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Kingston

With the weather on the turn and a heavy night of drinking behind me Saturday was the day to tackle the Kingston section of the coastpath.

Due to a bit of a late start I needed a walk that was fairly short (so I didn't run out of light) but challenging enough to blow away the cobwebs and restore that great feeling you get from being in the outdoors.

This week we helped a customer take their boat down to Plymouth and having not done this stretch before i was stunned by how different the landscape looks from the water as aposed to the coastpath. This spurred me on to crack on with my walking which has been somewhat overshadowed by my rowing exploits this summer.

We (Meg and I) parked in Kingston and took the road out to meander down through the woods and join the start of the path on the Kingston side of the river. The path then works its way out to the mouth and turns the corner to give you a great view of Burgh Island. This part of the path is a mixture of gentle ascent and descents combined with some real killers. It defiantly got the heart pumping. It was a great little stretch for Meg who for the most part could run free. At the Scabbcombe farm section Dolly was in attendance so a little lead walking was required while I gently told Dolly that it was ok and we were just passing through. I must admit they were pretty close to the cliff edge and all I could think of was a) I might be about to kill Dolly and Shaun the sheep and b) what the hell is the protocol for reporting suicidal sheep?

Anyways once we had negotiated safe passage through the flock and kept all of the sheep on the cliff we came across Flora. We were at the top of the steepest section of our walk. Luckily the bottom marked the turning point in our walk for the day because the ascent looks horrendous.

We are at the top of the path. The wind has picked up and the path has been diverted slightly due to the cliff erosion. The cliff appears to have continued to erode and is now closer than you would like to the diverted path. From the top we can see Flora. Brown amongst a herd of black. Flora is the only One standing. From the top she looked menacing. Meg is on her lead and we are being blown fairly strongly making the decent more tricky than I had anticipated. Every now and again I glance down at the end of the path and there stands Flora, glaring at us. As we got closer and the path cut in towards her you could see the glare. I so wish we had stopped for a selfie. She followed us with her glare (to lazy to move) until we were well round the corner and out of her way.

We took the path leading up through the base of the valley. The last time I was on this path I remembered it was a little damp. In my hungover state that morning this had all been forgotten. As we are making our way steadily up it's getting muddier and the puddles are getting deeper. My walking shoes, yes shoes not boots, are caked in mud and I'm loosing grip as the treds are so thick in gloop. A welcome lone puddle is handy for Meg who seems to like drinking muddy water and my shoes. No sooner have I removed some of the mud I turn a bend and am confronted with another stretch of muddy pathway. When we make if back to the car I have mud all up my legs and am removing my plastered shoes.

What an awesome way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

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A long overdue update

Well for a snail trail adventurer everything has kind of sped up over the last few months. At the end of May i was offered the opportunity to have a go at climbing yacht masts for a living. Ever since my Atlantic crossing and the family we encountered in the marina in San Sebastian, La Gomera i have wanted to het in to this industry. So it was a gamble to leave a dead end job, where i was well paid for doing not a lot, in pursuit of a new skill in a new industry. Terrifying and exciting. Now three months in i can say it was the best life decision i have made to date (ok maybe second best to agreeing to row the Atlantic). What does this mean for the JOGLE? Well going from a sedentary desk job to life on the ocean waves (aka the river Dart) has knocked me for six. I worked out it had been 8 years since i last worked a job where I was on my feet all day. Shock to the system. This coupled with my existing commitments as the ladies captain at the rowing club has led to walking taking a bit of a back seat this summer. I have done the odd day walk and short trip knocking off parts of the SWCP but haven't committed as i intended this summer. The JOGLE. Well thats on hold. I will do it. I may just have to consider completing it in the winter months when my workload will be significantly less. This will make the trip more expensive as i don't really fancy camping between Nov-March. For now i shall continue to save, keep cracking on with the Coast Path with the aim of completing it this year. Today i completed the walk from East Portlemouth to Gara Rock. How have i lived here this long and not done this walk? The weather was drizzly and generally a little dull but the views were still spectacular. Mot long after joining the path i found myself smiling away. I had forgotten just how much i love hitting the path and soaking in the scenery. Topped off by a smashing Bowl of soup at Gara Rock and that my friends was my perfect Sunday. I made a promise to myself today to not neglect my walking again so watch this space for more regular updates. Pictures to follow.

