Ottery St Mary to Budleigh Salterton

I had Tuesday off so, once I'd done my unexciting admin, I set off for the sea.  I'd often wondered how long it would take to walk to the coast from Ottery and today was my chance.  It wasn't really a hard walk - get to the river at Ottery and turn left, keep walking, find sea.  

Once I'd said 'hi' to the river I found myself on a portion of the old railway route from Ottery to Budleigh. 

Then I found some old friends, and was pleased that we had a fence between us.   This random bridge here once carried the railway.

I walked down past Harpford, crossing where I'd previously walked with the East Devon Way.  I'm sure I'd have remembered the bull bit though.

JC and I had walked some of this path before and lost the path in Newton Poppleford.  I did again this time - it is super unmarked and involves turning right before a big tree which I missed.  However, a helpful local put me right and I was back on a narrow path behind the houses, and then onto a path by the fields.

I walked past Colaton Raleigh and found myself a lovely lunch spot. Sushi, crudités and humous isn't too shabby for a walk ;-)

From Colaton Raleigh it was an easy, and pleasant stroll down to Otterton Mill where I enjoyed a tea and gluten free scone.

From the Mill I was on home ground as I've walked this path dozens of times.  

It's certainly interesting to see what the Lower Otter Restoration Projent, LORP, are up to.  They've moved the cricket pitch and are allowing the fields to flood: it's fabulous to see the birds moving in to the newly created wetlands.  The footpath will be broken through soon (hence bridge foundations) allowing the sea to inundate and create some amazing saline wetlands.  

All in a lovely 16.4 km stroll, and thanks for picking me up in Budleigh JC!