Day 6: Crossing the River Taw

Start: Brauton

End: Yelland

Miles: 12

Total miles: 77

Not a single breath of wind disturbed my tent in the night, allowing for a long and restful sleep. I put my tent down and organised my various dry bags that were scattered on the grass. My routines feel well established now. There's often a transition period on these long adventures, where your daily routine becomes so ingrained that you seek comfort in the repetitive tasks like pitching the tent or lighting the stove. My morning began in Brauton in search of a breakfast that didn't consist of energy bars and dried fruit. I found a lovely cafe and had a bowl of baked beans with toast alongside a big mug of tea. Sufficiently carb loaded I headed out of Brauton and picked up the coastal path.

Today's main aim was to cross the River Taw. To do this I had to divert inland in the direction of Barnstaple to cross via the Taw Bridge. I would then retrace my steps on the other side of the river, pushing back towards the coast. Part of me was tempted to sling my boots around my neck and get wading, but this was merely based on impatience not knowledge of tide times, depth or current. So I pushed to the bridge, reminding myself that arriving anywhere on foot requires perseverance, patience and time.

The morning was not one for scenery, the barbed wire fences of the Chivenor military base, the A361 Taw Bridge and the industrial outskirts of Barnstable. I spoke with a retired electrical engineer who knew the path well, we exchanged stories and he wished me luck with the next days. The views improved as I crossed the bridge and the route carried along level railway beds towards Yelland where I'll camp for the night. When I review my progress for today on my map, it looks minimal due to cutting inland. But I've still come far from Minehead and the miles are slowly but surely accumulating. After all it's a marathon not a sprint.