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A bonus weekend walk

The BBC weather gods predicted that today would be a nasty weather day. How surprised was I to wake up to glorious sunshine this morning. Bonus another day for a good walk. Last week I lent my map to couple in one of the cafes. The guy was from Plymouth and I explained that I was from Dartmouth and had recently discovered Jennycliff. Since then I have been thinking of it on and off and today at just after 10am I set off from Jennycliff towards Wembury. I was on to a good thing. Walking Meg (my mums dog) I had a guaranteed lift from Wembury back to the van and the brilliant Jennycliff cafe. I set off with my loaded pack at 18kg (random bits and pieces to achieve the weight). Today's walk was one of those that is hard to gauge. The path appears on the map to wandering up and down the contour lines, however they are so close together it is hard to tell how steep the ascents and descents are or if you do meander up and down or simply stay on the cliff top. The first part of the walk was the hardest. After climbing out of Jennycliff you enter a wooded area and decent down the cliff face before using wooden structured stair cases to make your way back up to the top towards Stadden Heights. I was already starting to question whether or not the pack weight was a wise choice. My baseline speed is around 3mph which makes my watch go off every 20minutes. I had in my mind that I would be expecting around 30minute miles dropping me down to 2mph. I expected the added pack weight to slow me by 1mph. Coming down from Stadden Heights and around towards Heybrook Bay i was surprised to find that my first mile was 26minutes but as the terrain improved my speed returned to around 2.9mph. I actually finished my last mile at 3mph. The path had gentle accents and decents and some nice flat bits too. So pack weight justified and an adjustment needed in my expectations. Back to the path. There were lots of runners out today. Approaching Heybrook bay I was overtaken by a slim small framed lady with a gent trailing slightly behind wearing a bandana. She was wearing a florescent pink top and he a blue one. I thought nothing else of it and carried on. The holiday park at Heybrook Bay has lots of little lodges overlooking the sound. As you come to the end the land arcs around and the lodges have a view from the back of the breakwater across to Plymouth. Truly spectacular. Sat outside two of the lodges were some older couples enjoying the day, simply sitting and enjoying the view. Approaching the mew stone off we go around the corner. As we wind our way up and around the next cove I look up to try and see where the path runs. I can see a small pink frame and a bright blue bandana wearer running back towards us. I track them (with my eyes) and promptly trip up on the raised rocks now making up the path. Running really is bad for you!! Shortly after they have passed a group of young people come by packs weighted full of chatter. I think nothing of it until I see another group. It was the ten tors event yesterday so these must be young people doing their Duke of Edinburgh or similar. With each group I pass I give them approximate time gaps to the proceeding groups. This continues until I get to Wembury where there is a school minibus and the last group setting off. Coming into Wembury there is a beach (sadly the dog can't go on the beach) and I soon learn we are in National Trust land. The path passes above the beach and up past a lovely little cafe to a carpark and seated area. We sat in the sunshine enjoying our treats and waiting for our lift back to Jennycliff. 5 miles completed in just short of 2 hours. Off back to Jennycliff for a lush lunch at the cafe. First I need to navigate to it using the os map. It turns out I'm not very good at map reading when in the car. Eventually we get there. Lunch and the super cup of tea make the prolonged journey well worth it. Fingers are crossed for good weather next week.

