Day 13 - Hartland Quay to Clovelly - 11.5 miles

Having studied the timetables for his various connections back to Oxford, Neil had time to walk a couple of miles before  returning to catch the bus from Hartland.

It'd been really great to have the opportunity to walk and talk over a couple of days - testament to a 55 year friendship.  

At Blackpool Mill he headed back up to town and I continued on my way to Clovelly.

After a short distance, just above Smoothlands, I walked under some low hawthorn bushes and discovered that they have a strong and very unhelpful mutual attraction! Ten minutes later, after I'd had to crawl along a sheep track to get out of the thicket, I rejoined the path.

By Hartland Point, I'd regained my composure (and the air was slightly less blue) so I deserved a stop at the cafe

and had THE BEST coffee so far.

The owner, Vanessa told me that the business has been in her family ownership for the last 40 years but that Storm Eunice had destroyed their previous building. With their smart new premises, great coffee and fabulous views out to the horizon

 I think they they should rebrand as a "coffee destination"

As I rounded Hartland Point,  with brooding clouds and gusty wind it was good to get past the headland.

Marcel Duchamp meets the Devon coastline!!

A little further along the way I met Karen and Dave from Yapton near Arundel ( It's a small world)  Tehy we're on their way to Bude. It's interesting that when you meet walkers heading in the opposite direction, it's an opportunity to share recommendations. 

The cliffs are marked with a number of plaques commemorating ships or aircraft lost during the 1st or 2nd World wars.

At Gawlish Cliff, I met metal sculptors Peach and Bill and their Bedlington whippets, Milou and Noodle. They both work and exhibit locally and  had the loveliest address, Sausage Cottage!!! 

I then caught up with a team of walkers that we'd met the previous evening at Hartland Quay -

 Steve, Nina, Clare, Mike, Fishy ( yup, that's right Fishy) and Caroline. 

At the bottom of Windbury Head, I got talking to Kate and Peregrine. 

Kate had a very attractive carved walking stick. She runs a wild bird rescue hospital and at any one time will have upward of 20 birds in varying stages of recuperation. With all their respective feeding regimes she explained that it's a full time job.

Descending through the woods at Mouth Mill, I met Roger and his artist wife Jenny. We had a great chat about civil engineering, Dubai and midwifery while admiring the banks of magnificent bluebells. 

To get a good picture of Blackchurch rock, I'd been really lucky with the tide.

I finished the walk into Clovelly in the company of a group of teachers John, Fiona, Mark and Sally all originally from the West Midlands who'd moved to Devon. John is an exponent of meeting the requirements of the Nat Curiculum through using the power and strengths of taking education outdoors. Brilliant! 

Staying at The Red Lion.

I signed off the evening - until the bar eventually closed - with a great group of locals Mark, Mick, Eileen and Hannah all living and animatedly supporting the village of Clovelly. What better way of enjoying a Friday evening! 

End of day note to self....avoid Hawthorn bushes and STOP talking to lovely people or I'll never get there!!

Total distance so far = 153.6 miles

Total ascent so far = 24 993 feet