SWCP: Bude to Crackington Haven

 

So, finally I’m doing this leg. I’ve been plotting it since the autumn and it was postponed from end of Feb because of my knee accident in Austria and then again from last week because we went to NI instead. I dashed off to Paddington at 5pm yesterday and did the four-hour train ride from there on a fairly packed train that gradually emptied out. Arrived at Okehampton youth hostel, right next to the station, to be pleasantly surprised as I’d forgotten that my room had its own bathroom. Slept pretty well as it was quiet. In the morning at 7am I was amazed to see sunshine outside my window. Then relieved to see that my 7.30 bus was actually ready and waiting - you never really know, until it turns up.

Then a half hour ride to Bude, with a commanding view from the top deck. I was almost the only passenger and it’s still a £2 flat fare to go wherever you like in Cornwall, so the bus company made a loss. Dropped my bag of non-essentials at the very friendly B&B and set off into a warm day, gradually shedding clothes as it hotted up. Managed to buy sun cream from a beach shop after a couple of hours. The weather was gorgeous, the birds were singing and there was a cool breeze. 

Locals walking their dogs - a canine idyll

The only working canal in the UK that meets the sea

The storm tower at Compass Point, overlooking
Summerleaze beach. Built in 1830 but newly restored.

Overlooking Bude Bay

Lots of people on Widemouth Beach (pronounced widd-muth, to rhyme with Exmouth).

I would say today’s walk was just OK. A lot of it was viewless and some of it was hideously muddy - I was stepping and sliding about all over the place trying not to get mud in my boots as it was deep and liquid. Perhaps that’s what gaiters are for? I kept doing a relay with a bloke who advised stepping straight through it as that was the best way to protect knees and ankles. 

At least managed to save my laces

Brief pause by babbling brook.
Still pink from mud ordeal.

Shortly before 2 o’clock I realised that I had a chance of catching the 2.45 bus back and that if I missed it, I’d be stuck in Crackington Haven till the next bus 2 hours later. So I upped the speed (lots of upward steps unfortunately) and ended up running the last half mile to make it in time. Legs like jelly.

About to run up these - relay man in the distance
 with his lovely dog

Great relief when the bus appeared. I was bloody exhausted. Had also not eaten my lunch yet or drunk much of my water. After half a hour sitting on the bus, my legs had stiffened up and I staggered back to the B&B. Back in my room, I had a lovely bath (the tub is in the bedroom!) and ate some tinned fish which has given me a tummy-ache for the rest of the evening. Had a sandwich from home for dinner as consequently not feeling hungry. 

Mmmm

Feet were OK today, more or less. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. Think it will be less warm.