LoveTravelEngland
  • 2019 Trip Blog
  • Our Hikes
  • Town

The trek up to St Michael's Mount
​

If the tide's in, you'll want to take a ferry to save your clothes from getting wet and yourself from looking foolish by being the only ones swimming over. To get to the ferry, simply follow the stone path toward the big rock formation and you'll come out right here.
Picture
Picture
The tide schedules are easy to find, so we knew that by the time we were finished, we'd be able to walk back on the really cool stone causeway. We could see path start to appear from the top of the castle. By the time we'd finishing poking around the island for a few hours, the tide was completely out, following that ebb and flow thing that seems to run life. You reach the castle via old steep historic cobbled steps that are often worn and crumbling. Did I mention steep? No wheelchairs or crutches need apply, no whining allowed: this is history dammit, and if it takes a year off your heart and knees, so be it. 
Picture
The tide schedules are easy to find, so we knew that by the time we were finished, we'd be able to walk back on the really cool stone causeway. We could see path start to appear from the top of the castle. By the time we'd finishing poking around the island for a few hours, the tide was completely out, following that ebb and flow thing that seems to run life.
This is how high up the castle is. By the time we reach the top, the tide has mostly gone out and we can start to see the causeway.
Picture
You reach the castle via old steep historic cobbled steps that are often worn and crumbling. Did I mention steep? No wheelchairs or crutches need apply. No whining allowed. This is history dammit, and if it takes a year off your heart and knees, so be it. ​

​We join the countless before us to make the pilgrimage to the top—our cause less for religious purposes, more hellbent on pleasure seeking.
Picture
The story goes that eons ago there was a nasty giant that wreaked havoc on the unsuspecting souls
in the area, and that a boy named Jack did away with this giant by trapping him in this well. I for one
am having a hard time believing this because it sounds so suspiciously like another JackGiant tale.
Picture
Bob trudging up medieval pathways with backpack filled with water, raincoats, a thermos of tea,
and fresh scones. Just the essentials, don't you know.
Picture
I'm assuming this is a shortcut we pilgrims are not allowed to use.
Picture
Still not the top.
Picture
Still this far away.
Picture
More trudging up steep historic cobbled steps.
Picture
The landing just below the front door. Last chance to shoot at any marauding band of outlaws before wiping
your feet and presenting your bottle of wine. 
Picture
Almost there.
Picture
Stone handrail, as per OSHA.
Picture
This is how high up the castle is. By the time we reach the top, the tide has mostly gone out and we can start to see the causeway.
Picture
Finally, the front door. Whew. 
see the inside
See the gardens

Saturday 9/21

Land at Heathrow, train to paddington, train to Exeter, train to barnstaple, walk to The Old Vicarage—where we are staying until Thursday.
Have to remember how to read these boards.
Our room.
Love the bath!
First, tea in the garden.
After our tea we walk to the bus station to pick up bus schedules. Hop the 21 to Fremington, which is where we left off last time.
On the path.
Ha! Bob wants “he was a character” on his tombstone.
Fairly uninteresting walk, mostly along marshes.
Security idea for PP@L
We’re on an old railroad line, cute tunnels and all. This looks like a tunnel from the Thomas videos.
Our first pub. This is Instow.
My new favorite drink. It’s cucumber and elderberry and so good I have two. Which means we are finished for the day! We’ll complete this stretch of the walk tomorrow.
We order fish& chips takeaway rather than eating it in the pub because (a) it’s about half the price, and (b) fish & chips taste best outside! Check out the newspaper wrapping!
Not so healthy but it’s the first night and we’re on the coast where the fish is fresh, so.

Sunday, 9/22 Morning

Ate a marvelous breakfast, then walked straight out of Barnstaple to pick up the path heading northwest.
We fill out a little form the night before, choosing our breakfast time and meal items. Plus, there’s a sideboard of granolas, yogurt, fruit, etc.
View from our table.
Walking through Barnstable before hike.
The path. Heading first to Braunton.
The path is flat and fairly unremarkable. Sky is threatening.
We reach Braunton, almost pass right by this, then decide to stop for a short break.
Lovely inside, nicest people.

Sunday, 9/22 Afternoon

We walk Braunton to Saunton, intending to catch bus at Saunton, except I read Saturday’s bus schedule instead of Sunday’s because it’s so easy to do that and we soon find out there is no Sunday bus service in Saunton.
This Is looking back to Braunton. Path leads along this estuary. I think it’s an estuary.
Blackberry bushes are everywhere!
We’re right next to military training grounds.
Lunch break. Sandwiches. Forgot to pack dessert.
Ha! We see this sign as we close the gate after walking across the field.
It’s here that we realize that no bus will be coming. Luckily there’s a golf course right next to the path and we bum a ride to Braunton, which we know for sure has Sunday buses.

Saturday, 9/22 Evening

Our main goal on Sunday every time we come to England is it to make it to a Sunday Roast Dinner. Usually we miss it. Today though we are lucky: we find a good place in Braunton and end the walk on a full-belly note. Total miles today: 11.5.
Roast beef, potato, assorted fresh veggies, gravy, and Yorkshire pudding. Yum.
Waiting in the rain for the bus back to Barnstaple.
The Vicarage at last! We are both exhausted.
This waits for us every afternoon. That’s fresh cream on top.
Washed our clothes though not very thoroughly.
Choose breakfast and go to bed!
  • 2019 Trip Blog
  • Our Hikes
  • Town