LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

South West Coastal Path No. 46              Total: 436 miles

Time Taken:     Cycle:     Distance:   Enjoyment:    Weather:  
 4:50 hours       unknown   9 miles       90%             Sunny and Windy
Nature:  Pheasants and Sparrowhawk

 Temp:     Cloud:     Rain:    Visibility:    Ground Conditions:  
 14oC        35%          0%        Good          Excellent Underfoot 


Points of Interest:
Newton				The Warren				Capmouth Rock
Stoke Point			Beacon Hill 				Erme Mouth
Bugle Hole			Meadowsfoot Beach


General:
Parked at Mothecombe field car park and cycled to Newton 
Ferrers slipway, along quiet and narrow lanes. Very steep 
and narrow streets to picturesque Newton Ferrers harbour. 
Locked bike to fence by ferry slipway and started walking 
towards The Warren. Followed path behind and between 
cottages along shoreline to good track. Slowly climbing 
Capmouth Rock, after Brakehill plantation the landscape 
opened up to wide views up and down the coast. Excellent 
wide and gentle gradient track from The Warren to Stoke 
Point. Perfect for a circular walk from the two National Trust 
car parks off the lane approximately parallel to the coastline. 
Excellent views of the coastline in the sunshine in both 
directions. Threat of rain with black clouds inland producing 
heavy rain, and glorious sunshine out to sea. Luckily missed 
the rain apart from a few spots. At the perimeter of the 
National Trust land, Stoke Point, the wide open spaces, 
preserved by grazing sheep, is replaced by an unchecked 
wilderness, blocking the glorious views. Past Ravelstock 
Holiday Park then the open spaces returned, but this time 
the path was the normal width and undulating. Stopped for 
lunch at a bench at the top of Beacon Hill. Turned the map 
over before leaving the bench, then proceeding to lose the 
path. Had to carefully stride over a barbed wire fence and 
a big drop skidding on my bum, to return to the official path. 
Shortage of signposts before St Anchorite's Rock, so I had 
to search for the path to steel ascent to the rock. Path very 
undulating before Erme Mouth. Steep ascents and descents 
around the inlets with high rugged cliffs. Yet another descent 
and ascent at Bugle Hole, but an attractive Baitisborough 
House at the head of the valley. Large grassy fields after the 
hole, with many wild flowers, to the grove.  Here a steep 
descent to the beach. Again a lack of path signposts. Cross 
Meadowsfoot beach and pick up the path again at Owen's 
Point. The path finishes on the slipway just after the road to 
Mothecombe. From the slipway the walk. Returned to the 
carpark up the steep road. Another excellent days walking and 
sightseeing on the coastal path.