Croyde to Barnstaple
The walk from Combas Farm Campsite to Barnstaple should be easy. At least, that’s what the swcp guidebook says. It’s a long, nearly flat walk from Croyde, past a house that looked like something off of Grand Designs, down Saunton Sands, between Saunton Golf Course and Braunton Burrows, around the low Horsey Island, and along the breakwater that protects against the tidal Rivers Taw and Toddington.
It’s all very beautiful, but, well, kind of boring.
The final few miles are a bike path between a wooden-plank fence and an airforce airfield and barracks. I got a bus at Chivenor Cross when my feet were smarting after an already long day, and it became obvious there wasn’t much of interest to see between there and Barnstaple proper.
What was exciting to discover (and apologies here, I don’t have any pics) was the little historic pocket of Barnstaple where I’d booked to stay in the fabulous No. 2 Broadgate B&B.
Having worked in Barnstaple for a whole summer, way back when, I thought I’d explored just about every bit of town. But, Pilton, the little suburb north east of the centre of Barnstaple, was a revelation – gorgeous, old, cobble-stone streets, with original stone houses built at crazy angles or to fit between other crazy-angled houses – really pretty, and one of those places where it’s a joy to get lost.
Shame I was so exhausted I could barely enjoy it.
After climbing the hill to Pilton, finding my B&B, and scaling the stairs up into the attic to my gorgeous suite of rooms under the eaves, I forthwith fell into a deep doze.
Now, I’m not a napper. This was extreme exhaustion, and it was having it’s wicked way with me.
Tomorrow, I decided, I’d take a well-deserved day off.
[Surge stats: 23.55 km, 62 floors, 34746 steps]
PenLoper 