Day 82: Roborough to Holemoor
📏 Distance: 19.5 miles (31.38 km)
☀️ Weather: Hot all day, with a rogue shower in the morning
⏰ Start Time: 10:00 | Finish Time: 18:00
After being dropped back at Roborough by Adam—where he’d collected me the night before—it was a slightly later start than usual. Almost immediately, I was hit by a heavy downpour. Not the best way to begin a long day,
Thankfully, once the rain cleared, it stayed dry for the rest of the day. But it quickly became very hot and humid, and with little to no shade and a series of punishing inclines, the walking turned into a real slog.
I diverted to the village of Shebbear, a welcome break where I was able to get some liquid refreshment and refill my water bottles.
Not many photos today—much of the route was along narrow lanes hemmed in by high hedges, blocking out any real views. When I did catch a glimpse of the landscape, it was that familiar Devon countryside: green, undulating, and stretching endlessly. Beautiful, but a bit repetitive after a while.
Meanwhile, Adam had his own adventure. He arrived at our planned campsite only to find that the owners were still away on holiday. Luckily, he was rescued by Dennis, a fellow camper, who not only helped him find a pitch but also offered his own car to drive Adam out to our pick-up point. An absolute legend.
Later that evening, Dennis and his wife Lorraine joined us for a meal at the Bickford Arms. We had a great time, and the kindness didn’t end there. The pub staff—Annmarie, Keith, John, and Peter—were interested in the JoGLE story, took some flyers, and then went above and beyond by donating the cost of my meal. Huge thanks to them all for their generosity, warmth, and enthusiasm.
Tomorrow is a shorter day, so I’ll be taking the rare opportunity for a bit of a lie-in. Much needed after today’s heat and hills!
