We park at the Clovelly Visitor Centre at 0855, put on our walking gear and, because the centre is still closed, we walk round the side and off along the coast path without having to pay for car parking.
There are a couple of steep-sided valleys to negotiate, and in one case we have to cross the stream by stepping stones. Unfortunately, the stream is still in spate and the stepping stones are a couple of feet under water so we walk down the beach and cross where the stream has fanned out and become much shallower.
We are overtaken by a chap whom we met yesterday walking on his own. Yesterday he had his wife and dog with him but not today. He tells us that the dog is getting old and couldn't cope with another walk like yesterday's so his wife is staying with the dog and waiting to meet him at Hartland Point. Later we meet all three at Hartland Point having lunch.
Just after meeting our lone walker we have to walk down a steep path in a field containing a horse. The path is extremely muddy and, to make matters worse, I am sure the horse uses the path for its toilet. Our boots are wet and very muddy by the time we cross the bridge at the bottom. However, on the whole the mud is much less than yesterday and we stay relatively clean.
At Hartland Point we have a cup of tea at the cafe by the car park and then have our lunch in a field just past the lighthouse. We are joined by a couple of French women who tell us they are doing a circular walk from Hartland Quay.
The geology from Hartland Point to Hartland Quay is fascinating with heavy folding and faulting of the sandstones and mudstones. There is also what looks like the remnants of a river valley that has been eroded at both ends by the sea.
At Hartland Quay we have a drink and take some photos before heading inland to the village of Hartland to catch the bus back to Clovelly. We walk up the hill past the impressive church at Stoke with its massive tower. Then we divert back across the Abbey Stream, past the impressive Hartland Abbey and walk across some fields where we encounter sheep before descending again and following the stream through some woodland. Finally, we cross the stream and climb up into Hartland village via what looks like an ancient track that is also very muddy.
We enter the village by the National Geological Survey's Magnetic Monitoring Station and wait for about an hour before the bus arrives. We are joined by a German couple - mother and daughter it seems - who also catch the bus but don't speak much English.
Distance completed today: 10.3 miles
Total distance completed: 109.0 miles (17.3%)
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