13th NOV. NARBOR POINT TO BUDE

I did not have any breaky to make,  or water to make a cuppa ,so made the most of time by laying there semi listening to the radio. At the usual time, 6.45 , I moved to get out of the tent. I was fully dry but put on semi wet socks.
We were almost packed up when a woman and three large dogs came along,  she mentioned that we must be keen as it was so early. We just agreed and pretended to be taking a break.
The weather was alot better today. Fairly mild but with a strongish southwest wind.
We walked to Welcombe mouth where a river flowed over the cliff and we hopped over the stepping stones. We brewed a cup of coffee and ate the last of our biscuits. We were going to need it as there were some steep ascends and descends ahead.
We sat a little distant from each other, in our own thoughts. It was fairly warm but we still put our waterproof tops on to keep us warm. The coffee also warmed us. On leaving I advised J to take off his top as we had a good climb but pig headed he said he was chilled so refused to.
We had a steepish climb to Duncans Hut,  a small stone built refuge. It had a sign on the door saying it was open - but on trying the door it appeared locked. We were glad we were not depending on it!
After the next hill bloody minded Josh removed his waterproof top. I and he were not really getting on that well ;the weather,  moon phase , alpha male thing. , I do not know.
Although we did not talk alot,  it gave me time to note that a fair few plants were still in flower ; thrift, scabious, vipers bugloss, bell heather,gorse ,and campion among others. Also long tailed tits,  stonechats, and bullfinch flitted around the gorse. Kestrels hung motionless in the sky.
Ups and downs came and went,  we sweated going up in the lee of the wind to be cooled on the tops and descents.
We crossed from North Devon into North Cornwall and stood like pratts trying to take a photo of us both by the sign, on the sixth attempt we made do with the photo. Soon after the last of the mobiles batteries packed in, and I had to use the kodak - which reminds me that the sd card is almost full.
On Vicarage Cliff we stopped off at Hawkers Hut. , a ramshackled stable doored five foot by 5.6 foot . It was hard to believe that I slept in it 25 years ago,happy days!
A few ups and downs on we approached a MOD radar /listening base. Weird mega golf balls , satellite dishes pointing in every direction.....sinister!
The drop down Steep Point gave us a view of a Duckpool beach and Sandy Mouth beach. Josh was fairly keen to walk the beach as the constant ups and knee crushing downs were taking its toll.
We walked on the beach, a brief spell on sand then scrabbled over boulders to a rough jagged outcrop barring our way.  It became a rock climb,  having to remove packs to climb down one face then gently lower the pack down. Mussels clung to rocks and the size of them encouraged us to grab a few pints for tea that evening. After another physical clamber we made it to sandy beach.The reason it was such a pain was we had missed the tide which was rapidly rising. Below the contorted cliff face was humbling.
At Sandy Mouth we had hoped the cafe would be open. Josh was feeling shattered and lay against his pack eyes closed.
The walk to Bude was easy going from there , just gentle undulations. We walked into Bude stopping off at Sainsburys- energy drink for J and donuts.
We got to the Hostel via the town high street,  dumped our bags at 2 ,walked back in to get shopping and a coffee.
J said he felt a little sick,  and later complained of diahorrea. He did drink some questionable water from streams that I had not.
On returning we booked in.  It was the first time I was not asked for photo ID. What a contrast to Ilfracombe where nothing was filled in.
J and I hardly communicated that evening,  he did not eat his moules which he had prepared with wine,  garlic and onion. It was lovely. I cleaned our boots , made the beds and sort the waterproofing of a few pieces of clothing, pack covers. I watched a film on the skybox and J was upstairs texting and talking to his girlfriend. It was a shame all was subdued. Hopefully J will feel better  tomorrow.
The hostel is clean and homely. It has good facilities,  on suite toilet and sink. Very comfortable lounge and well kitted kitchen.