In Devon – South Hams, a place visited many times as the children were growing up. Never tire of returning to some of these wonderful beaches, nearly all of which require a walk to reach them.
So having arrived at our holiday destination- a very nice converted barn , near Frogmore, a quick escape was made to the beach.
Pete kindly drove Alex and myself here and we met Jack and Franky at the barn. It should have been a straightforward drive to Gara Rock beach! But oh no, a few wrong turns, very narrow lanes with high hedge and grass down the middle plus people with large cars and those that need an oversized gap before they pass.
So knowing there was a good walk from where we had to park the car I left the four young people to go straight to the beach whilst I set off.
The track went across fields and then a continuous downward slope through some woods, veering north west towards Mill Bay NT car park, just south of East Portlemouth.
The path emerges and bears round to the left onto the SW Coastal path and glimpses of Salcombe across the harbour are soon available.
The path undulates as coastal paths are prone to do and I’m immediately struck by the enormous difference to Orkney. Here there is woodland and the path is closer to the edge plus sounds of voices as, people are enjoying themselves on the sandy stretches below.
Reflection- I remember scrambling down to one of these sunny coves with the boys and their dad plus his parents. One time the sandbank was exposed as it is today and the day was talked about for a long time afterwards.
This is a late afternoon walk and the sunlight is wonderful. Long shadows on the sandy soil in front of me, images of ferns and also of butterflies. Moving shadows – rather special.
An abundance of flowers also bring a special joy and I’m caused to acknowledge the intensity of colour between the gorse and the heather.
As the path rounds the point and starts going south east I’m reminded that coastal walking is not an easy option and that I’m not quite as flexible yet as I would hope to be. A few very tricky boulders and rock slabs, which had me scrambling and not wishing to think about the consequences of a slip!
The cliffs are much more extreme here, with some steep drops as well as rocks on the non sea side of the path at some points. Eventually I rounded the corner with the bay almost looming and could start my steep descent to the beach.
I only paddled unlike the rest of my group! The walk back up from the beach is a quite steep never ending hill !
New type of app hiccup – forgetting to turn it off when you put your bag in the boot of the car!! Hence the slight extra spur! A credible 6 km!
A great first walk in Devon.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 