19/10/2021 - Sidmouth to Seaton (11.07mls)

Today was aways going to be a "can we get there before the next band of rain arrives" day.

Before we set off Justine was keen for a swim so down to Seatown beach at 08:00 where the sea was very lively - the swim became an invigorating but fun quick dip!

Fiona dropped us off on the seafront so we walked along the esplanade to the very smart new Alma Bridge footbridge over the River Sid. Almost immediately we were aware of light drizzle in the air and an old chap standing on the bridge with his dog said "Have you not heard of long trousers?". We had walked all week with shorts on as, although we had had some rain, it was not cold at all with the temperatures still around the 17C mark - not bad for late October.

The SWCP signage from Sidmouth up to the top of Salcombe Hill was clearly new and a plaque indicated that it had been funded by a grant from the EU! - not all bad then.

The way down to Salcombe Mouth is by way of 200 steps - DavidA's favourite so he set off ahead of DavidL and Justine ...

The next part of the walk past Dunscombe Cliffs was interesting and enjoyable and before the steep descent to Weston Mouth we came across Weston Plats which were once locally owned allotments in use from the 19th century until the 1960s. As an almost frost free location they were able to grow a variety of early crops although transporting their produce to market on foot and with donkeys must have been arduous. There is a restored hut and the remains of agricultural machinery overgrown with vegetation ...

The final descent to Weston Mouth was steeply down about 150 steps and then along the beach for a few yards before climbing 230+ steps to Weston Cliff. The path from here was reasonably level but the drizzle was persistent making for very hazy views. It was along here that Justine spotted a sheep close to the fence that had got itself snagged by a strand of barbed wire that was sticking out of the fence and the sheep was having difficulty in escaping. We managed to de-snag it and it ran off with it's mates none the worse for wear. Further along we then spotted spotted another sheep with possibly a broken leg but there was no farm nearby so we had to let nature take it's course.

Eventually the path descended steeply into Branscombe Mouth where we met Fiona at the very clean and modern 'Sea Shanty' cafe and secretly ate our snack whilst also buying hot drinks etc in the cafe.

From Branscome Mouth there is a choice of routes to reach Beer Head above Beer town. One route is to climb up to East Cliff and then walk along the headland to Beer Head but the official SCWP route is to walk along the Hooken Undercliff, initially through a caravan park which clings to the rock face and vegetation, and then climb up to meet walk option 1 at Beer Head. We were glad we chose the latter route as the Hooken Undercliff was possibly our favourite stretch of the SWCP for the whole of the week.

After the calm of the undercliff we were not prepared for what hit us on Beer Head. Despite the view being restricted by the mist, the wind was incredibly strong almost blowing us over. We heard later from a lady who was walking out of sight but ahead of us that she was blown off her feet twice on this stretch. Glad it was an on-shore wind!

Fiona met us at a caravan park above Beer and with the weather forecasting heavy rain at about 16:00 DavidL and Justine reckoned that if they got a wiggle on they could make it to Seaton before the rain. So off we went firstly down to Beer which looked a very attractive family seaside place ...

... and then on a diverted path to Seaton. All easy walking but we were miffed when we got to Seaton that although the tide was in we could easily have walked along the back of the beach form Beer to Seaton rather than taking the diversion and saved ourselves the best part of a mile! Anyway, Fiona and DavidA were waiting for us at Seaton and whilst we were getting in the car the rain started but nothing like as heavy or prolonged as had been forecast.

An evening drink at the 'Clock Inn' just opposite our accommodation on the main road in Chideock completed an eventful but satisfying day.