LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

South West Coastal Path No. 51              Total: 466.5 miles

Time Taken:     Cycle:     Distance:   Enjoyment:    Weather:  
3 hours                 n/a        6.5 miles          85%         Low Cloud

 Temp:     Cloud:     Rain:    Visibility:    Ground Conditions:  
 16oC       100%          2%        Good         Rocky in Places 
Nature:  Cormorants

General:
We parked the car at Prawle Point National Trust Car Park. I walked with Ann 
eastwards, along the coast away from Prawle Point and towards Start Point. 
It is easy walking along coastal path passing a topograph near the car park 
then several coves, Copstone, Western, Landing, Appletree, Wollow etc. 
Western Cove very impressive to view. Shoreline is very rocky but the rocks 
are low lying, with the fields no more than 10 metres above the mean sea level,
but slowly rising away from the coastline. Met a couple of bird watchers 
looking for Cirle Bunting, but we couldn't help them. Ann left me to return to 
the car at a gate near Wollow Cove and Fish-in-the-Well Rock. Good view to 
Prawle Point from Langerstone Point, showing the very rocky low lying 
shoreline. Good view east from Sharpers Head but unfortunately misty when
I walked this section of the way. There is another good view, this time of 
Maelcombe House underneath The Torrs rock. The area in this region of 
Devon has a varied landscape with each feature having a different name. 
Good to see lots of Cormorants drying their wings on Ballsaddle Rock. It was 
lovely to see the colourful dahlias at Evator Cove Cottage, a gardener's 
delight. Lannacombe beach small but very welcome on a lovely summers day. 
The rocky shoreline continued to Start Point with the highest ground of the 
day, where it was lovely to see some wild flowers growing in the grass. I was 
disappointed to see the point misty even from a close distance. If time allows 
it is worth the extra walk to see the lighthouse at the end of the point and see 
the good views (on a sunny day). Still much more walking to complete the 
South West Coastal Path, the finger post near Start Farm showed Poole 168 
miles (269 Km) and Minehead 462 miles (739 Km). Plenty of more wonderful 
South West Coastline to enjoy, keep visiting the website folks. Turned the 
corner at the Point to see the wonderful view of Start Bay from the high 
ground. I crossed the gated road to the lighthouse near Start Farm, before 
the slow descent to Hallsands. Good view of Cormorants on Hare Stone 
below. Met Ann slowly ascending the path at this point, good to see her and 
knowing the car would be waiting at the end of the walk. We continued down 
the Way to Hallsands, the Lost Village. Just a few houses remain after a 
storm hit the village. Plenty of interesting reading of the many information 
boards above the village. I hope you have time to read all about that horrific 
night. We passed Prospect House near Wilson's Rock to the village lane. 
Turned left to the car park, only a short distance inland along the lane. Well 
done Ann, she found her way through the myriad of Devon country lanes.