Log No 256. Tue 25th Feb 2014 - Hartland to Bude, 16 miles (3898 miles walked)

There wasn't a lot of choice with the transport today, only two feasible buses from Bude back to Hartland - 06.50 or 17.30.
With the camper near Hartland I didn't fancy having to drive to Bude for the early bus so I opted for a later start with plenty of time to get the 17.30 bus.

Mind you, I still needed to get up early to finish off yesterdays log, I was too tired last night.

I set off from the car park in Hartland at 08.40 the weather looked promising as I headed out to Hartland Quay but I had to waterproof up before I got there when a heavy shower started.

With 12 streams to cross it was going to be another strenuous day but it was only 13 miles of clifftop walking so I could take my time.

I crossed into Cornwall at Marsland Mouth.

The showers were not very frequent so I was thankful not to be wearing my waterproofs because even with the strong cool wind it was warm work with all the climbs.

I can't recall seeing the Hawkers Hut when I was here before but it is just like a small version of one of the many beach huts. It was out of site though as you had to go down the side of the cliff to get to it.


Descending all the steps down to the streams is certainly testing my achilles, my ankles were aching after yesterday and there are more descents today.

I had a bit of respite after climbing up from Stanbury Mouth with a fairly flat stretch going past the Early Warning Station north of Coombe.

It didn't last long and it was back to more of the same drops and climbs.

There seemed less people about today, I had passed 4 folk but only met 2 coming towards me.

I got into Bude at 15.10 and with the bus not due until 17.30 I relaxed in the Library before going for some fish & chips.

The bus had never arrived by 17.50, a mother with two children was also waiting for the same bus and when another bus from the same operator came by she asked the driver if he knew what had happened to it.

He phoned his office to be told that it had been involved in an accident. The driver was just finishing his shift and as he lived in Hartland told us to get on his bus while he drove it back to the depot and he gave the four of us a lift to our destinations in his car.

16 hilly miles.