Devon Coast to Coast

We're just back from walking the devon Coast to Coast walk. Starting at Wembury Beach in South Devon and finishing at Lynmouth on the north coast, its a great walk incorporating as it does the Two Moors Way and the Erme-Plym Trail (the first day of walking and the bit that links the south coast to the start of the Two Moors Way at Ivybridge). It took us 6 days, averaging around 16 or 17 miles per day. Some days were longer than others of course, and the last day came in at around 19.

The countryside is amazing of course, expecially Dartmoor and Exmoor. What's also amazing, for someone who lives in Northern Ireland at any rate, is the fact that the countryside is just so accessible. So many paths, so much open country where you are free to just roam, safe in the knowledge that you have the right to do so. It is little wonder that activity tourism generates so much money for the local economy. All the way along the Coast to Coast trail a thriving tourist trade has developed. B&Bs, country farm house accommodation, taxi services, luggage transfer, package tour operators, all only really exist because the trail exists in the first place.

The lack of political will to improve the access situation in Northern Ireland continues to inhibit such economic opportunities for similar rural communities here.