The next day was cold, clear and sunny — the best weather I'd had so far. (After this a fast-moving depression would set in, streaming from the south-west, and causing all the West Country gales and floods which subsequently became headline news.) For the moment, though, the sea was calm and blue. I left Bantham and The Sloop Inn at 9.00 am and noted Burgh Island once more — this time seen from the opposite side of the estuary.
 |
| Burgh Island. (The sea really was as blue as this.) |
 |
| The route skirted Thurlestone Golf Course (golf courses are just as common as caravan parks round here) then led down to South Milton Sands where there is a nature reserve. |
 |
| Reed-fringed lake at Milton Sands' Nature Reserve. |
 |
| With Milton Sands now behind me... |
 |
| ... I soon approached Hope Cove and the settlements of Outer Hope (the new village) and Inner Hope (the old village). |
 |
| Living in Hope. |
 |
| A spectacular path roller coastered the cliffs between the headlands of Bolt Tail and Bolt Head. Some of the views inland were just as gorgeous... |
 |
| ... as the seaward panoramas. |
 |
| Soar Mill Cove. |
 |
| Looking back towards Soar Mill Cove and Cathole Cliff... |
 |
| It was a steep climb up to these shattered granite outcrops... |
7 comments:
Robert, my heart rose higher with every image. Can't we stay here at the top in the sun a while?
This looks like a beautiful section. Shame about the golf courses. I don't think I've done a long walk anywhere in the world where I haven't had to bypass them along the way. I reckon in an enlightened future (if there's one in store) people will will look back and ask, "What possessed people to do that?" Could be worse though, I suppose - I've also had to pass speedways in the middle of nowhere and army explosives testing grounds!
Yes, we can, Ruth... but you'll need your thermals. It's damn cold up there!
Goat: taking into account the golf courses, the caravan parks and the military firing ranges ubiquitous in these parts — there's still a little unspoilt natural beauty left, thank goodness. (Did you know Bob Dylan was rumoured to have taken up golf at one time? Yes, that staggered me too!)
What a wonderful day that must have been! Great views in every direction, including inland. I especially like the second photo of the reed-fringed lake.
Golf courses, could be useful for a wild camp one pleasant spring night?
I've really enjoyed this series, making me feel impatient for the Spring to I can get out and about for a couple of over-nighters.
Oh, you need to tell us what you drink when you stop for a pint. A local bitter I'd hope?
What magnifique landscape. I am not much of a writer but if I lived among such beauty I think I could start to write poetry…
Thanks for your comments George, Martin and Vagabonde.
Martin, I hate golf courses — sorry, any golfing readers out there — but they certainly could be useful for a neat wild camp. (Providing you strike camp at crack of dawn — those keen golfing types do start their strange rituals bloody early.) As for the tipple — why, local real ale, of course!
Post a Comment