A very hot and sunny finish to the SWCP walk

To round off the blog of the walk. Nifty Nev and Sidemoor Sid, together with Nifty Nev's daughter, Cathy (who walked two stages with Nev & Sid), finished the South West Coast Path walk on Sunday 31st May 2009. In sweltering heat and sunshine the intrepid walkers walked a sweltering and busy Studland Beach and finally stood to have photographs taken at the Start/Finish sign. Then it was off for a well-earned pinta, fish and chips. And to make sure the walk was rounded off - and a paddle (to cool the feet) and sandcastle making!

The finish of the walk seemed to come very rapidly. In the final week, Nev and Dawn were joined by daughter Catherine and granddaughters Hope and Evie and met up at East Fleet Farm campsite at Chickerell, near Weymouth. To make sure that they could finish on time, Nev and Sid had had to walk some longer stages towards the end, but it all went well, and the extra miles paid dividends. The last two days were shorter walks, just as well, because the weather went very hot.

So, WELL DONE OUR TWO HEROES, and well done Cathy for her contribution to the walk.


Credits and thank you:

This blog, in the main, has been kept up by Diamond Dawn (when she could find internet access). Nifty Nev contributed the content along with Sidemoor Sid for you to read. Our esteemed thanks to Karen Dewson, for her help to set this up, and help to record the blog and post photos, when all else failed! Thank you to the many people along the way who stopped to talk to Nev and Sid. The memories are all very special. Thank you all.

Friday 22nd. May 09

Budleigh Salterton to Salcome Regis.

Before they left, Dawn took some photos of S&N with many of the bears who live at Pooh Cottage. Sid said he had enjoyed his visit and thought it was 'really cool' to meet so many bears together at one campsite.

The life of a bear...

Nev and Sid are heading from Shaldon to Budleigh Salterton. Sid is quite excited as they will be staying at a campsite at Pooh Cottage in Bear Lane! (How about that for a coincidence?). This was a great day for the little bear as he arrived to meet many friends at a 'real' bear campsite!!! and Dawn is hoping to post up some photos of the site and the bears that live there.

N&S caught two ferries today; one from Shaldon to Teinmouth and later in the day from Starcross to Exmouth and they met some very friendly people from Bromsgrover and Alvechurch in the West Midlands aboard the Exmouth ferryboat. Through the day the sun was shining and the walking was great - maybe, at last the weather is improving. Nev had memories of previous his exploits in this part of the country when he met Dawn in Dawlish and walked part of the Exe to Axe running race that he completed in last place a few years ago. In the evening we had a meal at the 'Dog & Donkey' pub in Budleigh and managed to come last in the local pub quiz - it seems to be the place for Nev coming last? Still, they each won a bag of crisps!

20 May 2009 - The windy coast

Nev and Sid have been having to hold on tight to each other for the past 4 days. The wind has been more than a little frisky. Hopefully things will improve for the spring bank holiday.

The recent week has seen our duo clinging to the cliffs. But the views are terrific. From Salcombe, through Start Bay, through Dartmouth, through Brixham, through Torquay, and by the end of today will amost have reached Teignmouth. Nev and Sid saw a man climbing a vertical rock face on one of the cliffs above Torquay. Nev took some amazing photos. So we'll try and get one posted to the blog.

This week will have seen them through the 500 miles walked mark. Almost sad to think, the end is almost around the next headland!

Friday 15th May 2009 - Sunny Kingsbridge

Well - it is normally sunny Kingsbridge, but not today.

The past week has seen Sid and Nev move on a pace. They crossed over from Cornwall into South Devon on Wednesday, having walked through Plymouth Hoe and shared several ferry journeys. Wednesday was also notable as having walked through the 400 miles mark of the South West Coast Path. They are really getting up a head of steam now. Mind you, Sidemoor Sid seems to just want to play on all those lovely sandy beaches. But - what is a bear to do! He doesn't have much conversation with Nev some days, all he does is look at those maps and the tide tables. Has to take his boots and socks off some days to ford the rivers at low tide.

By tea time today Nev and Sid should be at Salcombe, another little seaside town.

Send you some photos soon.

Nev, Sid and Dawn

Looe - Sunny Monday 11th May 2009

Today, is a bright, hot, sunny day. Looe looks really nice. Nev & Sid are walking from Polruan to Looe and should reach here by teatime. Yesterday they walked through a place called Fowey (pronounced Foy), then caught the last ferry across to Polruan. They were met at the ferry by members of the Dewson clan i.e. Tony, Karen, Kirsty and Liam, not forgetting the dog. Thanks guys it was much appreciated by the walking duo!

Nev says they will have done 400 miles during the next couple of days, and we are not that far from Plymouth.

Past the half way mark!

Nifty Nev and Sidemoor Sid have now walked through the Half way mark. Yesterday poor little Sid nearly was a 'done for' Sid. As Nev and Sid were sitting on the Ferry from Falmouth to St. Mawes, Sid was almost devoured by a 'retired' greyhound - he spotted Sid on Nev's rucksack - and before you knew it, Sid was in the mouth of the greyhound. Nev managed to retrieve Sid in the nick of time - but Sid was upset by the experience. However, a bear on a ferry boat, seeing all the boats in Falmouth Harbour, he had soon forgotten the incident.

