Exmouth and Jellyfish

Today Alfie, Freddie and I embarked on our first training session for our South West version of the West Highland Way. The great thing about doing this walk close to home is that the beagles can come too - well that's the plan, they will probably have other ideas!
This morning I got up and it was a beautiful sunny day so I got my map out and had a look at the route we would take. I made a sandwich and a smoothie and packed some water, carrots and snacks for the boys grabbed leads and headed up towards Exmouth.
I have never been to Exmouth, to my knowledge (maybe as a child - but that was a very long time ago!) I didn't really know where I was going to park or walk, although the idea was to follow the coastline.
About three quarters of the way to Exmouth, I realised I had left my purse at home, what a pain, did I go back? Thinking quickly I checked my change pot that I keep in the car for parking hmmm 35 pence, that was not going to help. Maybe I could find somewhere free to leave the car. Actually not such a great idea, since a few years ago I cycled the London to Brighton and got my friend to meet me and drive me back and they could not remember where they parked the car, so we ended up walking round Brighton for a good hour until we stumbled upon it (He's was not very bright and I was not very happy!)
Anyway I thought a car park would be my best bet, then it came to me, Mobile phone parking - it was bound to work, so I carried on to Exmouth.
I came up to the train station and there was a huge car park there so I drove in, only to find that there was not a text to park but you had to register with a website then load up credit card details. hmmmm could I remember the number and expiry date. Sadly, I do actually know the number of my credit card and took a punt at the expiry date - success! (just goes to show how much I must use online shopping!!)
So parked - legally - we all got out and wandered towards the sea.
It was truly a beautiful day, although a bit breezy right on the coast. Just a few puffy clouds in the sky.

Alfie, Freddie and I walked along the coastline taking in the sea air, that smell just a hint of seaweed, the kind as a child you used to get when just arriving at the seaside ready for a day on the beach with bucket & spade, I still love that smell to this day.
Wandering along the quayside I was amazed to see a huge Jellyfish in the shallow water, it must have been dead as it was not moving but it was huge.

I was glad I didn't have the urge to go for a paddle, since this would have put me off straight away.

We wandered at a leisurely pace along past the marina which looks an amazing place to live the apartments all smart and pristine very clean with no litter and so many boats.

Carrying on our walk took us along the esplanade where there is a dog friendly beach all year round and plenty of ice cream vendors. I am partial to an ice cream but having had my senior moment forgetting my purse, I had to just look today.
The beach at Exmouth stretches for seemingly miles and past the dog friendly section there were kite surfers taking advantage of the breeze and beach volley ball nets up ready for play to begin.

So much has changed since my childhood at the beach, I do recall donkey rides, but no organised games or surfers of any description.

We had travelled about 3 miles so I thought it was time for a snack stop, Alfie and Freddie - ever ready for food demolished their carrots pretty quickly and were ready to head off again. We headed back across the scrub land the other side of the road from the beach, a huge expanse where people were picnicking and playing and running around with dogs.
Our route took us towards the town, and before we knew it we were back near the car park where we first started.
The beags didn't look ready to head home, so we headed off in the opposite direction towards Lympstone along the coast path. It was pretty warm by now I had taken off my sweatshirt as the sun was burning down - even with the sea breeze.
As we headed further along, the tide had gone out and we saw probably around 10 to 15 huge dead jellyfish along the shore line. I thought the boys would be all over them but thankfully they steered clear of them. Very strange.

My beagles don't really like water but Alfie will have a paddle if the weather is warm. Freddie hates water so does his best to avoid it at all costs. Being on a split lead they often have a bit of a tug of war when Alfie wants to go in the water. Luckily I did bring a separate lead for Freddie so Alfie was able to splash about whilst Freddie stayed on dry land pretty much.

We headed back towards the car and completed around 7 miles all in all.

The beags slept all the way back home and pretty much all afternoon, although were quite happy to go out for a more local short stroll later on.

News from the WHW contingent, sadly, Suzanne has had to pull out, as she has a damaged ankle and has been advised not to walk much on it. That's not really that helpful when you have a 96 mile walk planned! She will be missed by all.
Claire and Clare have been planning what to take and getting lists together. No surprises that Clare's list contains tweezers and Claire's contains ear defenders - I wonder why?
No noise from either of the boys, I'm sure they are going to be fighting fit and ready to take on the girls!