Crackington Haven to Boscastle 21st March

Tim and Margaret


What a lovely time we had with Margaret; I'm not sure where to start. Her care for us ranged from supplying sun cream to turning out her walking poles! We were also given a lovely, lively, tail-wagging reception from Bonnie, Margeret's dog, who became very attached to Tim.

Bonnie


We sat and talked with Margaret as old friends do, I enjoyed a bath and discovered how sunburnt I was... quite a shock when I looked in the mirror and saw a puce face staring back at me!

We had been advised by Jeannie and Alastair, and several walkers we met on the path, to consider using walking poles. I had tried them a few years ago when a group of us from school had tackled our own version of the Three Peaks challenge and I had found them a nuisance; however, we talked about them with Margaret and she turned out her own set. After a demonstration of how they should be used Tim went off to practice in the hallway... highly entertaining... but he began to master the art.

We had had a long walk that day, and Tim was anxious about the next stage of the path because the guide said how dangerous it can be because the path is not always well defined and crosses shale/slate areas which can be very unstable. Margaret was willing to let us stay a second night so we decided to go just as far as Boscastle over High Cliff, and catch the bus back and also to take the walking poles with us the next day to try them out.

Crackington Haven

Next morning, liberally smothered in Margeret's suncream, and under one or her hats (me - Tim had his own!), we set off with less to carry, but with the walking poles for Tim to try.

The weather was stunning again and we set off towards Crackington Haven via a woodland path which had lovely views of the coast. Back on the coast path the warmth had brought out this little chap...

and soon we were heading for High Cliff - over 700 feet.


The colour of the sea was stunning and we even spotted seals! Tim got on well with the poles and felt that once he'd got the hang of them they helped his walking.

Seal

I must admit that all the sun of yesterday had taken its toll on me and I felt queasy most of the day, but it couldn't mar the glorious sights.

During our first stage of the walk, on our way to Woolacombe, Tim had painfully jarred his knee; now it was my turn - though not jarred. My knees click quite often but with no apparent consequence, especially after about 5 miles, but this time my left knee clicked with a sharp pain and I walked on warily for the rest of the day. I was glad we only had a short walk that day.

We have had many different ways of crossing hedges... here are a couple of the more interesting ones...

Whilst walking this part of the cliff, Tim suddenly called to me, and four swallows flew past going north!

We arrived in Boscastle and it was like a summer's day with folk strolling round happily in tee shirts, families playing and sitting in the sun.

We decided soup was called for, and once again we were treated to a delicious soup and roll. Whilst we were eating, a sea mist had rolled in, so when we emerged from the cafe we were greeted by an eeirie atmosphere with folk standing around in groups staring up at the sky. The temperature had dropped and it was chilly. The warm summer's day had gone and people soon disappeared too.

We caught the bus back to Margaret's chatting to a charming couple who we had met several times on the path.

Easter

I am beginning to wonder if this blog could be arranged like pages in a book rather than as a long vertical line! It would be easier to follow.

Yes, I am back home, and have been since 25th, but am writing up the blog from here - perhaps I 'll put dates in on the titles and that may help.

I'm actually sitting up in bed with my breakfast coffee, writing this!

Since coming home I've managed two rounds of golf (including one birdie!), dug out three compost heaps and dug the patch. Tim is digging a little extra along one side because I've bought some more raspberry canes and am hoping to put them in today.I have potatoes chitting and red onion sets ready to plant today too. It's looking a lot tidier!

Meriel is here for Easter and Tim and Bridgie are back. Phil called in Wednesday eve so we had a full house and Bridgie helped me make three yummy pizzas -base and all!

Bridgie hard at work.

The finished product.

Bude to Crackington Haven 20th March

After another excellent night's sleep and delicious breakfast, we set off at our usual time along by the golf course and into the town. We called into Ripe again to pick up a baguette for our lunch,

and then crossed the canal to set off along the cliff path.

This area was very attractive.

We had absolutely glorious weather again, not the wild wind and crashing seas that we had expected ~ we were being spoilt ~ Tim is wondering if there will be 'payback time' at some point! I'm hopeful we're just being well looked after :-)!

The path from Bude to Widemouth Bay I found a little to close to civilisation, but from there on it became ours again. The geology of this part of the coast is stunning. As a schoolgirl I came to Millook Beach on a Geography trip to marvel at the strata...

and it really is amazing!

Millook Beach

We passed along through Dizzard Wood with its ancient dwark oaks,

and up and down a few more of these!

This is wonderful walking and despite fears for the path because it is shale and in wet conditions is extremely slippery, we had a marvellous walk to Crackington Haven and arrived hot, tired and in need of refreshment.

I loved this water trough in the roadside hedge as we walked into Crackington...
...especially this part of the engraving :-)

We didn't sup the water but filled up with a cream tea then headed up the valley towards Higher Crackington to find our bed for the night ~ a home from home with Margaret.

Some places we remember by the name of the village, others by the name of the farm or house name, but one or two special ones we remember by our host's name, so this is Margaret's.

Cornakey to Bude 19th March

We set off on another gorgeous morning, across the fields of Cornakey farm back on to the coast path. It was sunny and warm with a strong easterly wind (very unusual) with the visibilty limited again because of a blanket of haze and cloud out to sea.

This section of the walk saw seven valleys to descend into and climb out of...

... challenging - but much more do-able with our lighter loads.

Tim is an excellent guide - he reads up all about the walk beforehand and feeds me snippets of information as we go. One such was about Rev Hawker - what an interesting character - this is his hut where he spent time writing poetry and sermons and smoking opium.


The hut is built of driftwood and is almost impossible to see from a distance...


and this was his view!

Further on we came to Higher Sharpnose point, which Tim walked out to ...



... and if only you could see it... his sense of humour is reflected in his pose!


Our walk took us on past the huge 'Composite Signals Organisation Station' at Cleave Camp - around Lower Sharpnose Point




and on to Duckpool.

Duckpool

We were nearing Bude by now and were meeting more people out enjoying the wonderful sunshine. It certainly was a beautiful day.

These parts however, where people were nearby, were not my favourite I must admit. I simply love the wild and rugged parts which are usually devoid of any human hand (bar the pathway!).

Bude has an amazing outdoor sea pool


and these pretty spring flowers planted randomly around giving a lovely scent on the warm breeze.

We were both a little tired and sat and ate pasties in a little park area, followed by tea in a lovely cafe called Ripe Coffee Lounge then off to Teeside to our B&B. Tim had booked this comfy B&B for us which would be ideal for a golfing holiday!