20180519 Combe Martin – Woolacombe

Date: 20180519

Time: 9:25 – 18:05

Distance: 27.3 km

Stay: The Imperial B&B, Woolacombe

Walk

After packing everything and having a good breakfast, the 4^th stage of the South West Coast Path is in the pipeline.

Immediately at the beginning in Combe Martin I meet the three musketeers again. What a timing.

Up to Ilfracombe the route is not too hard, not too much climbing and fantastic views. I cross a campsite among other things. Also in this first part there are plenty of possibilities to get something to drink (or eat).
Ilfracombe is full of tourists. Still, I find a quiet terrace (at the back of the restaurant) with a nice view of the sea.
In the harbor is a very large (one of the largest in England) sculpture of a half skinned woman. Weird guys, the English … (I know, I know, bad translation of a typical Dutch Obelix joke).

Just outside Ilfracombe I meet another Coast Path walker, Davey, whom I have come across earlier. He walks the Coast Path with everything on his back and camps everywhere. We talk for a moment and then we each go further at our own pace.

After Ilfracombe it’s on to Torrs Walk, a decent climb.

Just after Torrs Walk I meet the three musketeers again. Apparently they caught up with me when I was having a pint. They are doubting which way to go. I also doubt because there is no marking and the description I have is not entirely clear. Luckily my GPS brings the solution and I go in the right direction so they can follow.

The part after Ilfracombe is quite heavy again. Not because of the altitude, but because of the many falls and rises. Eventually I arrive at Morte Point, a rock formation that protrudes into the sea. From here the beaches of Woolacombe are clearly visible. It is not very far anymore to Woolacombe. That last part, however, is still quite hard because it is going up steeply before I am on the road and then it goes down again.
At the end, however, the Red Barn Inn (very very red) waits with  a nice selection of beers …

Weather

Today it was again great weather, sunny and sometimes even a bit too hot. Somewhat the same as yesterday, only slightly warmer. No jacket needed today.

Lyric of the day

Because he also keeps on walking, today The Wizard by Black Sabbath:

Misty morning, clouds in the sky
Without warning, a wizard walks by
Casting his shadow, weaving his spell
Funny clothes, tinkling bell

Never talking
Just keeps walking
Spreading his magic

Evil power disappears
Demons worry when the wizard is near
He turns tears into joy
Everyone’s happy when the wizard walks by

Never talking
Just keeps walking
Spreading his magic

Sun is shining, clouds have gone by
All the people give a happy sigh
He has passed by, giving his sign
Left all the people feeling so fine

Never talking
Just keeps walking
Spreading his magic

Photos