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Reflections and changes

A week back in 'normality' and I'd much rather be on the coast path. The weather turned windy this week and changed to wet this weekend. Undeterred we pressed on with the coast path quest. Lessons learnt from my week long stretch on the Coast Path Shoes: I am much more comfortable on different terrains in my trail shoes as apposed to my walking boots. I think on the JOGLE I will be doing a mixture of road and off road walking and the trail shoes will give me the ankle flexibility and support I need. Camping: I was disappointed that I didn't get to try camping out. This week a relative has kindly let me try their tent. I erected it today and looking at it folding back into its tiny pack I realised that I like to be comfortable. What worries me about thentent I had last week was that it was big enough for me only. My kit shoes wet weather gear would all need to be outside in the elements. This tent was much better than the one I intended to use last week. Providing ample inside space and some outdoor space your pack and shoes can be left inside the tent but outside the sleeping pod. I just have to try it now. Personal equipment: I underestimated the need to look after my skin. I really need to make space for suncream and moisturiser to keep my skin healthy. Clothing: Although it got really cold in the evenings I was more than comfortable wearing my shorts by day and layering up with my waterproof trousers in the evenings and when it was a bit windy or rainy. This will really save on pack space. Relieving the need for trousers. My moisture wicking Adidas shorts were amazing. Really comfortable when walking and when I washed them on my return home, washing machine to wearing time was 2 hours. Wow. I have never worn anything that drys that fast. I was a little disappointed in my t-shirts. On the Wednesday on my trip I took one of my moisture wicking t-shirts into the shower to try and give it a rinse through. I hung it over the wing mirror of the van to blow in the wind, brought it in at night and returned it to the wing mirror the next day. It took four days for the top to dry. Back to the drawing board on that one. Food: I intended to carry food with me on my trip but the reality is most villages and towns along the South West Coast Path and the JOGLE will have shops that sell food. There is no need for me to carry the extra weight of multiple days worth of food when I expect to be in the vicinity of a shop almost every day. I think I should carry an emergency supply (one days worth) and then buy as I need. Training: I need to up my game. Living in hilly Dartmouth I could tackle the ascents with speed carrying my day pack, but I'm not so sure how I would have faired with more weight. Chickening out on the camping out I went from carrying a pack of around 18kg to a day pack of less than 10kg. Over the bank holiday weekend I carried the boy wander who I weighed today at 11kg. That made a real difference (and added even more disappointment to my overtaking of the walkers and their heavy packs last week). This week I have had an unusual week with a change to the routine for morning dog walking and wanting to take it easy after such a big week last week. My week consisted of the following: Monday - rowing training (Olympic, slide seat) dynamic circuit followed by 14k row (6mins on 10mins off x4) Tuesday - Weights Circuit (10 Rep max) squats, bench press, lunges, bench pull, dead lifts Wednesday - 3.5 mile walk av moving speed 3.3mph Thursday - 3.2 mile walk av moving speed 3mph (carrying 5kg pack) Friday - Seine boat rowing 3k Saturday - 4.4 mile walk Kingston and a small section of the coast path carrying the boy wander (11kg). From next week I intend to train as follows: Monday- dynamic circuit and rowing Tuesday - 3 Mile walk no pack, Weights Circuit Wednesday - either swimming (1mile) or paddleboarding Thursday - 3-5mile walk pack weight 10-15kg Friday - 3 mile walk day pack weight <10kg Weekend - walk at least 5 miles on the coast path carrying at least 10kg I am hoping that in continuing to walk without a pack i can keep increasing my baseline speed, and when walking with the weight can build my fitness to be able to travel at speed whilst carrying a full pack. I will continue to monitor how this progresses and make adjustments as necessary. No doubt I will tell you all about it. Pictures this week include my walking routes and today's walk from Kingston.

