First things first

I’m so annoyed at myself. I’ve managed to lose another pair of socks. I feel like such an idiot. Especially after going on about my “three pairs of socks” system. When I realised, I walked back about 2 miles to see if I could find them, but unfortunately I was unsuccessful. I either lost then when I was getting ready for my estuary crossing or they’ve got caught on a bush when I’ve been walking. Either way it’s irritating. I can’t stand wasting money, and these were almost brand new, and I really can’t stand people who drop litter. I then go and distribute my socks along the pretty amazing south west coastal path.

I was discussing with Jenny if it’s still littering if the item is dropped by accident or if it’s of value. For example you wouldn’t call it littering if you dropped your mobile phone. It’s funny, because I reacted almost as badly as I would have done if I’d dropped my iPhone so maybe I need to get it into perspective.

Getting over Erme

I’m so glad I decided to paddle over the river rather than walking round. Not because it’s shorter but because it’s just another unique part of this walk. It never occurred to me when vaguely planning this adventure that I’d have to embark on ferries and paddling. Not major I know but it’s really adding to the adventure for me.

The instructions at the crossing point say you can go over one hour either side of low tide. That meant the earliest I could cross was about 3:15 if I’m remembering correctly. However I spoke to a lady walking her dogs a bit earlier than that time and she said she thought I could cross then. That was about 2:45. A man then confirmed and said because of all the rain it wouldn’t get any lower so now was my chance. So, shoes and socks off, leggings pulled up over my knees, poles stored at the side of my pack, spare socks probably tossed on the ground, and off I went.

You could feel the current as you walked but it was nothing too major. The deepest it got was just above my knees. The only difficult part was not slipping on the big stones on the bottom but I just took my time. I know it was just a paddle but I really enjoyed it. I got to the other side all intact, dried my feet and got ready to walk again. Definitely worth the wait.

Battisborough to Hillsea Point

I knew I wouldn’t make much progress today due to Erme and because I needed to get another ferry at Noss Mayo which stops running at 4pm. There was no way I could make 4pm so I decided to get near to the ferry which should then allow me to get through Plymouth tomorrow. So it was always destined to be a low mileage day. If the tides had been different maybe I could have made much better progress.

I enjoyed the walk until I realised I’d lost my socks. Some of the paths along this section haven’t been looked after very well so I’m glad I didn’t have bare legs but most were ok. The first couple of miles are through farmland but I did keep finding myself looking back at the views from where I’d come. They looked spectacular although there was a constant reminder of how little progress I’d made.

After farmland you go past a static caravan park and then onto on kind of nature reserve which circles Noss Mayo. I’m not really sure what it is but the paths get wider and there are lots of looking out points with names like Stoke Point and Hilsea Point. The views here are worth taking your time to enjoy as you get a panoramic of the sea as the path bends round.

I was getting concerned before I got here that I wouldn’t be able to find a suitable spot to camp. There had been lots of farmland before which is not suitable and even when I arrived on this reserve there were sheep grazing so, again, not really suitable. However, I then went through a gate and starting seeing multiple potential sites.

It was only 6:30 and I was sitting down and waiting for it to get darker when a really friendly man with the most excitable dog you’ve ever met asked me if I had finished walking for the day. I said I had and was going to camp somewhere and he told me of a really good spot a hundred yards away. He told me the ferry started at 10am and we chatted about other walkers he’d met. He was really nice.

Camp

I walked down to where he suggested and it was perfect. It always seems to be like this. I can’t find anything and start to worry and then a good spot just arrives.

I sat watching out to sea for an hour as boats went into Plymouth harbour and a helicopter flew around (I was sure they were spying on me to check I wasn’t wild camping!) and then set up for the night.

I’m about an hours walk to the ferry from here so l will be there for when he starts at 10am. That’s the plan anyway.