The sky looked dark and threatening towards the north Devon coast where we were
heading for our walk from Duckpool to Morwenstow. Sure enough the heavens opened
until we arrived at a very busy car park. Then the sun shone, perfect weather for a coastal
walk, the colours were amazing. The light sparked on the blue blue sea reflected from the
sky with its fluffy clouds and the vibrant greens of the trees and hedges. Layers were
soon removed after the first climb. Past the rather threatening white dishes of the radio
station. What do they listen for? The first deep Coombe was Stanbury beach tempting to
stop for coffee but we decided to press on up to find a wonderful grassy spot on the cliff
top.
We met several long distance SW Coast path walkers. One rather disgruntled chap with a huge pack and a circular pop up tent slung over his shoulder. He was originally from South Africa, his country ruined by political correctness he said and ours getting as bad. He wasn’t very complimentary about our dear leader either. More ups and downs until we came to Hawkers Hut where we again crowded in with thoughts of Terry.
The Reverend Robert Stephen Hawker was told to be a romantic poet and a professional
eccentric with a penchant for opium. He apparently loved colourful clothes often wearing
a long purple coat or a yellow poncho fashioned from a horse blanket with crimson
gloves. Very nice.
The Rectory tea rooms came up trumps again and we enjoyed a delicious lunch. After
inspecting the Church we headed back across the fields where footpaths had obscured
and and some styles very difficult to climb over. Not very welcoming. Then down into the
woods to find our way past the picturesque Mill House and back to Duckpool. Longer
than I had calculated apparently but a very pleasant day out.
Stella