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May Bank Holiday SWC Path

As predicted by the BBC Weather Gods this weekend brought some very interesting weather. Saturday was forecast to be the best of the rest so we set off along the coast path into St Ives, had a wander and a bite to eat before walking back to the camp site. Although having already done this walk, instead of my day pack I was carrying my nephew. In all my boy wander pack weight was just over 10kg. This I found made the walk very different. Where before I would be able to lengthen or shorten my stride to get better footings I had to be much more purposeful with my steps. I'm sure with a pack of that weight you can throw it around a little more than I was going to with the boy wander. We made the best of the day and battened down the hatches for what turned out to be a very windy night. Sunday arrived with a wet and windy start. I decided today was a good day to try the ration pack muesli. I added one of the berry, seed shot things and the results were actually quite nice. We will defiantly do that one again. Being so close to Lands End we thought it criminal not to visit. Criminal is what I'd call the £5 parking charge with additional charges for pretty much everything once you get into the Lands End Experience. It was good to get my bearings see where the coast path joins Lands End and take everyone's picture next to the end to end sign. I declined to have my picture taken and won't do until I complete the JOGLE in 2019. A stop off in Penzance (aka Men's Pants) for lunch and it's back to the campsite. The weather has cleared up, the wind has dropped off and the sun is shinning (sometimes). Although the clouds look a little threatening the BBC weather gods say it won't rain until later into the night. While the others take an afternoon nap (the boy wander + 2x adults), or have a cup of tea and some cake I decide it's a great opportunity to complete the coast path round to Zennor. Trevalgan- Zennor Head 8.9 miles I can't believe that i have been here all week and nearly left without doing this bit of Path. It was incredible. From Newquay the ground has changed from sandy through to Perranporth to slate and stone leading round to St Agnes and now it's just like being up on Dartmoor with the rocks and the Heath right on the edge of the coast. Again I hope the pictures do it justice. I followed the footpath from Trevalgan and as I came down into the footpath could see a couple further up the path holding hands as they walked the coastline. Off I went catching them, then stopping to take pictures, then catching up again, it began to get a bit awkward so I stopped taking pictures and went on past to give them some privacy. This part of the coastline goes in and out of several valleys making for some good ascents and descents. To make it even more interesting parts of the path were boulders. This meant you had to keep an eye on where your foot placement was at all times. I got caught out once or twice and took a couple of tumbles. I had decided given the amount of rain to opt for my walking boots and leave the trail shoes at the campsite. The trail shoes would have been much better on this terrain and allowed me to scramble faster up over the rocks and offered greater grip and purchase when descending slabs of rock without great foot placement options. I came upon a group who asked for our position on the map. They weren't fully trusting of the GPS they had opted for but the map confirmed the GPS was right. I noticed as I left them that one of the group was wearing sandals. Even through I was regretting my shoe selection I suspect my boots were a million times better than sandals on those rocks. On I went up and over the cliff and down into the next valley where I happen upon a lovely looking couple. At the back is a lady in full wet weather gear taking her time and being very cautious with her foot placement. Slightly up ahead waiting for her is a gent in similar attire carry what looked like quite a heavy pack. They both seemed happy to take their time and complete the walk. On I go clocking my Garmin and realising that the weeks walking, two days of a couple of hours carrying the boy wander, and the terrain had taken its toll on my pace. I had told the group I expected to be between 1.5 to 2 hours and we had just gone through the 1.5 hr mark with one headland to go. Off I trot quite pleased with myself when I leave the path within the 2 hours heading down into the village of Zennor. I get my phone out to call for a lift and find there is no service. The village is nestled in the valley so I decided to take the road up out of the valley where I could get a signal. No dice. So I carry on up the road. 30minutes later consulting the map there is a footpath that cuts down through the valley in a more direct route. The only problem is if the others come looking for me they will come via road, and the last thing we want is me back at camp and them out of signal so we can't tell them. I decide to stick to the road, which climbs up and down two valleys before dropping down towards the camp site. I finally get signal 10 minutes from home and place the call to let everyone know I am ok. 2 rings and the line goes dead. Having been checking my phone every 30 seconds or so since leaving Zennor when I did get signal the battery was dead. This is the first time this week I left my solar charger behind. Lesson learnt. I'm only ten minutes away so in no time at all I am back to the campsite. Just in time for dinner, having done a good 3+ more miles than I intended. Lesson learnt the hard way. Now back at home I'm making a list of the pros and cons of the trip and things I need to work on for the next one. I will update you further later in the week once time a perspective have had their say. I will post pictures from my Garmin of the walks I have done in order of the coast path instead of the order I did them in so you can see the route more clearly.

