Mortehoe – Croyde (via Bull Point, Morte Point, & Baggy Point).
All I had to do today was traverse the headlands of Morte Pt. and Baggy Pt., but getting there is something of an undertaking – to do the headlands you have to do all the bits in between. So, 9 km of walk turned into over 20 km.
That’s what you get for skipping the points, Penloper!
Having said that, I wouldn’t have missed today’s walk for anything.
Last year I left the path at Bull Point, turning inland to the North Morte Farm campground. I returned today to retrace my steps down the lanes to the lighthouse, recalling how I’d relished the path turning south and my evening views over the wild Atlantic.
The path from this remote point is challenging to say the least,…
…but the truly gorgeous craggy slate turned near vertical – like silvery pages in a book – make Morte Point an astounding geological sight, and the walk somewhat trecherous.
At the tip of Morte Point I met a woman who had spent five years walking the swcp in intermittent bursts of effort. She finished it a few months ago with the help of her husband who played the part of luggage courier. Having just retired, she couldn’t resist one more day on the path and had come out to experience Morte Point again. They helped me take the requisite photos before we parted ways and I moved on to again walk the generous length of Woolocombe Sand. Devon sure isn’t short on the golden grain!
The bucolic roll of Baggy Point’s green pastures tied the whole day up very nicely.
This headland is far more benign than Morte Point, but it’s still rough underfoot and on more than one occasion I tripped or turned an ankle, nearly ending face-first in prickles or cow/sheep dung. They don’t make this path for the feint hearted!
Here’s proof that I made it to Baggy Point (you can see Morte Point far in the distance). Behind my head are two people climbing that sandy cliff-face – a different kind of crazy, for sure.
A quick hour walk to Croyde (past the historical curiosity at the top of this post), a cappuccino in the wonderful cafe simply called ‘The Store’, and a terrifying ride back to Barnstaple on top of a double-decker bus, and I’m pretty much done for the day.
Tomorrow I move on to the Elmscott YHA bunkhouse, and my last day of walking before I head west into Cornwall.
Thanks so much Devon! It’s been a treat.
Stats: 30520 steps; 150 floors; 21.16 km; 1 seal sighting.
PenLoper 