Day 11

August 21, 2015

Depart Salcombe | Arrive Torcross, Accommodation: Seabreeze, Torcross

Distance: 12.6KM | Cumulative Distance: 256.1KM | Grade - Strenuous

Ascent: 2,251 ft | Cumulative Ascent: 26,027 ft.

Cumulative Distance (both walks): 720.1 KM | Cumulative Ascent (both walks): 87,732 ft.

SOME PEOPLE!!

Before I forget, and it was remiss of me not to do it on last nights blog, but I must thank Jools, (Julie), for the excellent coffee at The Salcombe Coffee Co. Julie is the lady who I helped guide down from off the hills in the mist that had descended as the afternoon wore on. It was Julie's way of saying thank you and I wanted to acknowledge my appreciation for her kindness.

I received notice from my good man Andrew MacDonald at O.I. who I mentioned in my opening email of this blog that a rather generous donation had been received from my good friend Jean Claude who is one of the luminaries within the Rwandan Community. Now I'm not sure if this was an individual donation from Jean Claude and his delightful wife Christine, or if it was a collection from members of the local Rwandan Community, but either way I do want to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation for their kindness and generosity.

Went to bed early last night in anticipation of an early start. My accommodation did not serve breakfast, but there was a cafe right across the street that was open at 7am and the first ferry of the day was at 8 am and I was intent on an early start. Unfortunately my plans were scuppered by the people in the next room who decided their TV was going to stay on all night. Needless to say that when I left this morning I'm sure they knew about it! Breakfast at Captain Morgan's was very good and I had my usual of brown toast smothered with scrambled eggs and topped with baked beans and I find it is very filling and provides great fuel for the day. The coffee was very good but not quite as good as last nights.

Based on my experience therefore the Victoria Inn only rates a 3, as did the Sloop the previous night. John at Wembury rates a 4.

After breakfast I thought I'd better go and find the ferry as I didn't want to miss it, and as someone said it was located by the Ferry Inn, and quite a walk I set out. 3 minutes later I was at the Ferry Inn and followed the steps down the side of the building to the dock. It was 7-40 am and so I decided to kill a couple of minutes and took several photos. The weather was not as bad as the day before but the mist was still hanging over the hills around Salcombe. I would prefer this weather to the rain however and couldn't wait to start walking. The ferryman arrived right on time and within 5 minutes I was alighting from the ferry in East Portlemounth.

The path led right and I had a short 1/2 mile walk to Mill Bay, from which I took one last look across to Salcombe before moving on. I was now faced with a route that led me high, or I could stay close to the water and so chose the latter option. The first part of the journey took me through a wooded area before taking me across open country and along Portlemouth Down. The weather although not sunny was at least acceptable and very good walking conditions existed. From Portlemouth Down I headed around Gara Rock and the next headland to aim for was Gammon Head. By now the conditions were excellent and I noticed a number of boats on the water but still no sign of any walkers, but that was ok, as I was making good time. I had walked for 2 hours before I stopped for a 5 minute water break, and then it was back at it.

This mornings was the perfect time to reflect on why I'm doing this walk and the good fortune of those that we serve to have the love and support of people like you who have very generously supported this venture. I have no doubt that these new entrepreneurs will do us all proud in their new ventures. As I was walking I also formulated an idea that I would like to share with you. I was thinking how blessed we have been by all the kindness from everyone who has donated to the Walking People out of Poverty initiative, and wondered if I could ask you all a very special favor?

Would it be rude of me to ask if you could ask around, within your sphere of influence, to see if you could find just one person who may be kind enough and interested in making a donation to this walk please? Any additional donations would be most gratefully accepted and of course appreciated beyond words.

After rounding Gammon Head I now had the short haul to the lookout station at Prawle Point which translated means "lookout hill" and it was a steep climb up and around the station before dropping down to much flatter conditions. The morning thus far had been exhilarating and now I had earned my reward because the next stretch of land looked to be relatively flat and level and I like to think I earned it. I now entered a series of level fields each of which was accessed via a gate, and I then passed Maelcombr House which had obviously been in a severe state of disrepair but which was now undergoing a major renovation. I'm sure that when it's finished it will be absolutely magnificent.

Climbing up from Great Mattiscombe Sand I found a tennis ball, and noticed some way ahead of me a couple of walkers, but could not tell if they had a dog or not. I picked the ball up and thought I'd take it with me just in case. After all I'm sure a dog without its ball is a like a day without sunshine to us! The people were making good time but I was gaining on them slowly and eventually reached then where the path bends away from Start Point Lighthouse. They were both surprised and thankful, because they thought the ball was long gone. The dog was obviously delighted to be reunited with his ball and I enjoyed a lovely conversation for a few minutes before our respective paths diverted. I was now in the home stretch and the walking had been excellent and the weather had done its part by cooperating.

Below me, stretching out was the homeward stretch and I climbed down from the top of the mountain, where the wind was blowing quite hard, and arrived at the first of several small beach communities, including Hallsands and Beesands before arriving into Torcross and my fabulous bed and breakfast at Seabreeze. I checked in, showered and changed and before writing this blog I decided to treat myself to a cream tea which was delicious. I'm very happy to be finished early as I have an extremely long day tomorrow of almost 22 miles.