Exhausted but exhilarated by walking on coast path

SIX years ago, my dad and his wife Chris decided to walk the whole of the South West Coast Path.

- BECKY SHEAVES

Over the years they have steadfastly made their way around the peninsula, walking for a week or a fortnight at a time. This intrepid couple have followed the path properly, which is to say they have completed every step of the way strictly in order. You can follow their adventures on Dad's blog at longsteephill. co.uk, which is well worth a read and very funny.

Dad and Chris have changed their routines as they have gone, learning from hard-won experience. At first, they intended to carry tents and camp. But the steep hills of Exmoor, mostly undertaken in the rain, convinced them that bricks, mortar and a bed for the night were the way to go. So now they organise places to stay, along with buses and taxis to get them to and from their start and finish points every day.

This spring, however, there was great excitement in our household because Dad and Chris had finally got to our neck of the woods. So instead of booking AirBnBs, they would be staying with us and setting out every day to walk between Budleigh Salterton and Lyme Regis.

Now, life was a tiny bit busy (as usual) when they visited so I couldn't go with them every day. But I did agree to do one day of walking with them.

I must admit to some trepidation. The thought of going from Sidmouth to Branscombe on foot was somewhat daunting.