Today we left the coast behind and headed inland with mixed feelings. I love coastal walks and we will not see the sea again until the east coast of Scotland (if we make it) but I am not sorry that the terrain is going to be easier – we hope! We left Westward Ho and made our way through roads and footpaths to Bideford where we joined the Tarka Trail for the next 9 miles, a cycle track on a disused railway line which was completely flat! The weather was perfect for walking and the sun actually showed it’s face briefly towards the end of the walk.

It was good walking, and we enjoyed a break and lunch at a visitor’s centre by the trail. The only downside is that David has to put up with my complaints of sore shoulders as the rucksack seems to get heavier as the miles pass! We arrived at a lovely hotel in Barnstaple where we could relax before heading up on to Exmoor tomorrow.

A Backward Glance

Today the coastal mud kissed our heels goodbye as we headed upwards again through narrow lanes towards our connection with the ‘Tarka Trail’. The trail is paved and flat following the River Taw towards our luxury lodging in Barnstaple. Although pleasant, there was a definite sense of acquiescence along the walk. We passed the site of East Yelland coal fired Power Station which was at its peak performance in the mid 1970’s until closure of Welsh mines in the 80’s from where the coal was shipped. The path we were treading was once pounded by the great iron wheels of steam engines pulling coal and heavy machinery into the heart of an industrial complex feeding energy, wealth and opportunity across the whole of North Devon. What those gritty, tough workers would make of the green clean vilification of their smokey furnaces they proudly worked would be interesting. ‘Leisure Industry’, the ubiquitous lie and oxymoron that’s displaced all their honest toil, invention and manufacture is now vaulted over them in contempt. On notices describing the local history and activities, they explain that they didn’t know any better; I disagree (but I’ve gotta get me one of those new fangled electric bikes though – man do they go!)