Home from home
Trip Start
Unknown
1
87
106
Trip End
Ongoing
Morchard Bishop, England, United Kingdom
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Post Office in Dewsteignton had the map for today's walk but no further, so I decided to risk relying on the guide. I bought cheese and apples and an expensive bar of chocolate to cheer me up in case it turned out I should have bought the map. I asked for the smallest piece of Cheddar there was:
"But it’s mild", said the lady.” I could cut one of the others in half for you…”So she did. Another act of kindness.
I was very quickly out of the National Park, after which the guide and waymarking kept me perfectly on course. There was quite a lot on road, but almost entirely very minor road with very little traffic. Reaching a passing place, I paused thinking I could hear a car, but decided it was only bees. Twenty yards further on a Bradfords Building Supplies lorry came up behind me, clearly designed to be able to fit into a Devon lane but only just. I flattened myself into the hedge and the driver pulled in his wing mirror. Just as well I’ve lost weight.
The bit off road was frequently plagued with thistles and nettles, but I managed not to get stung and came through with nothing worse than feet covered in sheep muck. I didn’t meet a single other walker all day, which seems hard to believe on such a great path. However the landlady of my B&B tells me that her last two sets of guests had to give up early, one lot with sunburn and the other with blisters. I hope there’s no truth in the saying that things go in threes, or presumably I’m the next to fall.
This is the second house I came to on entering the village, so I haven’t explored further. I was offered a cup of tea on arrival and the Sun to read while I waited for it, and there is a cuddly duck on the bed. All this for £22.00. I suspect there is also a washing line, so might give my dingy washing a bit of an airing. Then it’ll be off to see what the pub has to offer. Tomorrow will be a short walk to Witheridge, where there probably won’t be a chemist or bookshop and I’ll get the bus into Tiverton or Barnstaple. I wonder if my bus pass will work. Perhaps they’ve been axed while I’ve been away…
Comments
How interesting to hear about all those folk that you met yest and today. Very Pilgrim's Progressy. But strange not to meet a soul walking on Sheep Dag Path. I had a cold sausage for lunch too!!
Sounds as though the directions for getting around here are more reliable than in Spain. Glad to know we can do some things well. Glad alos to hear you had such a positive day.