Today the forecast of rain all day was pretty accurate! We donned all our waterproof gear and when Matt dropped us back at the cove, we set off up the hill. Again it was pretty strenuous, and for much of the day the views were practically non-existent in the rain and mist! The paths were slippery and muddy, and at one point I landed on my bottom – nothing hurt other than my dignity! Only the keen walkers were out today, apart from one group of youngsters clothed in bin bags for protection against the rain!

We stopped for lunch at a pleasant pub just outside Widemouth Bay, and I felt rather embarrassed to enter in our very muddy state, but no one seemed to notice. As we finally approached Bude, I insisted on taking the road (which runs parallel to the coast path) as I had had enough of mud! We decided to have a rest day tomorrow, to get our clothes clean!

A Backward Glance

Leaving the comfortable farm lodgings and walking back into the cold wet world we’ve chosen to traverse seemed counter intuitive today. From the very start at Crackington Haven it was steep muddy climbing, little conversation with only our internal thoughts providing the needed distraction from the elements. Unfortunately for me, that was an even drearier place to find myself in. So, to cheer myself up I started to think about work and how to possibly rob a bank to pay for all this madness. We met a bloke called Mark on the way who was just taking his dog out for a walk. The said hound just stood shivering at his feet; I’ve never seen a sadder looking creature in my life before. Probably the only canine in the land terrified by the word “walkies”. Then the nutcases. First a young girl running, who from all appearances looked far too intelligent to be doing something so crazy. Next a group of people in daps and tee shirts who I’d expect nothing less from. Finally, a genuine ‘Mad Hatter’ carrying an enormous Flag! He was a walking, talking, badge bearing, hat wearing, big flag waving anarchist, totally bonkers – a man after my own heart in fact. His name was Johnny and he was outrageously at peace with everything and everyone, but just a bit scared of the ‘Queens of Hearts’ put in charge of us all. In this mad mad world it’s people like Johnny that make most sense to me. His Flag was big enough to put on the roof of Buckingham Palace, and let’s face it, where it is ultimately destined to be! Thankfully, no amount of wind and rain can put out the sunshine some people shed on us along the way.