22 February 2019. This is an urban walk in parts but not unpleasant, especially when away from the main road. It’s a bit of a trek to get to Torquay harbour by bus but I get a buzz from using public transport and there’s a virtue in not retracing steps back to the car. It was a mild day considering the date but a sea fret lurked and cooled it off slightly. The promenade round to Livermead was busy, busy. How lovely for everyone to be enjoying themselves at this time of year. It’s not possible to be on the coast all the time but the route is waymarked pretty well, particularly along the road sections. Obligatory ice cream was taken on the promenade at Paignton where I sat and watched small children paddling. Paddling in February suggests some form of craziness. At Roundham Point there is a memorial to LCdr. Arthur Harrison V.C. A Torquay boy, with a fascinating life story. He died in the Zeebrugge raid in April 1918, sadly his body was never recovered. A poignant moment to stumble across this story 101 years later. Approaching Goodrington is pretty, from above, right on the cliff top before winding down to the beach. I shielded my eyes from the monstrosity that is the water park, though I guess the kids have fun there in the summer. It was surprising to find a Premier Inn beside the beach; they get everywhere. I broke my walk here to catch the bus back and resumed the trek a month later on another incredibly mild day but this time with full sun. From Goodrington I walked to Brixham which is a beautiful section with some moderate climbs to remind me what I have instore. Elbury Cove, Churston Cove and Fishcombe Cove all looking stunning from above with the bluest of seas. The last headland before Brixham loomed threateningly and I was running out of steam. Serendipity! The path skirts sneakily around the base of the cliff and is completely flat and so it was that I arrived at Brixham harbour with a few more gasps left in me. I am getting the idea that 5 miles of moderate path is my limit at the moment. I guess I need to build stamina for some of the severe sections to come.
Trailing acorns 