her map! I eventually found it, and the reason I could not find it was because the name in the book is not shown on the street. Having said that it was the street with no name!

I now moved along rather nicely and soon found the lovely Clovelly Bay Marina, and the path that led to Mountbatten, which is where the flying boats used to take off from. The path was now much clearer and more recognizable and I was soon on my way up the steps to Jennycliff where I enjoyed the most magnificent views back across to Cremyll. I also found a great patch of Blackberries which were very tasty!

I was now at Bovisand Bay and making up for lost time after my mishaps in the industrial park, and the trail was getting prettier and prettier, and I was in the home stretch. Across the water was an island called The Great Mew stone, and in 1744 a man was sentenced to live on the rock for 7 years as punishment for a petty crime.

I finally got into Wembury at about 4-15pm and took the more difficult trail, up the hill past the church, rather than walk up the road. My reason for doing this was the trail is part of the SW Coast Path and I would rather do the climb at the end of the day than start with it. Plus I have a tight schedule tomorrow as I have to get to my destination to ensure I get the ferry across to Bantham.

It was close to 5 pm when I arrived and my host John made me a very welcome cup of tea, which with the cookies from my bedroom, were very well received.

I was going to write this blog over dinner at the local pub, but when I arrived the service was non existent, and I feel I could still have been there now waiting, so I decided to come back, write this, and then try again once this is "in the can".