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SWC Path Day 5

Today marks the end of the big walks for this trip. A half day walk from St Agnes to Perranporth and back over the coast path. 8.3 miles according to the Garmin. The day started early as I woke up at standard time for a Friday (5:30), so I decided to get up and get on. I pulled into the car park within site of the bar I stopped at on my Porthtowan-St Agnes loop. I jump out of the van wallet and phone in hand to review the parking. Parking charges are more than the change I have in my wallet so I look to my phone and thank the gods for the phone system set up earlier in the week. All I need is the code off the machine. No code, no numbers, nothing. I check my phone and yes I do have reception. The gods are defiantly playing a joke on me. I return to the van get the map out and start looking for alternatives. One other option is up out of the valley near an old tin mine. Off I go. As I approach a junction there is a triangle of grass in the middle that appears to be being used as a parking space. If it's good enough for the locals it's good enough for me. It has just started raining so I don my waterproofs ask a local to check I am where I think I am as there are four routes off the junction and only 2 on the map. And.... I'm off and it's not yet 9am. The road meanders down past the car park on the map. It has a height barrier so score to me for stopping Earlier. The road then gets considerably steep leading down to the old Tin mines. The road then goes up the valley and off up over the hills to Perranporth. On this trip I have been really lucky with loo stops. When I have needed to go I happen upon a public toilet that fulfils the need. Today I was not so lucky. Choosing to do the loop starting with the road first there was not a lot of opportunity to stop in a discreet place. Two opportunities presented themselves the first was a ditch set a little way off the road. I was not that desperate. The second, was nearly used. As I came up over the brow of a hill this blue shape stood out against a wooden barn. As I neared the shape transpired to be a sole porta loo. As i got closer it became clear that I was about to be hosted by Perranporth football club. I decided that having already gone 2 miles there was only another 1/2 mile before I was there (hopefully), and I would make it. As I start my decent into Perranporth I'm thinking back to my last visit on Tuesday. Where were the toilets? A detour around the garden in the centre of town to casually glance at the signpost and I remember they are on the seafront by the car park. I also remember they are unisex. Oh well let's hope I don't get stage fright. That sorted priority number 2. A cup of tea. Random selection process again. Opposite the toilets at the base of the coast path is a Cafe. I'm sorry The Hub of Portreath but you have lost the carrot cake crown to the Dolphin Cafe of Perranporth. The cake was nice and moist in the middle but a little dry on the outside. I am giving it a 4 star rating (out of 5). Tea and caked out, and having leant my map to a nice couple also going I'm the same direction it's off up the path. Today's bit of Coast Path was stunning. I am glad that I have done it in such a hap hazard way this week as my two favourite bits have been to and from St Agnes. Today there was lots of different colours in the rock face remnants of the mining heritage of the area. The path winds, descends and climbs combining all my favourite bits of walking the path. I was also treated to planes taking off and landing from Perranporth aerodrome. Hopefully the pictures will do it justice. I descend down into the old tin mine crossing the road I walked down before. At the point where the path leaves the road there is an old gate paying homage to a motor cycle club. In the middle of nowhere. Oh well...on I go. As I climb up, and up I think maybe it was a trials club as the gradient and loose shingle, with random rocks jutting up would provide some challenges. I reach the top and am blessed with some great views of St Agnes and the old mines sat proudly on the hill. I can see my destination. The pub. I am aware that I am climbing down into the valley away from the van but the pint of Doombar that awaits at 11:45 is more of a pull. I sit in the pub enjoying my pint and watching the top of the hill seeing the other walkers coming down into the old tin mine valley. Nice to sit and smile when you have already done it. Pint finished it's back off up to the van to return to the camp site in St Ives. The rest of the bank holiday weekend will be spent with friends so no more long walks for me, however I will post the walks we do. Thank you for following my Mini Adventure. I will post over the weekend and do a review of the trip at the early part of next week.

