Minehead to Bossiney
Left Minehead on a path through Exmoor, heather and wild animals etc, felt like I was back in the wilds of Scotland, misty, drizzle, basically a damp feeling most of the day. I had dried off by about 3, as the sun had finally decided to give me a break, but about 2 miles from my destination, it opened up again but with torrential rain. Around that time I bumped into another walker who I met earlier in the day, we just looked at each other in disbelief and laughed. Completely drenched, even with waterproofs. On arrival at Lynemouth, felt l was getting some looks, not in the ‘you’re not from round ere’, but more ‘what the hell you doing out in this weather’, the thing is I was asking myself exactly that question, what am I doing, why did I start this again?! Made my way up to Lynton, where I’d booked a hotel, on opening the door the host said ‘oh you poor thing, you been out here long?’ I tried to explain that this is all self-inflicted, please don’t pity me… one day summed up.
What I’ve found with this coastal path is that even though I’m roughly averaging the same distance per day (about 15 miles), it doesn’t look like I’m making any progress. So many coves to dip in and out of, some bits are like continually walking up and down a mountain. This week has been a massive challenge, I’ve never cursed nature so much in my life.
I tried venturing onto the B roads to shorten the distance, but after observing the road for about ten minutes, decided I’d rather stay alive. Too many tailgaters and narrowing sections of road.
From this point I’ve got ten days to get to Lands End, should make it!
James Johnson 