So here we are again! With 217 1/4 miles to go, to complete th South West Coast Path, we arrive in Plymouth today eager for our mission.
And back to just over the footbridge from the Mayflower steps just yards from where we left it nearly 6 months ago.
Harry is looking keen (honest)...
The first part of our billed 12.5 miles today is through the industrial seafront of Plymouth... we had been warned about it and, while it is safe, it ain’t pretty!
So the authorities have tried to brighten it up by making SWCP signs out of weird stuff... like this..
And this...
And generally putting artifacts on the way...
Apparently they found lion, ox, hippo, elephant, camel and rhino bones in the docks from primeval times...
A welcome distraction from this..
Eventually it yields and you end up in Turnchapel, with two amazing looking pubs and some real south Devon streets...
And a very large marina with some spectacular gin palaces...
And then it all changes at Mountbatten point - a highly significant site, but it doesn’t look it. This is one of the earliest trade points of Britain with Europe, in the Iron Age, clearly demonstrating it is possible to successfully trade with Europe and not be a member of the EU for some time (whatever your politics). The propellers are here because this is also where the RAF tested the first sea-planes.
And so we start to look back at Plymouth - we
probably spent a sum total of 4 hours here, separated by 6 months. Despite the walk through the industrial bit today, seems like a cool place...
And we are back to our normal friends...
And lots of steps...
Our first beach isn’t the golden sands we remember...
And I am pretty glad I didn’t see this...
But we gradually get back to the great scenery...
And the sun is out!
Time for a bit of lunch and a chill for 5 minutes.
But only 5 as we have to march our way to Wembury to try and get the ferry before 4.
Never get tired of the spectacular scenes...
And we literally run it to Warren Point to try and make the ferry...
But, despite the sign, the slacker ferry boatman has decided to call it a day an hour early and we can’t make it across... not sure ferry drivers are going to be my greatest mates after walking this path...
So, pausing for a mouthful of tea and some chocolate, to relieve our disappointment, we climb back up to Wembury.
Where Damon, the boss of our excellent walking company organisers, Encounter Walking, is waiting to drive us to our accomodation.
Which isn’t bad either...
A hot shower and a pie and a pint is just what the doctor ordered.
We are continuing to raise money for Meningitis Research - very many thanks to all who have donated so far and here is the link if you would like to join them: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/steve-schrier
