Fri 30th April - Day 14, Braunton to Widemouth (20 miles)

It was a sunny start to the day and I left at 7:20 walking along the road for a mile to Saunton where I could pick up the coastal path again going to Croyde then up round onto Baggy Point which gave a good view of Wollacombe.

There were a lot of walkers about today, this is a popular tourist area with the villages of Croyde, Woolacombe & Mortehoe.

After coming round the point it was 2 miles on the sandy beach to Woolacombe then back up onto the footpath to Morte Point where I stopped for lunch.

With it being a popular area there were plenty of seats along the path and while I was sat on one having my lunch I heard someone shout "Hello Dave".

It was Maggie with a group of friends,
I had met Maggie three days ago while I was having a pub lunch in Clovelly.

I continued round to Bull Point then dropped steeply down into Lee then straight back up the other side, the weather had gradually cooled and clouded over with the threat of rain and I needed my jacket on again

From the high point I had a brief view of Ilfracombe before the path dropped again to hug the cliff for the descent into the town. Light rain had started and I slipped and fell on the wet rocky path.

I was in Ilfracombe by 15:30, too soon to stop really so I had an early pub meal and did some shopping before leaving again at 17:00

There was still spots of rain but the wind had dropped and I reached Little Meadow campsite, just past Widemouth, at 18:00 where I ended the day.

My right foot had been sore all day, a couple of lengthy breaks helped. It turned out to be blister no 3, so on with another plaster.

It's supposed to be tough going again the next 2 days, people I meet with guide books say it is another stretch described as very severe.

20 miles done today, 3 days until the end of Stage 1.

213 miles completed