Day 14 - Clovelly to Bideford - 14 miles

Chris and Kirsten had said they could join me for another day's walking and we'd agreed to meet at the top of Clovelly at 10.00. My hotel was at the bottom!
An early morning steep climb out of Clovelly could kill a lesser man!  So at least that was my fighting talk over for the day! 
The pretiness of Clovelly speaks for itself. It was lovely to see it in the early morning. I suspect it would be very different when the hoardes descend.

The silence and the morning bird song along the Hobby Drive was gorgeous

We'd met fewer walkers this morning but as we got closer to Westward Ho  we met Gerri and Andrew from Rilla Mill - they'd already covered a good distance that morning and had a full day ahead.
 They asked me to look out for their friend Kim - also on her way to J o'G , a few days ahead of me.

A repeating feature of the coast path is the regular ascents and descents. At any point you may be on a cliff top with breathtaking views out to sea and for miles along the coast 
but then within minutes the path comes back down sometimes to sea level. 

Just before setting off on the long climb back up from sea level, we were overtaken by Mike from Instow.
 He's training for his next Ultra marathon in a few days and has been raising funds for Downs syndrome and Alzheimer research charities. Well done Mike.
 
At Abbotsham, Chris and Kirsten were going to push on to Westward Ho and I cut inland to cross the River Torridge at Bideford.
Chris and Kirsten are great walking companions and with thought provoking conversations with like-minded souls the miles pass very quickly. To walk and talk  is one of life's real pleasures. 

It was a strangely emotional feeling to be on my own and leave the Coast path where everyone you meet either walking or working seems to have a common reference point. And invariably a common subject for discussion, how steep, how long, how far.
I sense walking inland is going to be different. 
But Ahhhh!!! Here comes the garlic! 
There be aliens!!!  Walking below the A39 near Raleigh Hill.
Crossing the bridge in Bideford. 
The burghers of Bideford have done rather well with their street lighting. Across the river, I could convince myself it looked rather romantic at night! 

And ah! the redemptive qualities of a heated towel rail - with washing done ready for another day!! 

Total distance so far = 167.6 miles
Total ascent so far = 27 447 feet

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