June 16, 2017

Bigbury on Sea

I walked from Wembury to Bigbury on Sea, 21km, my longest completed day without help I think. All of the days are beginning to blur into one at this point. I have a big problem with finding accommodation now that I am in South Devon. Most places are booked especially on the weekends. Anyway back to the walk. The weather was good all day - hot and sunny with a nice sea breeze. After a short walk at the start I got the ferry across the River Yealm to Noss Mayo. To get the ferry you have to signal to the ferryman on the other side by flipping a signal board from a half circle to a full circle, then he comes across to get you. From the ferry it was easy walking until the gently undulating path changed to some steeper ups and downs. When I reached the River Erme at Mothecombe I had to wade across. You have to time your crossing to a period between one hour on either side of low tide and then wade across in calf deep water. Lots of fun.

The ferry crossing point on the River Yealm.

Once across the River Erme the path became more difficult with several headlands to struggle over. It was all worthwhile because of the views of the many small rocky coves I saw as I walked past. I arrived at Bigbury on Sea at around 7:00pm and was helped by the lady of the house to find a place to stay the next night. Her husband drove me to holiday park at Challaborough so I could get supper, but I had to walk back.

The site of the river crossing on the River Erne

One of the coves