June 2nd: Ilfracombe to Braunton

Looking back toward Ilfracombe from Morthoe

Seagull chicks right outside my window

Ok. So.....Day 3 Ashley, Max, Bob, and I left the wonderful Olive Branch Guest House in Ilfracombe, which had been quite the delightful haven for us, beautiful rooms, lovely staff, but the highlight of my stay was undoubtedly the breakfast; they served the best Eggs Royale ever! The only downside was the seagull that made it his mission to wake us up as early as possible in the morning squawking outside my window - who needs an alarm!?

As we departed from Ilfracombe, we were greeted by the inevitable climb for the first mile or so - I can’t decide what’s harder, the energy required going up or the balance required going down! The air was crisp, and the scenery was breathtaking, which made the challenge somewhat easier to bear.

Leaving Ilfracombe

After conquering that initial hurdle, we faced a demanding first 10 miles on rugged terrain. But yet again the coastal views were just stunning and provided a beautiful distraction from the physical exertion. Once we completed those challenging miles, we were rewarded with a fairly moderate final stretch of 14 miles leading us to Braunton.

Though the walk became physically easier, emotionally it turned out to be the toughest day of our journey thus far. As we passed through Woolacombe, a place filled with cherished memories from my past with Anna. Woolacombe was where we had spent countless happy moments together, laughing, walking, enjoying the sun on the beach and creating lasting memories with our children. It was a reminder of the carefree days of yesteryear and the bond we had formed over time.

Woolacombe Beach behind us

We also passed The Saunton Sands Hotel, a place that held special significance for us. It was not just a hotel; it was the place where we celebrated our honeymoon, and a place we revisited often over the course of 20 years. Each visit to that hotel rekindled the warmth of those early days in our marriage, and as I walked past, I felt a bittersweet sense of farewell to these beloved locations that had shaped our relationship.

As I reflected on these memories, I found myself hoping to discover new places in the coming weeks. Places that would allow me to create fresh memories, to build new experiences that could someday hold similar significance. Every step taken along this path is not just a step away from the past, but a step towards new beginnings and new stories...