18/6 to 24/6/2023 Barnstaple to Bude (55.2mls)

Just 95mls to go now and this was the first part of completing the Barnstaple to Polzeath stretch. We were based in the village of Parkham at a property called Flaxmans next to the church. The village is surprisingly large considering its remote location accessible via a network of very narrow twisty lanes on which we had some exciting confrontations with cars, vans and farm vehicles! Very much a farming community here and in fact part of the rental included a free trip around a farm on the back of a tractor trailer - we graciously declined this as that was the last thing we wanted to do after a long day on the severe/strenuous walks on the SWCP.

Fiona was again Logistics Manager/Driver and had a more difficult week this time as there were not many convenient places to spend time during the day whilst we were walking, although Hartland Abbey was a special highlight.

David A reckoned the first days walk from Hartland Quay to Morwenstowe was a bit too severe so the traditional start of week photo at Hartland Quay was just of Fiona, David and Justine ...

The walking plan for the 5 days was as shown below. We were originally booked to arrive on the Saturday but since making the booking Jonn and Red had organised a 20th Wedding Anniversary party on the Saturday so Fiona and David drove to Derbyshire on the Friday, enjoyed the party with friends and family before driving back to Bristol on the Saturday night and then on to Devon on the Sunday! The advance weather forecasts were changing almost hourly with localised downpours being forecast on most days but whilst Fiona and David A got caught in the odd shower, Justine and David managed to avoid them.

Each of the above walks are described in individual blog pages.

Just to finish the week, as if the SWCP hadn't been enough a challenge!, we left Flaxmans early on the Saturday morning so that Justine and David could do the Bideford 5K Parkrun ...

... and then David and Fiona went off to spend a couple of expensive hours at an outlet centre on the outskirts of Bideford before driving home to complete a very satisfying and successful week. Sadly, just the final 47mls to do in September now.

NOTE - The SWCP Association Walking Guides for each leg of the path are available from the SWCP Association Shop and are packed with detail not only about the route but also interesting facts about what to see on the way.