I’m OK, I’m Alright

Hello peeps. The ferry from Dartmouth upriver to Totnes, where I was staying at Ziva’s place, was pretty good. An hour with about 60 people on board and it’s an oldish boat.

It steams past shipyards and vineyards and 10 miles up the estuary to the centre of Totnes. Then I did my laundry and took Ziva out for dinner.
Yesterday I slept through and didn’t leave the house until after 9. I caught a bus to where I left off in Dartmouth and got another ferry over the river to the east side.

I’d expected the walk round to Brixham to be relatively easy for some reason. It was one of the toughest days climbing of the trek. Thank Christ I wasn’t carrying the rucksack. However the views continue to be magnificent.

I was walking along the path and saw a slow worm out of the bottom of my eye slithering across my path. I lifted my front foot higher to take an extended step and then looked back. It was a two and a half foot adder coiled round on the path looking at me. If I’d stood on that I’d have ended up in casualty. A black adder too. I couldn’t get my iPad out before it slipped away but it was this colouring.

In another Morse moment I had only thought two minutes before that I hadn’t seen an adder all journey.
Approaching Brixham there were some wood sculptures. They add a bit of surrealism to the scene.

I enjoyed walking through the cliff side woods. The crowd has thinned out on the path now and I barely saw a walker all day. Maybe the elves might still be around, concealing themselves in the greenery. I kept looking around quickly but I couldn’t see them. Can you?

Lots of songs come into my head when I’m walking. Roy Orbison ‘In Dreams’ has been appearing in my mind’s ear a lot. Van Morrison obviously and the Incredible String Band. Loudon Wainwright III is in there too, competing for space with my remaining brain cell. ‘If I was 16 again I’d give her my tooth, I’m tired and hungry and I’m looking for my youth, I’m a little uncool I’m a little uncouth, excuse me if you will’. If you can write lyrics like that would you need any more skills? Pure genius.
I cracked on from Brixham. Get miles under my belt without El Rucko Sacko.
Arriving at Paignton there were more carvings. I liked this one.

I got the bus back to Ziva’s and cooked myself an omelette. I thought I’d have an early night – Ziva was at a party- but I stayed up to watch a 1975 queen concert. Magnificent display by Freddie.
I got up at 7 this morning, caught the bus and I’m having breakfast in Paignton. Set me up for the day that will. I did 16 miles yesterday, if I can do the same today I’ll be happy. At the moment I’ve done 483 miles. One more night at Ziva’s so I’ll see how far I get without Rucky Sacky today. Ciao baby!