Hello All
I spent last night in Barnstable as a very grateful guest of Brenda (and Rosie the golden retriever). Brenda had kindly offered me a bed for the night and also dinner followed by breakfast in the morning. IT WAS BLISS. I think I need to be very careful about having spells of luxury on this trip because I do have to sleep in the van sometimes. We sat and watched Country File and Antique Roadshow together before I turned in for the sleep of a God.
This morning I headed for Instow and found a great place to park the van. Then I caught the bus back to Braunton for a 10.30 start. This was quite a bit later than I had intended and I was a bit worried that I would finish late. I needn't have worried. As is traditional on this walk, it was raining as I started and continued for the majority of the 13 miles of tedium that is the walk along the Tarka trail from Braunton to Instow.
At 10.30 I stepped onto tarmac and I didn't leave the black stuff for 99% of the walk. I took some photos and I hope that they demonstrate how it was:
There was about 12 miles of this:
Walking on flat tarmac is exhausting both physically and mentally. I had on my walking shoes to help with the physical element and listened to my Ipod to keep me from going tarmac crazy. For those who are interested, this is what I listened to :
Mendelssohn - Octet; Some Mozart piano concertos and two Carl Neilson symphonies. I was so engrossed with the music in my head that I missed a turning and a chance to walk a small part of path beside the river which would have been more pleasant.
About 3 miles into the walk, I heard a noise from behind and a man ran past me pushing a bright orange wheelbarrow with a single large log in it. Luckily I had my phone in my hand having just taken a photo of the path.
Very soon after, an old bloke wearing headphones was walking towards me, so I got his attention.
I asked, "Are you a local and have you any idea why that chap is running with that wheelbarrow?"
"I am a local and I haven't a clue. He must be a nutter. It takes all sorts I suppose"
"Oh well never mind" I said, "Anyway, enjoy your walk."
"Enjoy your walk"
I didn't see the chap with the bright orange wheelbarrow again.
Pretty impressive I think you will agree. I might try it again another day.
I was very pleased to find the kiosk on the riverfront, so I asked the young girl who was serving if I could have my photo taken behind the counter. She looked surprised, but after I explained, she happily agreed. In fact she was really nice about it. But she did look pretty scared at first.
I told her she had made my day. What a laugh!
If you have been enjoying these blogs why not pass on the link to a friend or friends, so that they can be equally enthralled. Share the joy.
robsetterswcp.blogspot.com
Take it easy.
Rob
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/RobSetter
I spent last night in Barnstable as a very grateful guest of Brenda (and Rosie the golden retriever). Brenda had kindly offered me a bed for the night and also dinner followed by breakfast in the morning. IT WAS BLISS. I think I need to be very careful about having spells of luxury on this trip because I do have to sleep in the van sometimes. We sat and watched Country File and Antique Roadshow together before I turned in for the sleep of a God.
This morning I headed for Instow and found a great place to park the van. Then I caught the bus back to Braunton for a 10.30 start. This was quite a bit later than I had intended and I was a bit worried that I would finish late. I needn't have worried. As is traditional on this walk, it was raining as I started and continued for the majority of the 13 miles of tedium that is the walk along the Tarka trail from Braunton to Instow.
At 10.30 I stepped onto tarmac and I didn't leave the black stuff for 99% of the walk. I took some photos and I hope that they demonstrate how it was:
There was about 12 miles of this:
Walking on flat tarmac is exhausting both physically and mentally. I had on my walking shoes to help with the physical element and listened to my Ipod to keep me from going tarmac crazy. For those who are interested, this is what I listened to :
Mendelssohn - Octet; Some Mozart piano concertos and two Carl Neilson symphonies. I was so engrossed with the music in my head that I missed a turning and a chance to walk a small part of path beside the river which would have been more pleasant.
About 3 miles into the walk, I heard a noise from behind and a man ran past me pushing a bright orange wheelbarrow with a single large log in it. Luckily I had my phone in my hand having just taken a photo of the path.
Very soon after, an old bloke wearing headphones was walking towards me, so I got his attention.
I asked, "Are you a local and have you any idea why that chap is running with that wheelbarrow?"
"I am a local and I haven't a clue. He must be a nutter. It takes all sorts I suppose"
"Oh well never mind" I said, "Anyway, enjoy your walk."
"Enjoy your walk"
I didn't see the chap with the bright orange wheelbarrow again.
_________________________
To help with my boredom, I thought I would see how many flowers I could photograph along the walk in a ten minute period. Random I know. Here are the results:
Pretty impressive I think you will agree. I might try it again another day.
_______________________________
And now a treat for all you "Where's Robbie" fans. Today we have two, yes two pictures:
And
I told her she had made my day. What a laugh!
__________________________________________
If you have been enjoying these blogs why not pass on the link to a friend or friends, so that they can be equally enthralled. Share the joy.
robsetterswcp.blogspot.com
Take it easy.
Rob
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/RobSetter
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