Days 4 & 5 - Gad it's hot!

Day 4 – 24 May 2010
Gad it’s hot. West Bay/Bridport to Sidmouth today – another marathon in the bank and a Mars bar in the stomach! Hottest day so far, a very difficult day. Team met me 3 times with water and moral support. Bought ice cream at beachside cafe late afternoon – she said ‘too hot for walking?’ I replied ‘I’m actually running 630 miles for Cancer Research ...’ – she then gave me £5. 10 mins later I met a Canadian walker on the footpath who gave me £3. John and Ro were also finding so many kind and generous people on the road; perhaps most notably in Seaton where the retired Mayoress and her husband asked them into their garden on the seafront where they were awaiting my arrival. They provided tea, coffee and biscuits – what a lovely couple – and both well into their 90’s! The heat started to get to me – I was joined by Noel Coward singing ‘Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun’ all afternoon! He just wouldn’t shut up. My sanity returned when our overnight stop and meals were kindly provided by John’s relation, Do, in Whimple, near Exeter. Wonderful hospitality and a much needed soak in the bath for me!

Day 5 – 25 May 2010
After a good breakfast at Do’s house, the A team dropped me back at Sidmouth to continue my weary way to Torbay, meeting me en route at Budleigh Salterton, Exmouth, Teignmouth and Babbacombe. Today’s trip also included 2 river crossings – at Exmouth and Teignmouth. Very nice ferryman at the latter who took me across for no charge! Weather still hot but more humid than yesterday so I slowed down a lot through the afternoon; despite this managed to complete another 30 miles today before ‘shuffling’ into Paignton where Ro and John had found a ‘good value’ B&B’. During evening meal we planned how to get Ro to her hospital appointment at Barnstaple tomorrow afternoon – life is never simple is it!