At Least The Views Are Free
There's no denying that Salcombe is a pretty place. Lying at the mouth of the Kingsbridge estuary, it's home to lots of independent business. At least two gin distilleries, an ice cream factory and one Good Beer Guide Pub, the Kings Arms.
Of course, the King's Arms presented the worst pint of the week so far, but we will come to that once my contactless card has recovered.
First the walk. In a first for the blog, it involves a ferry. We start at Lincombe Cross National Trust, high above the town and providing fine views. A drop down to Batson and Shadycombe before we arrive at the town at the working quayside. An Adventure Lab Cache takes us to places of interest.
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| Today's adventure playground |
We're walking the Portlemouth Downs part of the SWCP and to get there requires the ferry. Regular blog readers will know I like to moan about the rail prices when I am paying more than a £1 a mile. Salcombe ferry beats that into a cocked hat. £2.70 each way. I can always remember my dad saying "I could spit that far" when we first holidayed in the Isle of Wight. This requires less effort.
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| But it was fun. And dogs go free. I identify as canine. Woof. |
The walking was a joy. Unexpected beaches, with it being hard to tell the best between Mill Bay and Sunny Cove. Dramatic coast line. A stupidly posh hotel at the turning inland point, where a velvet rope separates punters from the terraced patio that they want to sit. "Please wait to be shown to your seat" on the signage. A wonderfully shaded green lane to bring you back to the ferry, which must be reached by 6pm or else you are swimming for the pub.
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| Sunny Cove |
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| The SWCP |
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| Shady green lanes to return |
Onto the Kings Arms, where the local have got it so wrong. This is the third pub pint of the week. A glorious Otter in Beesands. A wonderful Proper Job in Hope Cove. Check the blogs. Today, I get a very average pint of Salcombe Shingle Bay in a slightly dirty glass. Half way through and Mrs M says "That doesn't look very lively". She was right. It wasn't.
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| There was a clue to the disappointment - Pub and Kitchen spells danger |
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| As good as it gets |
The quality of a pint may be variable but the cost isn't. It was kind of fun hearing other people say aloud what I had been thinking. My favourite comment from a brummie who boomed - "Bloody Hell, that's another world record broken". He had been charged £21 for a wine and a pint.
For comparison purposes, the Pravah - a 4% Eurofizz - retails here for £6.80. I do not know if the dash of lime was extra.
Still, if you are catering for tourists rather than regulars, you can chance your arms and charge what you like.
Walk Details
Distance - 6.5 Miles
Geocaches - 6
Walk Inspiration - Outdoor Guide via the Ordnance Survey App
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