4 May 2019
Barnstaple to Braunton today with Tom. A cutesie train ride from Exeter to Barnstaple. Thank you Dr Beeching for letting this one survive. We knew this would be an easy trek along the side of the estuary. Apart from the huge bridge across the river the walk is flat, flat, flat. We chose a sunny day but up on the bridge it was bitterly cold and we paused to put on warmer layers which had to be shed the minute we got onto the path. It turned out we chose the best side of the river, nice and sheltered from the NE wind. I must get into a habit of thinking it all through on future walks, I’m sure there will be some stretches where even the smallest adversity will count. Disappointing not to see more wildlife along the estuary. The path moves away from the river to get around RAF Chivenor and then becomes urban. As we emerged into Velator we spied a newly opened cafe, The Quay. Very unassuming from the outside but what a treat it was, a huge menu, wifi, phone charge points and lots of space. After lunch we drooled over the ice cream counter and were treated to a very generous triple cone. It would have been rude not to……….. but I did promise to put the word out there that this watering hole is excellent and in the very best place for those on the coast path trek. The buses run frequently between Barnstaple and Braunton so it made a very efficient walk/travel day.
Trailing acorns 