By Sarah

Morte (Fr. ‘Death’) Point on the north coast of Devon is so-called because of the number of shipwrecks that used to occur there. The pub in the local village of Mortehoe is known as The Ship Aground. Undeterred by the possibility of encounters with ‘wreckers’, however, the MMC made its way there, camping in the beautiful North Morte Farm campsite, overlooking the sea.

The North Devon Costal Path

On Saturday, Wendy, Miriam (new), Ian and Sarah walked from the campsite to the coastal path, and headed west around the point, down along Woolacombe Bay, and then around Baggy Point to Croyde. The wildness of the crags set against the blue of sea and sky, and green of fields, was stunning, although the short touristy stretch through Woolacombe itself had to be endured. Meanwhile, Harry, Job, Chuck and Alamin went climbing at Baggy Point. They did “Lost Horizons”, then “Shangri-La”, followed by “In her Eyes” and lastly “Ben”. The walkers enjoyed the requisite (and excellent) Devon cream tea at the National Trust tearooms in Croyde. The climbers finished just before the belay ledge got swamped, at the perfect time to head for dinner with the others in the same town.

Preparing to climb

By Sunday, the rain had set in. Ian and Sarah went swimming at the secluded cove of Barricane Beach, surrounded by jagged rocks, and with its curious shingle of broken shells. For a while an ominous-looking bird (of prey?) perched against the skyline, adding to the general sense of foreboding. Later, they joined the remainder of the group, who had sensibly made their way to the aforementioned Ship Aground for a final brunch/lunch.

Odd weather for Devon