7. Croyde Bay to Braunton

Day 7

Braunton Burrows were going to be a highlight of my walk. I was going to explore sand dunes rich with rare flowers like purple vipers bugloss and yellow trefoil; hear the skylarks and stonechaffs; and see butterflies like the grizzled skipper. Maisy, of course was going to explore a special place with me – until we realised that there is a thriving population of adders living in the Burrows and an adder’s bite is fatal to a dog. Emergency vets phone numbers were clearly displayed. And I enjoyed the Burrows, but by myself.

John and Maisy enjoyed their morning together – adder free.

Maisy had a tick bite instead. It was red and sore and the tick’s tail could clearly be seen. A man in the pub where we had lunch said -just find a smoker and he can stub his cigarette out on it.

So we took Maisy to the Vets instead and had the tick removed, less dramatically and free of charge. And Maisy had treats for being a good dog.

I continued with my walk but I became lost. For the first time I had no reassuring coastal path acorns

to guide me along Braunton Marsh to Velator; no fellow walkers to approach for help; and I panicked as I plodded along on top of the Great Sea Bank that borders the marshes, feeling isolated and troubled in case I missed John and Maisy. But suddenly, just before Velator, I saw a post with an acorn engraved on it. All my fears vanished instantly as I rejoined the path and found John and Maisy waiting peacefully for me.

Just one ore day to walk – then home.

#CroydeBay #Braunton #SouthWestCoastalPath