Following the last training walk, the weather has improved immeasurably and North Devon is showing signs of having a cracking early summer. The bluebells and wild garlic are out in abundance, primroses and wood anemones are peeping through and, incredibly, there are still some late daffodils around.
All this nice weather means it’s full-on flying lesson weather, so the training walks have been put on hold. However, we agree it is a good idea to complete a mini-walk in half term, at the beginning of June, so we set about planning this and booking accommodation. We decide on a three-day walk, covering part of the South West Coast Path, from Westward Ho! to Bude.
Norman has been recovering well from his operation and agrees he will accompany the rest of Team Charlie on this walk, which will be a very good test and will give us a good idea of what we are all capable of and where we need to train further.
Accommodation is limited in choice to places which welcome dogs, but at the first stop, in Clovelly, we find Donkey Shoe Cottage, which is in the heart of the village.
The next stop is Hartland, where we find the nearest B&B which will take dogs is Greenlake Farm, some two miles or so inland. Luckily, the landlady also offers a pickup service.