June 5th: Hartland Quay to Bude

View from the hotel in the morning

Setting off

Day 6 and it's just Bob and I tackling the journey today. We have a distance of only 15.5 miles to cover to reach Bude, but the path ahead is described as "Severe," with the route entailing crossing ten steep valleys... and as we step out of the hotel in Hartland Quay, we are greeted by a relentless rain and it is blowing a gale... so should be a fun day!

A bit blowy up here this morning

After climbing out of Hartland it is about 5 miles of cliff top walk and the views are nothing short of spectacular. However it is not without its challenges atop the cliff, at times the wind gusts strike us with such force that we are momentarily brought to a standstill. But there is no going back so we lean into the wind and navigate the breathtaking but treacherous terrain.

Ten valleys later, with each steep descent followed by an equally daunting and difficult ascent, we approach the outskirts of Bude. I pull out the address of our accommodation, eager to get settled, and just as I’m about to check my phone for directions, I hear, "Hello Dad!" and am welcomed by the beaming smiles of my daughter Alex and little Lennie, my granddaughter, a wonderful surprise. My heart lifts and any tiredness and pain take a backseat.

We have a beer and a meal together, and I indulge in a long, relaxing bath. Warm-down exercises and bed. A perfect end to a challenging yet rewarding day on the path.

Over the border