Trentishoe to Braunton

Day 2 – Monday 6th September 2021

Start Time	6:54am
Total Distance	36.66 miles
Elevation	5331 feet
Total Time	13 hours 45 minutes
Moving Time	9 hours 50 minutes (16:57 min/mi)
Steps	74382

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We woke to a dew-covered field, dripping tents, and an amazing sky.

Mist hung in the air as we packed away sleeping mats, bags and tents.

The path ahead took us up over Great Hangman – the highest point on the South West Coast Path at just over 1,000ft tall.

As we left, the sun was just starting to peek over the hill behind us.

To our right, the sea was covered in mist, to the point where it felt like we were on the top of a mountain with clouds below.

After an hour or so, we passed a gate with a sign for Great Hangman.

The mist over the sea snaked it’s way inland along the valleys, and in the sunlight was just an amazing sight.

At the top of Great Hangman – the highest point on the whole South West Coast Path – is a large cairn.

We were treated to the happiest view in the UK, which was quite grey.

Entering Ilfracombe we were met with noise, traffic and lots of people. But it was a nice looking place, and we did take the opportunity to get something to eat. I had my first pasty of the trip.

Just out of Ilfracombe, Chris and I parted company for a time as I was moving a little fast for him to be comfortable with. He was going to take a few shortcuts and we agreed to meet up at some point over the next days.

A little while outside of Ilfracombe, I hit Lee Bay which – in the fog – was just eerily beautiful.

A little further on, I found this bridge over a dried stream. The fog was deadening the sound, so it felt like a little personal space, so peaceful and tranquil.

Bull point lighthouse poked out of the fog in the distance and not long after the last of the fog disappeared from my route.

Arriving at Morte Point after a small inland navigation error, I got my first sight of Woolacombe.

Lunch time (well, 4pm!), saw me grabbing a nice healthy jacket potato smothered in cheese and beans from the Captains Table restaurant. And I took the opportunity to sneak in a Korev too!

2.1 miles of Woolacombe beach behind me (although I walked up Marine Drive which was essentially just a very, very long, thin car park), and I was on the hill at Putsborough.

Round Baggy point and onwards to Croyde, the sun pretty full-on now although not ridiculously hot as it was getting later in the day.

At Croyde bay, there was an unexpected trawl across the sand which was a bit annoying, but proved my decision to wear gaiters was a good one – not a single grain of sand ended up in my shoes!

This was the last photo I took of the day, but there’s a lot more to the story. Things went a little downhill at this point leading to a bit of a panic about 3 hours later…