WB 08: Completing the South Coast

Progress

Progress has been good this week, and I have hit each scheduled daily endpoint. In fact I have gone slightly further than scheduled to aid next week. Due to the early rest day last week this has been a long week. I have travelled from Falmouth, Cornwall to Newquay, Cornwall covering 152 miles & 41894 feet of ascent (almost 1 & 1/2 Everests).

Hardships

Well more of an annoyance than hardship, is the Cornish aversion to stick to the hours they claim they are open online. Several times this week I have passed a shop or cafe that was meant to be open but on arrival it has been shut. This has meant i have had to carry more spare food than expected, and barring one moment in Manaccan I have aways had enough.

I have had so many diversions this week, almost all within the first 4 days. These have added a fairly substantial amount of distance on, and though normally fairly short a couple of them have been quite long. What is more annoying is some of the closed routes could be opened with a relatively small amount of work (or in some cases with none at all), but for some reasons have been left for months. I understand at some points the path has actually collapsed into the sea, or there is genuine worry about it doing so and in these situations it is understandable it takes time.

Well I had my first worrying fall of the walk, when a stone "step" I trod on completely gave way causing my upper body to head quickly towards the rocky path. Fortunately I got my right arm out in front, to stop my head making contact, but my left leg took a fairly big whack giving it a massive dead leg but fortunately there appears to be no issues going forward.

Other than the above, no other paticular hardships.

General

Weather

Well I really can't complain about the weather this week at all. In fact I don't think I even had a drop of rain at any point whilst walking. If there had been strong winds/rains I would maybe not have made it to Newquay this week. In fact my face even went a little rosy one day, which must of been due to the sun, so will need to get some moisturiser with SPF.

It looks like the weather is about to take a turn for the worse, with some horrible forecasts even down here for later in the week. With one day being forecast to have heavy sleet, winds in excess of 50mph and temperatures well below freezing.

Kindness

I do not always mention it, but I am slightly surprised but incredibly grateful for all the little and big acts of kindness which people have shown me. Whether it be a free room, bed for the night, walking with me, free tea or just an email, they are all remembered and appreciated. This week has been more full than normal in terms of generous moments.

Accomodation

With the Beast from the East arriving I am making more effort with beds/accommodation for this week than normal. On that note if anyone knows someone who could help in Padstow, Port Isaac or Boscastle please do get in touch.

Daily Diary

Please click links below to find out more detail about each specific day:

Thank You

Specific thank yous (lots this week):

New Inn, Manaccan – thank you for letting me pitch in your beer garden

Pat & Steph, Manaccan – thank you for cooking me dinner at your home, when I found out the pub no longer does food.

Porth-en-Alls, Prussia Cove - thank you for providing me with a complimentary property for the night, as well as supplies for breakfast.

Tim Stobbs - thank you for joining the walk for a day, as well as alongside your wife putting me up and feeding me for the night.

Tom & Julie - thank you for walking with me and being very generous at end.

Portreath Arms - thank you for giving me a complimentary room for the night, as well as a lovely breakfast.

Couple in Pub, Poltreath - thank you for generously paying for my dinner.

The Jessels - thank you for joining me and buying me lunch.

Also thank you to everyone who donated last week, and all the kind messages that I received. Great to reach £5000, and a lot more if include gift aid.

The walk can be followed on Facebook and Instagram and any donations are greatly appreciated.