Day 2: Crossing into Devon

Start: Portlock

End: Lynmouth

Miles: 13

Total miles: 23

This morning I was awoken by the campsite dawn chorus of tent zips and sleepy campers shuffling around. I began the day eating fistfuls of various dried foods before conjuring up the energy to emerge and put down my tent. I left the campsite and headed to the seafront. After some wide, well defined paths the route traversed a shingle beach into Portlock Weir.

Portlock Weir is a sleepy fishing village where the route began to replicate yesterday's, ascending steeply through woodland paths. Following the persistent climbs, the incline plateaued making for much lighter work. The only challenge was there were several fallen trees obstructing the path, often a little too high to step over and a little too low to crawl under. Gaps in the trees revealed several landslips and a rugged coastline from years of metereological attack.

Come late morning the route opened up to views of intimating hills ahead. I looked back to see my progress and the hills I had already climbed were equal in size, reassuring me. The afternoon miles merged into a blurry haze as the route became more exposed and the path left Somerset to enter Devon. I stumbled upon a cooler box stuffed full of cold drinks and chocolate bars labelled 'honesty cafe'. The route has been so remote so far that I was beside myself to discover this lovely act of kindness. I made the most of it and the energy from the sugar propelled me towards Lynmouth.

I staggered up the final hill to my campsite, justifying my tiredness by remembering the elevation for today was 1200m. Once my tent was pitched, it took an hour or so of relative comfort sprawled out for a glow of fondness to creep into today's memories. Although the hills were tiring in the heat, the views were stunning. Tomorrow's elevation gain is greater. But I tell myself it will all work out, just like today and the day before that.