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SWC Path Day 4

I can't believe it's day four already. What a super smashing great day. I woke up early today so was off and ready to start my walk by 9:30. I decided to do the loop from Hells Mouth - Portreath (by road) - Godrevy (by coastpath) and back to the van at Hells Mouth (by road). Total of 13 miles. The road from Hells mouth follows close to the coast path and at times (normally carparks) the two meet. Not to worry. I really like walking on tarmac when doing loop walks. The change of grip under my feet seems to provide just the right sort of relief to prevent foot ache. Anyway... I'm walking. Along quite nicely enjoying the scenery, sheep and cows basking in the sunlight lying in the fields, and a gyrocopter in the sky up ahead. The birds start singing and I'm walking in a scene of bliss. I take out my phone to take a picture and find a message from mum demanding I get home quick as the digestive challenge we started in mid March is currently being completed solo, but the ability to Make single portions has left her. I then realise I can hear what sounds like a lawn mower. A quick look around confirms no lawn mower. I look up and it's the gyrocopter that's looped back. Moment gone. I take the picture and continue on. Further down the road I get the urge to take another picture and find a message is on my screen from the group joining me tomorrow for the bank holiday. I messaged this morning to pack warm clothes as it's been getting quite chilly at night. One of the group is doing a Go Outdoors run (the joys of working In Exeter) and asked for requests. Long story short. Extract from message feed: "if you can order online and I'll collect that would mean you get what you want rather than the nice pink frilly item I'll choose." To clarify this was for a male. Grinning like a Cheshire Cat I continue on. Shortly before the Gyrocopter encounter I passed a road sign claiming it was two miles to Portreath. I thought this odd as I had only done about 1/2 a mile and the map made it look like at least double that. When my watch buzzed to inform me of three miles having been completed I was sceptical about the road sign accuracy. At four miles I was questioning if this person still had their job, or if maybe the sign was a parting gift. Moral of the story don't trust the millage on the road signs. This got me questioning every sign for the coast path today. Each time I got to one I looked at the millage and made some comment like "is it really?", or "that's what you said last time". On arrival to Portreath it was a little after 10am. Having had a nasty cup of tea with my breakfast this morning I decided to stop for a cuppa before heading on up the path. The selection process was simple. The first cafe I came to. The Hub, a cafe bike repair and hire shop. There was a tantalising selection of cakes at the till so tea, turned into tea and cake. However as the lady pointed out choosing the carrot and pistachio cake really was the healthy option. I can also confirm no cogs or tyre rubber were found in the cake or the tea. Cake consumed and up over the hill we go. Today's walk provided some stunning views and a brilliant down and up at Carvannel Downs. You know your nuts when you stand at the top of a massive hill and get excited at the prospect of scrambling down and up the other side. To make it even more interesting there was a lone figure towards the bottom of the valley as I started my decent. Game on, target set to catch the other walker. As I neared the bottom I could see the walker stopping to catch their breath and get out their walking poles. Determined to catch up off I climbed, stopping briefly for pictures (as you do), I just caught the other walker as the trail plateaued at the top. Damn. I said good morning as I sailed past and then felt good about myself for about 30 seconds. Then I realised A) The person I overtook was of a much stockier build than me B) They were carrying what looked like a full 60L+ pack and C) This probably meant that unlike me chickening out and retreating to my van each night this person was probably camping. We shall mark that one up as a loss. The path kisses the nearby road on and off for the next few miles. One such point is Hells Mouth. I'm not going to lie. I don't get it. I didn't encounter anything hellish and could see no shapes of mouths or depths of despair. Never mind on I go. The path returns to the road again where I stop and take a break. I open a packet of the ration packed salted almonds. It's official out of date rations are rank!!! I swap them out for a toffee crisp, and a Tescos shot of berries and seeds. The almonds are gifted to a waiting seagull, who threatens to dump on my head as I leave. That's gratitude for you. The path meets the road again and I walk past the van. At this stage I'm at around 9 miles and defiantly want to get to Godrevy Point but it's always hard to walk past. The path sweeps away from the road and I am blessed with great views and finally a close up of the lighthouse that has featured in my pictures over the last four days. I get a bit carried away with the lighthouse porn and once I get over it I make my way down the path towards Georgian Bridge. Godrevy is a National trust site and has a cafe, it's already past 13:30 so I decide to stop in for a bite to eat. One Mexican big wrap later and I'm back on the road making my way back towards the van. Tomorrow the weather looks good so I plan to do the Perranporth - St Agnes loop, and return to the campsite early to catch up with some nephew hugs and help set up camp for half of the group joining me for the weekend. If I'm not needed I may explore round the coast path to Zennor. Women v's ration pack continues. This is an early blog post so pictures will follow later of tonight's culinary masterpiece. Yesterday's eggs will be accompanied by some sausages from the onsite shop and baked beans from the trusty camping box. I think they are still in date??? I will post pictures later so I can include the results for you.

