Welcome to the world Risto Madhava Aithal who was born at 2:02 this morning! My newest nephew... 😀
Today stood out like a sore thumb when reviewing the plan. It was always going to be a long day - for most people, it is split over two days - one of 10 miles, and another, of 7 1/2. So the question will be, how tough will it turn out to be and are we “walked in” enough to handle it?
Luckily, the sun is shining to clear the frost (!) as we make our way down to the sea front along the River Sid. I knew I would have a problem keeping a lid on the amount of photos today!
The esplanade looks fantastic in the sunshine.
Our first task is to climb this big boy... the first part of the walk is marked as “severe” in our walking guide...
Nice climb to get the calves working and soon we are on top of the world for the first time today. But feels much higher than previous climbs...
As we have come to expect from the SWCP, lots of big ups and downs on the severe sections. The sun is hot already, despite the wind.
Steeep at the top...
The views are simply stunning... great rewards for the exertion...
And 15 minutes later we are looking up at that bench from the beach...
Harry is eating up the stairs...
I don’t think I will ever get tired of views like this...
Suddenly, everything changes, the sun has definitely gone in and it is cold!
We can see rain all around us...
Somehow, we avoid getting a drenching and end up back down another descent to the beach at Branscombe.
It’s brightening up again...
The rock has visibly changed from the red rock at the start of the Jurassic Coast bit. We must have jumped a few thousand years - I don’t mind admitting that it is starting to feel like it 😀
As we look back coming into the village of Beer, it looks like a good day’s work already. Fantastic contrasting rock and stunning views.
We glimpse our first sighting of Seaton - the end of the first section of today.
Beer couldn’t be more “Devon” if it tried. I definitely should have stopped for a pint here but didn’t!
Leaving Beer, feels weird...
Next stop Seaton which is nestled between two massive cliffs...
We get down onto the beach and walk along it...
Pausing only for a sandwich (and to taste which wine they should put on their menu!!) at a cafe at the head of the promenade, we walk down onto Seaton...
...and nothing keeps us in Seatown so we are straight through to start the next leg...
Which couldn’t be more different from what we have become used to... the first bit is (another) tough climb through the gold course. Great views back down behind us...
Since we got into East Devon the inland countryside views haven’t been shabby either.
This is much more countryside like we are used to from home...
But with steps!
And soon it feels like we are marching through tropical rainforest or jungle...
Decorated by nice things...
It felt like we were on a desert island when we suddenly had a break in the trees which revealed another deserted beach...
This part of the path is called the “Undercliffs” because that is where we are for 7 1/2 Miles. It was created by various landslides and really feels like an English jungle!
Stairs still no problem for Harry...
My new favourite place in the world, until tomorrow...
Finally, very tired and looking forward to getting into our room, we reach Lyme Regis, and a game of bowls...
We are familiar with this from different times but it looks fantastic today.
Home sweet home, for the night. We are very tired, emotional and a bit sore - but it was definitely worth it! What an amazing day! Let’s see how we feel in the morning...
We are continuing to raise money for Meningitis Research - very many thanks to all who have donated so far. Please CLICK HERE or copy and paste this link if you would be so kind as to join them: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/steve-schrier
