4. Heddons Mouth to Combe Martin

Day 4

Combined ascent 3,766 feet

Cumulative ascent 8,746 feet

To-day I climbed to Blackstone Point, the highest point on the coastal path. And I met no-one for over seven miles of my walk. The mist hung heavily over the sea and gently drifted over the path.

I noted a waymark – Combe Martin 6 miles. I’m doing well, I thought, . Half an hour later I saw a second waymark - Combe Martin 3 miles. I thought- I’m Maggie! I’m not Bionic Superwoman 2016.

I’m not even Paula Radcliff.

So I wondered if the people who measure these distances use specially trained pigeons to carry ever extending measuring tapes in their beaks – because their distance, flying high over cliffs, headlands and valleys would represent a different reality from mine as I plodded, rhythmically tracing my way up one steep ascent and then down into the valley in a seemingly endless pattern.

Until I found the cairn that marks the highest point of the entire coastal walk. And I felt proud and happy and energised. I had made it!

Because I am walking alone, I have seen birds and not known their names: also flowers and butterflies. I have had to make my own decisions about which path to take when the reassuring acorn, symbol of the coastal path has failed me. I only ever have myself to blame for my mistakes. Once, in the mist, I thought I saw someone walking round a bend towards me – but it was only a ewe with her two lambs.

But I did feel a transient part of this ancient landscape that I was passing through, and leaving undisturbed,

And it was so good to see John and Maisy coming to find me so that we could all make our way together to Combe Martin and return to a world of bustle, people, noise and cars.

#CombeMartin #HeddonsMouth #SouthWestCoastalPath