A very good night's sleep followed by an excellent breakfast. So much easier and more relaxing than cooking and eating in a small tent
The Kingsbridge estuary at Salcombe. We will definitely be using the ferry. The day looks promising, but heavy rain is forecast for a couple of hours during the day
Pick up provisions at the Bakehouse bakery, though so far Warrens bakery back in Ivybridge has been far and away the best.
We have just missed a boat, so it's a 25 minute wait until the next crossing. We are joined while waiting by another coastal walker and someone commuting to work on the other side of the river
Looking back at Salcombe across the estuary, the clean sandy beaches look wonderful
We set off walking, heading towards Prawle Point in the distance. It's not exactly cold, but there's a strong wind blowing. This section of coast has rather a wild feel to it
Plastic and detritus collected from one of the many small coves, to be collected later
The beaches look pristine and very inviting, or would on a sunnier and warmer day
A slow worm encountered on the path
For once, the promised rain arrives. It is heavy and driven by a strong south-westerly breeze. We march onwards towards
At Prawle Point there is a coastguard lookout and this splendid visitor centre. It's very welcoming as a shelter from the storm, and I get water heating for cups of tea
Three other walkers join us whilst we are there, and there's a very convivial atmosphere as we shelter together from the storm outside. In reality, shelter from the rain
I was last here 16 years ago, and am keen to revisit the Pig's Nose pub in nearby East Prawle. It's slightly off route, but won't add to our distance. It's might add to our time
We arrive and leave our dripping waterproofs in the porch
Chris orders a celeriac burger and extra chips. I'm happy with the beer and the cozy atmosphere, though I get the extra chips as the burger came with chips all along
We emerge into a brighter and cheerier world. It's amazing what a little beer can do
It's a delightful section of undulating coast, with sharp climbs and descents. The sea is a constant presence, with foaming waves driven by the strong wind.Our next objective is Start Point
With its light house
The sea on the other side of Start Point is smooth and calm. On land the wind is much lighter, and I am walking in shorts and t-shirt
We pass through the villages of Hallsands, Beesands and Torcross
The houses on the front at Torcross suffered extensive storm damage at the start of the year, a reminder of the sea's power.
The storm also ripped up the road at Torcross, meaning that this two mile section of busy A road is delightfully traffic free
We are aiming for the village of Strete, on the previous picture's skyline. It has a campsite and a community pub. We have tried phoning the campsite but nobody answers
It is the inevitable steep climb up to the village. Chris is suffering and needing to rest. This is unusual. He is having heart palpitations, something that he experiences every now and again. We move on slowly with frequent rests.
We eventually reach the village and I check the food situation at the pub. It's a pizza van outside. I go and check last order times and order two pizzas for 7.30, which should give us enough time to put our tents up and get back to the pub
The campsite is open, but nobody is around. I start putting my tent up, and am approached by the site owner who had spotted my arrival on cctv. £10 per person is very reasonable,
he even suggested that we sleep in the barn, out of the wind, and Chris takes this option
We head back to the pub. Chris is still having his palpitations. In previous events they would have stopped by now, and he is getting concerned. He phones 911 for advice, and they send out an ambulance.
The pizzas arrive before the ambulance, and Chris's heart resumes a normal rhythm before the ambulance arrives
We are in the back of the ambulance for nearly three hours. The paramedics are very happy with Chris's blood pressure, breathing, blood oxygen levels: all textbook readings. There is a niggling concern with high readings on two of the ecg wires. Second, third, and fourth opinions are sought. I am impressed with the joined up professionalism of the service. The eventual decision is for Chris to go to A&E at Torquay hospital and a taxi is organised. We are taken back to the campsite to wait there, by which time it becomes known that no taxi is available.
The ambulance takes Chris to hospital. I remain at the campsite, pack up Chris's stuff and crawl into my tent. It is just after midnight
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