Day 5: Beach hopping

Start: Mortehoe

End: Brauton

Miles: 15

Total miles: 65

The wind and rain stole my sleep for the initial hours of the night, but eventually I managed a few patchy hours. I took down my tent, the absence of high winds made for a much less chaotic process. I headed out of Mortehoe and picked up the coastal path with views of Woolacombe on the horizon. The trail gently undulated and carried me into Woolacombe. The beach was stunning, perfectly smooth and golden only marked with the occasional footprint. I took the path that meandered between the sand dunes and watched surfers negotiate the morning waves.

It wasn't long until my next beach of the day came into view, I headed down to Putsborough beach to eat my breakfast. The path then climbed above the beach heading towards the National Trust site of Baggy Point. The sky was hazy, but I could just about discern the outline of Lundy Island up ahead. I watched kestrels hover above me and appreciated the quiet, the only sounds being the occasional bird and my feet on the path. Once I reached Baggy Point, a whole new stretch of coastline was revealed which is where I am heading over the next days. I prevented my mind from wandering and contemplating the sheer distance, regaining the focus solely to today's miles.

My final beach of the day was Croyde beach, a surfer's paradise. The trail dropped down to allow me to walk along the sand. After a couple of nice conversations with holiday makers, I climbed back up off the beach and headed to Brauton to my camp for the night. Today was pretty much as flat as it will get, with the elevation gain sitting below 500m. I felt as if I could keep going and cover more miles but I need to remember to conserve my energy for the coming miles, days and weeks.

Once my tent was pitched I lay on my sleeping mat on the grass, reflecting on my favourite parts of today. The sweeping beaches, the lapping waves and the diving kestrels. A glow of content washed over me. This is why I am out here.