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SWC Path Day 3

What a stunning day. I was awoken at 2am this morning to see hail built up on the window of the van. I snuggled under the duvet some more and thanked the gods I listened to my gut. Today's forecast was for a nice morning with increasing wind and showers in the afternoon. I decided to do a there and back or loop walk from Porthtowan to Portreath in the hopes of beating the weather and decide where to go from there. I pull into Porthtowan long stay car park at around 9:30 and spend the next 20 minutes in a women v's machine battle with the parking meter. Not knowing my plans and not wanting to be hampered by time I was going to pay the day rate. Out comes the wallet, I count out all my pennies and approach the machine. One by one all the 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p and £ coins go in to the sum of £5.30. One last £ to go....and it drops right back out the bottom. I tried another three times just to be sure. No it wasn't happening. I stare at the machine hoping that will do the trick and eventually give in and press the coin return button. At this point I'm imagining a scene out of a film casino with coins spewing everywhere. They didn't. Which made me suspicious as we all have had to fish around in the coin return and that space is small. So I recounted my change to make sure they (the machine) hadn't stolen any. Panic over all the change was there. Yesterday I used this pay by phone option so it was all set up. I just needed to ring the number with the code for that carpark. Easy. I go back to the van and retrieve my phone. No Service. I proceed to parade around the car park arm wafting in the air trying to get a signal. No luck. Why in gods name do you offer a service like that when there's no phone reception! As a grown adult I can deal with this. Back to the machine I go with my change I opt for 4 hours and hope that it is enough. I am now parked, paid and displayed. I make my way across the beach to the area where I can see the path leading up over the hill. The path is blocked by a wooden structure stating it is closed due to the unsafe cliff. That's it. No signage as to where to go. I've had enough. I skirt round the fencing and head on up the path keeping as far from the edge as I can. I reach the brow of the hill and it opens up to a car parking area which has an obvious road leading to it. Why oh why couldn't the sign people use that. The rest of the walk provides some stunning views around the coast, includes what looks like an old military battery, and some old mine shafts with cages built over the top of them. I couldn't help myself I picked up a stone from the floor threw it in and listened. No sound after 10 seconds so I quickly moved on. The helicopters were out again today so I tried to snap them as I went but they were too quick. On arrival at Portreath I navigated my way back along a footpath and through the roads. The footpath was part of a miners trail and was used by cyclists and one rather hungry looking horse. When I was about 20metres away the horse stopped. He obviously wasn't too keen. So I stopped to allow him (and his rider) to come through. I exchanged pleasantries with the rider as they approached. When they were level the horse stopped. At this point and I quote the rider said "I think it's time you left". I didn't need telling twice and made a swift yet calm exit. On I go and before I know it I'm back at the van. It's 12:30 and the weather has held. Quick lunch and a review of the map and I decided to add a loop to st Agnes and back. Given the wind direction yesterday and the forecast for it to increase for today I decided to walk the roads to St Agnes and the coast path back. At least then I would have the wind in my sails. I realise I will need to add more parking. No change left and still no service I decide to risk waiting until I'm up the road to make the call. A quick check of the machine again. Yes it is still there. And ....oh hang on you can text your parking through. Prewritten text message saved I just need to remember to send it when I get signal. We should all listen to our mums. I pre-empted the sun cream conversation and brought some. Mum then said what all mums do. "Make sure you use it" On my walk to St Agnes having been in my shorts and t-short all day I realised I had not used it, and it was in the van. Sorry mum. As I enter St Agnes I think about the practicalities of future walks to join up Perranporth with St Agnes. I think it would be best to pick a landmark or prominent place to easily join up the imaginary dots. I head for the pub. When in Rome.... A pint of Doombar later and I'm heading for the coast path. I find myself feeling this part of the path is quite boring. The pictures I'm taking are of the same things I already have pictures of just at varying distances. The path doesn't arc in and out as the cliff face changes, instead it's an almost straight path across the top. Just as I'm starting to loose interest I come across the walking M&S advert. Two couples the men trailing. I'm catching the person at the rear rather quickly as they keep stopping and turning away from the wind. As I get nearer all becomes clear. With his walking stick under one arm the old fella is turning away to light his pipe. Thankfully the coast watch station is around the corner. They should help get him down off the path when he either falls, or coughs up a lung. A few disused quarry's later and the scene opens up to something right out of Poldark. Some great disused mines right in the edge of the path. A little detour for a peek and some pictures and i'm off again. The area around Chapel Porth is littered with footpaths around the old mine sites. A few detours later and I'm back on track. Over the hill and off home. Update women v's ration pack. I ate one of the sachets of peanut butter today. It was awful. Whatever preservative they put in it ruins it. Also had a cranberry cereal bar. This was not too bad. There is no picture of this evenings meal as it looked quite frankly horrid. In an attempt to use the left over beef burgers from yesterday I tried to make meatballs, with chorizo (obviously), a little melted cheese and a fried egg (purchased from the campsite shop) The result was an edible mess. I will try better tomorrow. Over 15 miles achieved today. Tomorrow we shall see what the weather brings and attempt a similar millage with two loops or there and backs from Perranporth - St Agnes and Portreath - hells mouth/ Godrevy Point. Glass of Tarquins in hand, the sun going down, I think it's time for a shower now.

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Afternoon Walk Porthtowan - St Agnes 8.5 miles

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Porthtowan - Portreath Morning walk 7.9 miles

