The day started with a drive to Bigbury-on-Sea, using the ‘Tidal road’ from Aveton Gifford – the water was very close even though it was low tide! Risks have to be taken sometimes!
The first very short walk was to visit Burgh Island, this is reached by a causeway which is only passable at low tide. The rocks around the island are quite impressive and there is a shelter where fisherman would have looked out for shoals of pilchards and then set sail in their boats.
After a walk around the island we returned to the causeway and already the water was beginning to cover the way.
The mist was beginning to close in more and more but Alex and Pete decided that they would still accompany me on the planned coastal walk whilst the other two opted for the beach.
This was a walk and a half! An extreme combination of continuous steep up and down hill climbs and very poor visibility – who doesn’t like a challenge on a Thursday?
The beach at Bigbury and Burgh Island had all but disappeared as we set off for Challaborough. This beach and area was quite busy mostly due to a huge caravan site. The steep climbs now started to kick in.
Realised I hadn’t eaten so had to stop for a refuel, the other two had eaten whilst I struggled with flaky WiFi signals to pay for the car park!! Onwards and upwards and down and up again!
We had had a thought to get to Wonwell Beach but had also suggested we would be back in three hours. Just before we got to a point where we felt we ought to turn round the sea mist did almost clear.
Frustrating to not quite reach our goal but this was a tough walk of 10.5 km and we gave it a good attempt. Frustratingly the last part might have been easier and it was a little quicker on the way back, probably because the mist did eventually lift.
As we returned towards Bigbury-on-Sea we could at last see Burgh Island again but alas no causeway!
This walk was quite a test and probably the toughest terrain I have attempted since my new hips! Great experience and thank you to my two companions.
This walk took over three hours and the pace helps to indicate the severity of the inclines. In fit bit terms over 180 floors during the walk !
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 