Going paddling at Broadsands

Dartmouth Steam Railway above
the South West Coast Path 

It's been glorious in Torbay this week! Making the most of our time here before the schools break up and the bay is swamped with tourists, we decided to walk another short section of the South West Coast Path. Our intention was to explore from Goodrington Sands to the edge of Brixham, thereby joining up (as near as makes no difference!) with our previous Brixham to Berry Head walk.

We parked at Goodrington Sands where three hours is £4 except I got a bit confused and put £3 in the machine so we only had two hours for our walk. In hindsight we should have just jumped on a bus from Torquay. My dayrider ticket would have been £5, but Dave has a free bus pass. Then we wouldn't have had any time restraints or been obliged to return to our start point. We'll know for next time!

Looking back towards Torquay 

The Coast Path swiftly leaves the Goodrington Sands water park - and its shrieks! - behind to undulate along the cliffs. It pretty much follows the Dartmouth Steam Railway line that we travelled last summer in the train. Not exactly alongside though - that would be far too flat for a good footpath! Instead, here, the path is uppy-downy enough (technical term) to challenge us, but without ever making us feel that the effort would be overwhelming. We had expected a sea breeze to diffuse the day's heat, but that relief rarely materialised.

Having originally planned to go further than Broadsands Beach, some three-quarters of an hour's walk from Goodrington Sands, we were actually happy to pause there a while and have our first paddle of the summer. After a few minutes the water felt positively warm and Dave is keen to return soon and swim. We also treated ourselves to a Devon-made Yarde Farm ice cream each (I loved the Lime And Basil flavour) before scrubbing dried sand off our feet and booting up for the return walk.

Beach huts at Broadsands