Tag Archives: coast

144 Woolacombe to Lee Bay

I walk along cliffs where pirates and wreckers once lurked. Continue reading

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142(b) Braunton Burrows and Saunton Sands

I am buzzed by a yellow helicopter while walking across miles of empty sands, along the edge of the largest dune system in England. At the end of the trek, for a moment, I regret the path not taken. Continue reading

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142(a) Chivenor to Braunton Marsh

Horsey island is a beautiful open space of water and marshes. But I have to watch my feet continually. The bank is eroded in places, with gaps and overhanging mini-cliffs. Continue reading

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141(am) Instow, Barnstaple, Chivenor

I pass rusting wrecks and abandoned jetties. A sign tells me it is a “Wildlife Refuge” – although I see no sign of any life, wild or otherwise. Inland there are wet areas and clumps of grass. And a marching army of poles.
Continue reading

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140(pm) Appledore to Bideford and Instow

In a small square is a statue of Charles Kingsley, historian and novelist, famous for The Water Babies and Westward Ho!. He spent some of his childhood years in Clovelly and some in the village of Barnack, close to my home town of Stamford. Continue reading

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139a Clovelly to Buck’s Mills

On Hobby Drive, through the trees I get a sudden view of Clovelly. I am surprised to discover how little progress I have made in 30 minutes of easy walking. Continue reading

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138b Clovelly

Clovelly is an impossible village. Ridiculously steep slopes. Inaccessible. Beautiful. The only safe harbour between Boscastle and the waters of the Bideford/Barnstable estuary. Continue reading

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138 Hartland Point to Clovelly

I wonder if I have been spoiled for ever. Cornwall was so extraordinarily beautiful, perhaps every walk from now on with be disappointing. Continue reading

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136b Marsland Mouth to Hartland Quay

And here is a little desk in front of large windows. And notepaper, pens, water, glasses. It looks like a study. Somewhere a poet might sit. A modern “Hawker’s Hut”. Continue reading

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136a Morwenstow to Marsland Mouth

Robert Stephen Hawker, one-time Vicar of Morwenstow, built this hut from wood scavenged from shipwrecks. He was also a poet and opium smoker. Continue reading

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