I had a nice, controlled start to the day. I’d told the lady who owned the campsite that I’d pick up my battery bank at 8am. It was only 7am so I had plenty of time to get washed and pack up all my stuff. Then I’d grab my battery bank on the way out.

I walked along the estuary towards Teignmouth, bought some sandwiches for later, sat at a bench for a while to eat breakfast where the ferry would have been, and then headed off towards Torquay.

I have to admit, I was slightly disappointed to not use the ferry. If it’d been open earlier I’d have considered a return journey just for the sake of it. But as it wasn’t I couldn’t really justify hanging around for 2 hours waiting for it to open.

So reluctantly, I left the ferry for another day.

Mostly forgotten

The walk from Teignmouth is really nice. A little challenging in places, but enjoyable. I can’t say I recall much of it from before. All I really remember was camping in the woods next to Torquay but that was quite a distance away. Maybe I’d been in such a rush last time I hadn’t taken in all of my surroundings.

I was keen to push on this time to try to get past all the built up areas. Camping is better when you’re in the middle of nowhere. Town camping is not so relaxing.

The weather was better this time, maybe that made the walk more enjoyable. Although I don’t like to think of myself as being so shallow as to need nice weather.

I would definitely recommend the section between Teignmouth and Torquay. There is a lot of undulation on the path but you can tell the effort that has gone into maintaining it. If you’re into towns then I imagine Torquay is worth a visit as well but, as it was a busy bank holiday, I was keen to get through that part as quickly as possible.

Fines in the post

Just before heading into Torquay I witnessed a whole row of cars parked on a blind bend and on double yellow lines. Now, as you know, I’ve recently started bending the rules to enable me to wild camp. But this was crazy. Ignoring the danger of it, how could these people not think they’d get a parking ticket. I guess maybe safety in numbers. So, if visiting, beware that it might be difficult to park on busy and nice days.

I met a couple walking the other way on the path just after this. They were really nice. I don’t quite understand how we know when to stop and talk and how we know when to just say hi and carry on. I’m not sure if it’s something I do, or they do, or both. I don’t know. I’m glad I stopped this time though. It was a nice chat.

I told them I wanted to get beyond Brixham and their faces indicated that it may not be possible, although they did point out the terrain was much flatter compared with the start of my day. I knew I could stop short if possible so I was in a calm mode.

Dark clouds

I was feeling so happy that I’d be able to fly through Torquay and Paignton today and it would be dry. Last time was horrendous. This time, as well as it being dry, I’d be on a mission to get through. Before I’d been procrastinating, not being sure what to do. I think I took a few hours just dithering.

Today was much better. And those places aren’t so bad. They’re quite nice really. It was funny though. Because as I approached Paignton dark clouds formed overhead and it got quite cold. A lady walking her dog asked me if I was camping and she hoped the weather stayed dry for me. She said she’d thought – “the poor man”. I must admit I’d have felt a bit miffed if after feeling so confident I suddenly got a soaking.

Going my way

It stayed dry. I wizzed through. Everything was good. I thought I was easily going to get past Brixham and camp out in the countryside. Although I did note that it was a little further than I thought

I had covered a fair distance as well so thought maybe I should hold short after all. Plus it might be better to get breakfast and supplies for tomorrow in Brixham.

To solidify this, about 1.5 miles from the town I got speaking to a local man out with his young son. I told him my plan of getting beyond Brixham and he suggested a place in some woods, a few hundred yards from where we were, might be better as pushing through Brixham might leave me walking in the dark.

To my surprise, I took his advice. He told me I wouldn’t be bothered by anyone there, and I quickly found myself somewhere to stop. I even put the tent up while it was still light.

Now I am getting brave.