Day Two (Minehead campsite to Porlock)

Awoke to glorious sunshine after a reasonable nights sleep. Pegasus didn’t move at first. He was some what affronted by an earwig creeping across the ground sheet and watched his journey with contempt.

The walk back to the Coastal Path was hot, slow and heart pumping due to the hill we had to climb. I had to keep stopping for moments to catch my breath. The flies pestered Pegasus relentlessly, as we walked through a fern wood, which didn’t impress him. He tried snapping at them but then admitted defeat and just got on with the task at hand with them swarming around his head .

We met a stile going up the hill which Pegasus had cracked yesterday but conquering on our return journey proved a little more challenging for the old boy. Navigating the stile with a slope up made it harder. But it’s amazing what a piece of sausage does for motivation.

Thank goodness I didn’t have to manage all this with my huge backpack. I’ve indulged in the services of a luggage transfer company, expensive but it means I get to enjoy the journey.

Once on the coastal path things eased up for a while. We had a choice, take the rugged path (up down up down nearer the coast) or the scenic path (flatter with great views) I went for scenic.

Along the way I could see patches of rainbow coloured rain over the sea.

There were a few walkers out with their dogs, old ones hobbling along, Young ones yomping along and yapping ones hurling abuse at Pegasus, who was desperately trying to watch the piece of sausage in my hand and ignore the temptation to hurl abuse back. The yappy wipper snappers would certainly have got more than they bargained for if he had. Those training sessions are paying off. Thank you Tina! We got caught by one retired gentleman who I discovered came from Eltham and wanted to share his life story.

The wind was building up as we covered ground until eventually it bought with it rain. On went Pegasus raincoat. As I battled in the wind to put on my trousers, out of no where marched a professional walker, in T-shirt and shorts braving the rain which was now lashing down. I collapsed on the prickly Heather desperately trying to get covered up before my clothes were drenched, as professional walker continued on admirably, with walking sticks at full throttle. At last I was covered, but the reality was I had encased wet clothes in waterproofs, so now I was like a chicken cooking in a bag!

We passed huge fluffy cows, who walked towards us with interest. I told Pegasus that if they come any closer he had permission to bark, which took him aback as he’s always being told “No bark!” I imaged he thought “Blooming women, why can’t they make up their mind!” We escaped a cow stampede. (Useless fact more people die being trampled on by cows, than die from a shark attack.)

Onwards we went until below us was Bossington. When I say ‘below’ I mean below. What a hill we had to descend! Pegasus managed impressively, me I slipped and slided ungraciously, thankful of my walking pole.

We entered Bossington via a wooden bridge over a ford. It was well inviting. In the ford played two collies, barking and pouncing in delight as their ball was thrown in. Pegasus stared in disbelief!

As we were entering a village I thought we’d best pause and make ourselves some what presentable, now the rain had subside. Propped up by a ledge the rigmarole of taking off waterproofs began. I wanted to find some where to eat and thought the sight of two drowned rats may prohibit us from entering an establishment.

To my delight the first place I saw was a thatched cottage whose garden had been turned into a tiny café, with a beautiful garden to sit in.

I tucked into a toasted sandwich and juice, while Pegasus enjoyed a homemade biscuit! I sat in the garden protected by an over hanging tree/hedgerow, as the rain had returned, but Pegasus took advantage of his waterproofs and slept. We were joined by a robin, who had taken a shine to the crumbs from the home made biscuit. Enjoying the tranquility of an amazing garden I ordered a hit chocolate, with all the trimmings.

When eventually we did make a move, in between showers we found the campsite, although, my map reading was a little iffy!

As I began to set up camp, a neighbour offered to make me a cup of tea. Our tent over looked a field of sheep, beyond which was the sea!

That is why my thighs ache! (The beast in the background.)

When all was ready we went in search of a shop for dog food and a little treat for me.

Showered, phone charged and a chat with a group of people we are back in our tent ready for bed.

Tomorrow is a 12 mile walk, so I suspect my aching thighs are going to sting tomorrow.