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SWC Path Day 2

Wow what a day. Today I decided to drive to Perrenporth and walk the length of the beach exposed by the tide to meet up with where I left off yesterday. Yesterday I went past Holywell (returning for the bus!) and made it most of the way around Penhale Point. As with all best laid plans the plan has gone wrong. I believe in signs and today I received three. I will share them and explain as we go through the post. 1. Today it was very windy and I deemed it unsafe to be walking on the exposed path. 2. The Coastguard helicopter was out 3. I walked through hail, as it got bigger and bigger (up to the size of your thumb nail). I parked at Perranporth and made my way to the beach where I was met with a head wind so strong I was leaning into it the entire time. I walked through the soggy bits and realised the walking boots really should have been the trail shoes as I was overtaken by a group of florescently coloured accessorised ladies. As they sped off into the distance I looked up to see the white and red of the coastguard helicopter coming overhead and round Ligger point in the direction I was headed. As I continued towards the end of the beach I tried spotting people on the coast path. Those I saw looked like they were struggling with the wind so I decided not to continue to join up with where I left off yesterday. On my wind assisted return to Perranporth a military helicopter made several sweeps of the area clearly looking for someone. Decision made I would not be walking in exposed areas today. I had planned to join the dots. Take my van down to St Ives set up and then bus it back to Perranporth to start walking back over the following few days. I started the 40 minute journey down the road and was impeded by a hail storm. I had thought it was a little chilly last night but that closed the deal. I would not be doing a stay away in these temperatures and conditions. So what next. I decided on arrival I would catch the bus (that left 10mins after I arrived) into St Ives have a nose around, and walk the short bit of coastal path back. All was going well until... I had just left the shop where I had been hunter gathering for this evenings meal when it started to hail again. It was a short shower and had disappeared by the time I got to the harbour. Off I go, up to the coastwatch look out and round the corner when it absolutely hammered it down with hail. I was exposed no rocks human sized to hide behind I dashed for the next best thing and sat/crouched on this rock letting my bag take the brunt of the ever increasing hail stones. The whole thing was over in about 5 minutes but left the ground and the beach covered in white. Defiantly not sleeping out in that. The coast path was beautiful offering some brilliant views and it even got hot enough to take one of my three layers off. Now that I am no longer walk/sleeping my women v's ration pack challenge is not necessary. However no one sells things in quantities for one so I have included a picture in today's montage of this evenings meal. Ingredients, 2x beef burgers, Chorizo (I love it), left over domino sauce from yesterday and chilli powder. Accompanied by a Tarquins Gin and tonic. He plan tomorrow is to gauge the wind when I wake up and then drive to do a round trip or there and back walk tomorrow returning back to St Ives in the evening.

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South West Coast Path Mini Adventure Day 1

Today was a loop walk from the outskirts of Newquay. I wanted to do a shorter walk on day 1 to try and ease me in a little and set the tone for the next few days. It’s safe to say it did not start well. I intended to start a little earlier than 14:00 but have spent this weekend in North Devon with some Friends and quite frankly I didn’t want to leave any earlier. Also the rather late night meant I wasn’t really on form first thing. The Weather was amazing really warm and more than comfortable in shorts and t-shirt. Fingers crossed this bubble doesn’t burst this week. So I get to the camp site check in and level the van up as best I can. Still a little on the wonk but I forgot the spirit level and only have the one set of blocks so this will have to do. Bus timetable acquired from reception and a point in the right direction and I’m off. To get to the coast path there is a public footpath through a field to the shoreline. Easy…. The cows in the field don’t worry me so off I trot. As I get closer to the cows I do the same as any sane self respecting person and start talking to them announcing myself and gesturing so they can see me. At this point the herd is split and the path and thus I am walking through the middle. All of a sudden evil Stacey steak starts to run towards me encouraging those around her to do the same. So here I am Day one 5 minutes in not even of the coast path fleeing from crazy cows. After telling Stacy steak to back off several times she continued to follow me at a distance with the rest of the herd following her like some massive street gang. So cow crisis averted I have made it to the coast path. I climb up over the hill and am treated with the first glorious view of the estuary opening up to the Atlantic. Quick phone out, take a snap (I like to do that....a lot). At this point my iPhone decides my memory is full so I spend the next 10 minutes of walking deleting un needed photos apps music and anything else massive from my phone. The good news is my pack is not lighter. I won't need to carry the audio speaker as I have deleted all the music off my phone. The wonders of modern technology huh. To top it off I forgot to charge my Garmin so that pegged out at 6 miles. I wanted try and get as close to Perranporth as possible. Having taken a piece of paper with the bus timetable from the helpful man at the campsite it appears there are no direct buses back to where I am camping so I take the decision to stop in Holywell and have a pint while I wait for the next bus in 50 minutes. Well, I must have had more gins than I realised last night as to my i open my wallet to find it empty. Well not completely empty, bit I don't think £1.32 would have covered the bus ride. Not to worry I will walk back. Holywell golf course is very nice. I know this as I did cover most of the course whilst trying to find the footpath. Thankfully after two sets of directions and a clarification about which White House I was aiming for I was off. I takes a lot less time to do the Return legs cross country than the up and down of the coast paths. So that's it Day one done. I'm snugly wrapped up in my van being rocked by the wind and listening to the rain that has started outside. Fingers and toes are crossed that it goes through overnight to give me a good day tomorrow.

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