Vagabonding: The act of leaving behind the orderly world to travel independently for an extended period of time and a deliberate way of living that makes freedom to travel possible.
Living on the edge of Braunton in North Devon during the current crisis has it advantages in that we have so many lovely quiet walks right on our doorstep. We get out every morning for an hour or two and head in various directions along deserted footpaths and bridleways. We hardly see another soul on our daily exercise hikes but practice the social distancing advice if we do.
This morning, as the weather was forecast to be especially nice, we thought we would head west towards the sea and do a circular walk to Croyde Bay and back. With blue skies and just a hint of a breeze it looked like the perfect walk.
“Out the door and an immediate banana to get those energy levels up”“The upper track leading past Knowle towards Nethercott”
“Through Lobthorn Stile and out onto Long Lane across Lobb Hill”“Steeper drop on this stile on the aerial road across Lobb Hill”“Surfers on Croyde Beach. They seem to think that the social distancing rules are not designed for them”“Slightly irritated at the sight of those surfers groupined together completely disregarding all of the distancing rules that millions of others are obeying”“Leaving the almost-deserted Croyde Beach”“So many fabulous little coffee shops and restaurants are currently closed. Hopefully they’ll be up and running in a few months as usual”
“Few people still working including these master thatchers. Fascinating to watch”“Jumper off and showing off as we left Darracott”
“Some of the views, in fact most of the views, are amazing as we cross from Darracott to Cott Cross”“Almost back to our lodgings at Braunton”“More showing off as we get back home ready for a coffee”
A beautiful walk through stunning scenery only slightly spoilt by my ridiculous expression as we neared home. Thoughts of coffee and biscuits overtook me and I completely lost control. Apologies all round.
We’re so lucky to be staying in this crazily good part of the world. The weather is doing it’s best to help too.
Keep safe and healthy out there and just keep up your social distancing. It’s not easy but it’s critical.
It really does make a huge difference. We have been so lucky finding somewhere so peaceful and quiet to spend this time. I can’t imagine being stuck someplace where we couldn’t get outside. Hope you guys are both keeping safe and healthy?
It’s truly wonderful, we have been so lucky to have been able to hold up here and have so many walks and hikes to explore. Hope you guys are both keeping healthy?
It’s been wonderful and we really have been so lucky to be able to get these lovely walks in each day. Thanks Anda, hope you are keeping happy and healthy at this difficult time?
One bonus of these terrible circumstances is the time and opportunity to discover the lovely walks in our local areas. And what weather for exploring them!
Glad to see that lockdown is treating you well. You’re very lucky to have that magnificent stress reliever on your doorstep. I feel so sorry for all of those trapped in flats and don’t even have a communal garden they can mince around. Stay safe.
We’ve more than lucky to be able to stay down here, really trying to make the most of the lovely countryside and walks all around too. Don’t know how we’d handle being stuck in a flat with no outside space, it’d be so tough.
We’ve been unbelievably lucky in being able to hang out here during the crisis. So many quiet walks on our doorstep and lovely countryside all around. Might stay for good!
Had a stint of excellent weather in the South East too. I suspect those surfers are the sort of people that don’t indicate on one way systems, or at roundabouts!
I really enjoyed this countryside walk with you. Beautiful green countryside, and a surf beach. I could watch surfers for ages, and out on the water they probably looked closer than they actually were.
Lovely walks all around here, we’ve been pretty fortunate to be able to stay somewhere so quiet and out of the way of all of the madness. Hope you’re keeping safe and well Chris?
Those surfers do sound like idiots, but glad you can avoid people otherwise! I haven’t even been in Richmond Park since right after lockdown started, even though we live only a minute’s walk away, because it’s still too busy, even though they’ve banned cars and cyclists. I think people are still driving in, parking on our road, and then walking in, which they really shouldn’t be doing!
JWalking 
glad you all are able to get out and about. It sure makes a difference!
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It really does make a huge difference. We have been so lucky finding somewhere so peaceful and quiet to spend this time. I can’t imagine being stuck someplace where we couldn’t get outside. Hope you guys are both keeping safe and healthy?
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Walking soothes my mind .
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It’s a marvellous way to relax and chill out and just have time to think isn’t it? Daily walking is just great for a healthy lifestyle .
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So scenic.
