09/07/20 - Tarka Trail to Ilfracombe's Prince of Wales

Distance - 7.5 Miles
Geocaches - 11
Walk Inspiration - CW Magazine, Nov 1998, Walk 1

Telling friends and family we were holidaying near Ilfracombe elicited two types of response.  The tactile momentarily winced.  The more brazen extolled "what do you want to go to that dump for?".

We'll make up our own minds.

Today's walk was adapted heavily due to the conditions.  Two days of rain hadn't totally cleared, and the thought of slopping through agricultural fields did not appeal. The former track-bed of the Barnstaple to Ilfracombe railway line was tarmacked, dog off lead friendly and was appealing enough to turn into a there and back walk.

Its also Geocache laden, so I was able to find some on the way out, some on the way back and some not at all.

Walking the Tarka Line

Guide Dog Abi, finding water, playing hide and seek

But helping with the Geocaching

Easy navigation and walking into the town to complete our survey, primarily looking for somewhere open to get a drink.

First thing we find is the landmark theatre - strangely reminiscent of the Sheffield Cooling Tower next to the M1.  The little beach front - with no anti dog warnings - is more appealing.

Theatre or Electricity Production

Beach side romp

I've made a note of the Good Beer Guide pubs in town.  The Hip and Pistol is not quite reopen, the Wellington must be supporting the rule that you cannot judge a book by its cover and this leaves the Admiral Collingwood.

It looks mightily impressive from the outside but the sign font looks oh so familiar.  Although I have not downloaded the NeverSpoons app, I'm not quite ready to give Father Jack my money yet.  Having seen the latest posters of mistruth, this is even more unlikely in the near future.

Please don't mix politics and beer.  Politics and lies, OK.

Besides, Wetherspoons still have an outside dog ban.  We'll keep looking.

The search takes us the harbour, which is quite delightful.  Hand made pasties and ice-creams can be purchased and plenty of seating to enjoy them on.

Damian Hirst Statue - Verity

Fore Street seems a decent place to head for a drink - with the George and Dragon and Prince of Wales adjacent to each other but the latter the only one open before 4pm.

It wears is age well - signs suggesting a building has been here since 1280 and the bar area dominated by a 700 year old well that was found during C19th rennovations.

More important than that was an unlikely find of Timothy Taylor Landlord.  The first time I have found the king of beers since lockdown.

Fore Street - put out the bunting for a two pubber

Where to balance your TT Landlord

We continue our walk along the high street.  In the interests of positivity, I will leave the blog there.

Our friends and family were half right.