Date: 20180630
Time: 9:20 – 16:10
Distance: 26.6 km
Stay: The Tower Inn, Slapton
Walk
Today starts again with a trip on the ferry, over the Kingsbridge Estuary this time. On this side (the south side) of the Coast Path there are many more and larger rivers than on the other side (the north side). I have thought about it carefully, but the explanation is actually very logical. Water always looks for the easiest way, so down. If you look at the map of England, this side (the south side) is at the bottom. That is where the water flows. That is why there are so many rivers on this side of the Coast Path.
After the ferry crossing it continues in a relaxed way. Basically I have an easy day in terms of height. However, there are several parts with a difficult path, lots of stones and rocks in it and occasionally climbing over rocks.
At Gara Rock I take a diversion from the path to walk up for the view. As usual, that adds the necessary height meters to my walk.
From Prawle Point, there is a Coastwatch station here, it goes down and then a few kilometers along the sea with the cliffs above it, a very flat stretch.
Under Prawle Point is a natural arch that only becomes visible when I look back.
Then it goes up again, although that is not too bad. When I walk back into civilization, I arrive at Hallsands, a village that disappeared into the sea in 1917 in a great storm. The ruins of the houses are still visible along the coast.
I pass Hallsands and Lannacombe, but there is nothing to drink anywhere. Only in Beesand I come to the Cricket Inn, finally something to drink (I have enough water with me, but something else and cold is also appreciated).
After that I have a few kilometers to go before I am in Slapton. The last part goes along Lower Ley and Slapton Ley. A rather boring stretch between a road along the beach and the largest natural lake in the south west. The path is very poorly walkable due to large sections with loose sand (I would have been better off walking on the beach).
Eventually I arrive at the Tower Inn in Slapton. It turns out to be closed … But luckily someone shows up so that I can go to my room. Shoes off, slippers on, backpack off and then back a few hundred meters. There was the Queens Arms and that was open 🙂
Weather
Sunny and warm, some clouds in the morning and later in the afternoon. A lot of wind again. The wind was not so friendly today. There were parts of the path, along the cliffs, where I could have walked without wind. At Start Point I was almost blown off my socks. Luckily there was plenty of room there.
Lyric of the day
Today I stay at The Tower Inn, which takes its name from the remaining western tower of The Collegiate Chantry or St Mary (a group of priests who sang for someone’s salvation, in this case apparently in a nice building). So I took a lyric from the old days, Tower by Angel:
Wind is raw, the air is stale
On this cold winter’s night
Sent alone to tell a tale
From the land of Delmite
Journey starts at the edge of town
With the stars as my guide
There’s no one here but my empty thoughts
And the sword by my side
Just a light, from a tower
Burning on from dusk to dawn
Just a light, from a tower
Burning on from dusk to dawn
Sun is leaving the darkened clouds,
As it slips past the hills
Slow moon climbs way up in the sky,
Keeps the heavens so still
Come this far, though I know not why
Said the things I’ve been told
Greedy village that has sent me here
For it’s own pot of gold
Just a light, from a tower
Burning on from dusk to dawn
Just a light, from a tower
Burning on from dusk to dawn
Everywhere the wind did sail,
The castle lies just ahead
Blade is drawn, still I carry on
On my brow a cold sweat.
As I look there upon the hill,
There it stands so tall
Said that stone structured wall of gold,
Will heed the voice of us all.
Just a light, from a tower
Burning on from dusk to dawn
Just a light, from a tower
Burning on from dusk to dawn
Just a light, from a tower
Burning on from dusk to dawn
Just a light, from a tower
Stands the victor and his gold,
And that’s all!!!
