Day 42. Teignmouth to Ladram Bay

A combination of long day and long hot bath loosened me up so much that when I walked across the bedroom in the morning it sounded like the carpet was made of bubble wrap.

The walk to Dawlish took numerous diversions inland to walk along the main road and back and then down steeply to the sea front.

Dawlish Banksy ?

Dawlish is the place to go for train spotters. 

This is the section that was washed away a few years ago.

Made my way quickly past the big holiday camps at Dawlish Warren and then did a couple of miles on the road to Cockwood and then Starcross for the ferry across the Exe to Exmouth.

Cockwood at low tide

Had a sandwich in the square in Exmouth whilst fighting off the aggressive seagulls.

The tide was out so I walked the beach from Oricombe to Sandy Bay under the red cliffs that mark the start of the Jurassic Coast.

Oricombe

Approaching Sandy Bay I thought they were letting off fireworks to welcome me but when I got closer I could see the military rifle range on the clifftop

Sandy Bay Rifle Range

The biggest holiday park I've ever seen at Sandy Bay

Yesterday's heavy rain had turned the English Channel into the Red Sea

Budleigh Salterton sounds like a Hollywood b movie actor who never got the leading roles.
It was always 'also starring Budleigh Salterton', and it looked like the sort of place that the Famous Five went to on holiday.
It's a lovely little town and the people seemed friendly so I stopped in the Salterton Arms for a pint, some food, some phone power and to watch some tennis.
No need for a fire today.

Just on the edge of town the path goes alongside and then over the beautiful River.

The River Otter

There's a line of pine trees on a hill looking over the town that has become an iconic image of Budleigh Salterton.

Local artists and photographers love to try to capture its beauty, particularly at dawn.

Kayaking up the Otter

Budleigh Salterton through the pine trees

I had covered a lot of ground and thought it would be good to end the day with a shower so I decided to make Ladram Bay holiday village my destination.

It was a gorgeous evening and I had the cliffs to myself for the hour or so to Ladram Bay.

The Rocks at Ladram Bay

Arrived at the Ladram Bay resort to find the reception closed and couldn't see any of the usual info for the late arrivals procedure.
Wandered around looking in vain for the camping ground then came upon the main entrance with its security hut, barrier and security guard.
Asked him where l might find the field to pitch my tent but was told that I was too late because there was no admission after 8 pm.
I tried to explain that I was already in, and that I was not driving a car or erecting a frame tent that may cause a disturbance but he wasn't having it.
Just for fun I suggested that if I put my tent up and left early next morning no-one would know.
I knew what was coming and he didn't disappoint, 'that would be more than my job's worth'.
I didn't like the place anyway.

Carried on climbing up through the woods and iron age fort and found the perfect spot to pitch up on Windgate Cliff with possibly the best inland view yet over the beautiful Otter valley.

Much better than the campsite