North Devon - Day 9 - Hartland Quay to Bude

Monday 8th July 2019

Day 9 - This was the hardest stretch of this years long distance walk - Apparently it is actually considered to be the hardest leg of the entire 630 miles of the SWCP. So, we approached this with an air of excitement as we new it would be more of a challenge. We were down to two today having said goodbye to Rob, Arch, Brian & Robin at Hartland Quay.

Ten significant climbs were negotiated today, in intense heat and with the sun beating down - but it was great, the views were spectacular and the walking was as enjoyable as only a hard walk can give - Probably our favourite day of the walk and it was on a par with some of the North Cornwall brutes that we did five years ago.

A great way to end another summers long distance walk

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Distance: 15.9 miles

Duration: 7:30 hours

Ascent: 3871 ft

Difficulty: Very Hard

Accompanied By: Davy

Weather: Hot & Sunny

3D outline of route

Parking

Goodbye's said.... we leave Hollywood

This part of the walk is familiar.... I wonder why ?

Looking back along the coastline you can just make out the hotel

Welcombe Mouth

Somerset - Devon - Now Cornwall

You can see how the path goes up and over each one of these natural obstacles - Cornwall coastal walking at its best

Clear as mud !

Cornacky Cliff

Gull Rock

Lower Sharpnose Point behind Stanbury Mouth

Bit more of a gradual ascent on the next climb up at Duckpool

Looking back to Duckpool and Steeple Point

Warren Gutter

Sandy Mouth beach ahead

Sandy Mouth - Great place for an ice cream stop. Actually this was a superb beach and so quiet - it had everything, wide expanse of golden sands, rock pools, peace and quiet, and sunshine - plus a really nice café serving iced tea & ice creams - perfect stop before the glory walk into Bude.

Our journey is nearing its end - First sight of our destination - Bude

Onto the beach again

The pretty canal at Breakwater Road

This felt really good walking along the canal - We started our North Cornwall coast walk at this very spot five years ago - if I remember it was also hot & sunny.

Another one completed ! First pint in the Brendon Arms (just as we did 5 years earlier) and Wimbledon was on the large screens as before - Deja Vu. That did taste good.

Smog T-Shirts on display for the record books - What a great trip

As we enjoyed a night on the pop - strange bird formations gathered above us - reminded me of the movie 'The Birds' ! PS had the best Pizza ever in the 'La Bocca Pizza Kitchen' certainly worth a mention

One last photo as our thoughts were drawn to the long journey home tomorrow. Where to next year Dave ? So many options......