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It’s truly wonderful, we have been so lucky to have been able to hold up here and have so many walks and hikes to explore. Hope you guys are both keeping healthy?
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We are, thanks! We miss getting out in nature like you’re able to, but we have nothing to complain about 🙂
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As long as you have a few interests and hobbies it’s not too difficult to fill your days is it?
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Oh wow, lovely guys. I spent every childhood holiday in Croyde Bay. Lovely post, thank you xx
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Thanks Lydia. It’s such a beautiful part of the world isn’t it? And so lovely at the moment with everywhere being so quiet.
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Great Shrek look Jonno!
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Ha that was a look of relief as we were closing in on our home, looking forward to a coffee or two and a sit down. Great walk though.
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Beautiful pictures. Nice place to be during this pause.
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It’s a wonderful place to be during this awful crisis and the scenery all around is simply stunning.
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So great you have the chance to go for these walks every day! Beautiful scenery, I loved the photos 🙂
Anda
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It’s been wonderful and we really have been so lucky to be able to get these lovely walks in each day. Thanks Anda, hope you are keeping happy and healthy at this difficult time?
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If you have to be stuck somewhere this is a beautiful place to be! You’re lucky to have places you can walk to. Enjoy!
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We really have been so lucky to have been locked down somewhere so lovely. So many walks that we are trying to explore and experience.
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One bonus of these terrible circumstances is the time and opportunity to discover the lovely walks in our local areas. And what weather for exploring them!
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It’s been amazing hasn’t it, so lucky at the moment with these sunny days. And we’re loving our daily walks.
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Definitely!
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Nice one! Despite the silly face 🙂 🙂 Such a shame for the cafés though! They could be doing such good business.
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Can’t help the face, it came with the body! Hopefully those cafes and bars will all bounce back with even more trade once we are through this crisis.
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I knew you’d say that, and I nearly said it for you 🙂 🙂
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So predictable eh?
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What a lovely walk, we are also fortunate to have many idyllic walks on our doorstep. Let’s make the best of this beautiful weather whilst we can!
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You really do have to make the best of it whilst it lasts don’t you? Still only April.
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I’m glad you two are safe and found a place to stay that still allows you to get outside. Beautiful photos!
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We’ve been so lucky and live where we’re now living. So many walks and quiet places to explore too.
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That is a fabulous walk indeed. Although I love where I live I’m starting to get very fed up with tramping through the same streets all the time.
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It can be tricky if you are restricted to the same walks. We have been so very lucky in being able to stay here in North Devon.
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Glad to see that lockdown is treating you well. You’re very lucky to have that magnificent stress reliever on your doorstep. I feel so sorry for all of those trapped in flats and don’t even have a communal garden they can mince around. Stay safe.
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We’ve more than lucky to be able to stay down here, really trying to make the most of the lovely countryside and walks all around too. Don’t know how we’d handle being stuck in a flat with no outside space, it’d be so tough.
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Looks like you have landed on your feet so to speak with such a beautiful spot to explore.
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We’ve been unbelievably lucky in being able to hang out here during the crisis. So many quiet walks on our doorstep and lovely countryside all around. Might stay for good!
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I don’t believe that! Have a great weekend.
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Hmmm, Staunton and Braunton and not far from Taunton. Stay safe and healthy.
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Ok Ok I get it, we’ve got dodgy named places too (a bit).
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👏
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Had a stint of excellent weather in the South East too. I suspect those surfers are the sort of people that don’t indicate on one way systems, or at roundabouts!
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Complete selfish idiots aren’t they? Think the rules don’t apply to them.
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I wish I had such a nice place to walk! I enjoyed the photos.
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I really enjoyed this countryside walk with you. Beautiful green countryside, and a surf beach. I could watch surfers for ages, and out on the water they probably looked closer than they actually were.
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Lovely walks all around here, we’ve been pretty fortunate to be able to stay somewhere so quiet and out of the way of all of the madness. Hope you’re keeping safe and well Chris?
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Those surfers do sound like idiots, but glad you can avoid people otherwise! I haven’t even been in Richmond Park since right after lockdown started, even though we live only a minute’s walk away, because it’s still too busy, even though they’ve banned cars and cyclists. I think people are still driving in, parking on our road, and then walking in, which they really shouldn’t be doing!
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