A feeling of achievement despite being unprepared

REGULAR readers may recall that I have recently been motivated to explore our maginificent South West Coast Path.

- BECKY SHEAVES

No, my inspiration is not the new film The Salt Path - although I can’t wait to see it and loved the book. Closer to home, my dad and his wife Chris have been working their way around the path. They recently completed the stretch near us, between Budleigh Salterton and Lyme Regis. I went along with them for two long days of serious walking. I absolutely loved every second of it.

My older son Luke (23) is working upcountry these days but was home for the weekend. As a result of his new lifestyle, he has renewed enthusiasm for getting out into the beauty of nature. There is nothing like spending hours a day on the District Line to make you realise quite how lovely the Westcountry is.

I proposed that we should try to fill in the stretches I had missed when Dad and Chris were completing “our” section. So we decided we'd tick off the bit between Sidmouth and Budleigh.

On the days when I walked with the experts (aka Dad and Chris), we'd be up and out of the house early, complete with excellent packed lunch, maps, guide books and chocolate supplies which we saved for proper emergencies or ate only once we arrived at our end point. We'd consult the weather forecast and pack our day bags accordingly.