Day 38 – Welcombe Mouth to Clovelly

Day 38 – Welcombe Mouth to Clovelly

Comfortable night, although John announces a further finger-burning incident in his room. Ian arrives at 8:10 (bringing 3 bottles of cider for us) and it’s back to Welcombe Mouth for an 8:45 start. Warm and sunny for the first immediate (and steep) climb of the day, but a bit of cloud cools things down for most of the morning. Lundy far clearer today as we progress to Hartland Quay. The further climbs between there and Hartland Point keep reminding us of the refreshment provided by Ian and, by wonderful happenstance, we encounter a couple (Swiss) sitting outside a camper van in the Hartland Point car park who are able to provide a bottle opener. Their hospitality extends to offering muffins to accompany the cider, and it seems churlish to refuse. Duly refreshed, we set off again after 10 minutes along four miles of relatively flat cliff top, followed by a couple of steep(ish) descents and climbs, before finishing at Clovelly just after 3:00. Slight confusion over how to get down to the harbour side pub where Ian will be collecting us, but speedily resolved – albeit the cobbles of the steep hill down to the harbour aren’t the most welcome of underfoot conditions after a 15 mile walk. However, we arrive at the Red Lion in time for cider and crab sandwiches before Ian’s arrival at 3:40. Ben provides the conversation for Ian in the front seat while Gary dozes and John sleeps (but doesn’t snore) in the back. Get to Tiverton just before 5:00 so not long to wait for trains home