Today, Nev and Sid are just having a short circular walk from the campsite to Portscatho to Portloe and back, while Diamond Dawn has a short trip to Truro, and the Library and the Tourist Information Office. Very useful places to go.

Forestdale children, can you find Falmouth on the map?

News from Cornwall - sent Sunday 3rd May

A nice sunny Sunday and we are having a rest day at BOSCERVAS, Praa Sands. There is a computer at the camp site, so Nev has had a chance to catch up with the comments from the children.

Nev and Sid have finished walking the northern coast, and as he said 'turned left at Land's End' last Thursday. By the time of this post he should be well on his way to the Lizard Point. 

As requested by Anne and the children - here is a photo of the Camper Van!

29 April - Another wet day in St. Ives.

Nev & Sid set off this morning for the Pendeen Lighthouse - its cold, its wet and windy! The sun may come out again later just like yesterday. Beautiful views over St. Ives Bay back to where he walked from yesterday by Godrevy Lighthouse.

Almost three weeks of walking done, and should be at Lands End by Friday. Need some sunshine please. Sid is feeling the damp!

28 April 2009 - a wet and windy St. Ives

Hi everyone, Sorry we've not been in touch with an update recently. Something to do with Time and Tide! We experienced a big storm last Friday evening - it was rocking the boat (i.e. the camper van) very badly! NiftyNev and Sidemoor Sid are doing exceptionally well having tackled some very serious and strenuous cliff walks and sand dunes - great for the making of sandcastles, if we had the time to play. We should make it to Land's end by the end of the week, and well let you know how we get on.

Monday 20th April - Passing through Boscastle today. Sid definitely needs a sun hat!

Sunny Sunday in Bude - 19th April

We all had a lie in this morning because it's Sunday!

Nev and Sid have had two very long days of walking, but finally made it to Bude at 6.30pm last night. Quick clean-up and walk to the restaurant on site for an evening meal. No cooking for Diamond Dawn!

It's a bright, sunny and very hot morning and Nev and Sid are heading for Crackington Haven. A shorter days walk today, after the two very longs days.

It's much quieter out and about, children having to go home because of school tomorrow.

Sid has finally cast off his pack-a-mac. We'll have to be careful he doesn't get sun browned!

TTFN

It's Friday 17th April - 100 miles already done

The weather has been very mixed since I last reported - but pleased to say mainly dry, bright and cold.

Sid and I passed through the 100 miles walked yesterday from Appledore to Bucks Mills.

The terrain is getting progressively harder, and the South West Coast Path book now regards the next few days as 'strenuous'. Sid's feet are no longer cold, because Dawn has made him a pair of bright orange walking boots. We will post a photo of the new boots in due course.

Today, we should make it to Hartland Quay, North Devon. If we make good time, we get to have tea and cakes at the shop, nearby where we are camping tonight.

Tomorrow we will be walking to Bude - Can you find Bude on your maps. Could be you've been here for a holiday by the sea?

xxx Nev and Sid and Dawn

Easter Sunday

A fine, sunny day and heading for Morthoe.

Setting Off - Days 1, 2 3

Day 1, Thursday 9th April - Nifty Nev set off from Blue Anchor Bay. Weather was damp and windy with sunshine during the afternoon. A good days walking, but hard going for a first day.

Day 2, Friday 10th: Porlock to Lynton
Another hard day - a total of 18 miles walked, mainly because of going off path to see the lighthouse. Nev arrived at the campsite at Lynton at the same time as Diamond Dawn in the camper van.

Day 3, Saturday 11th: Lynton to Coombe Martin
After a cold and frosty night Nev set off just after 10am. It's a bright and sunny day and there are lots of visitors down for the Easter weekend. Happy Easter everyone.

Sid's Diary - We've walked a long way over the last few days and I've been so excited to see the sea! There are lots of people here on holiday and the fields are full of Spring lambs. Sid x 

P.S. My feet are cold.

SIDEMOOR SID'S SECTION

Sid is excited about setting off on his journey today with Nev and Dawn in the campervan. You will soon see some pictures of the journey to the seaside

It's Adventure Day Eve.. Nev, Dawn and Sidemoor Sid are very busy getting ready to set off in the 'NEVMOBILE' tomorrow. We'll bring you all the exciting news about the journey to Blue Anchor Bay tomorrow - Watch This Space!

Sidemoor Sid

This year Nev has a small travelling companion who goes by the name of Sid.

These Boots Were Made for Walking

Nev's back in action with his walking boots on!

When, where, what and why?

When: Starting on Thursday 9th April 2009

Where: From Blue Anchor Bay, near Mindhead, Somerset

What: The Challenge: to walk the South West Coast Path National Trail, approximately 650 miles.

Why: Because it's there! (And because it's also the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest four times, and also because it's a beautiful coastline).