Daily Blog
Day 2 Sunday 2nd May 2010
Miles walked 22 - Miles to go 576 - Accent 12,735ft
Woken to the sound of rain hammering on the camper roof. Oh joy!
Eased off slightly as Ian and Don from Paignton branch joined me for day 2.
Any fears that I may be 'held up' by a 64 year old part-timer were soon dispelled at the first steep climb of the day. Ian gave a very good impression of a cross between Linford Christie and a mountain goat. Wow, that man is FIT!!!
Heddons Mouth was spectacular and provided the first photo opportunity then a series of steep climbs culminating in The Great Hangman - the highest point of the entire coast path. With the weather steadily improving, we had our lunch break in Combe Martin - a place that sounds more attractive than it is! More hard walking with an ice cream at Ilfracombe harbour as our reward then the last leg of our journey finishing at 4.30pm in Lee Bay.
I would like to thank Don & Ian for joining me and making a hard days walk very enjoyable. Thanks lads!!
Beer of the Day - Cousin Jack 5/10 Uninspiring and weak.
Colin
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Daily Blog
Day 3 Monday 3rd May 2010
Miles walked 31 - Miles to go 545 Accent 15,527
Firstly, my apologies for the irregularity of the Blog posting. North Devon seems to be a bit of a black hole when it comes to internet coverage. Hopefully normal service will resume shortly.
Another early start, weather sunny but a very cold wind. Three hard miles into Woolacombe (a vast improvement on its neighbour - Ilfracombe) and a trip round the sand dunes of Croyde. More dunes, only bigger, at Saunton Sands and on to Braunton Burrows. Disappointed not to see any rabbits! The path has no crossing over the River Torridge so the only way round is a boring 8 mile walk along the river to Barnstaple and then 8 miles back up again and on to Instow. Scenery today was nothing spectacular but because of the flatness, I was able to cover the miles - a fair exchange. The next few days will see some of the most strenuous sections of the walk but so far, the body is holding up extremely well. Mind you, I don't need rocking to sleep!!
Beer of the Day - Clouded Yellow 410. Arty F***y. Who came up with the idea of putting BANANA in Beer?
Colin
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Daily Blog
Day 4 Tuesday 4th May 2010
Miles walked 21 - Miles to go 524 - Accent 20,004
I knew from the start that today was going to be difficult and unfortunately I made the error of choosing the wrong footwear. I opted for trail boots instead of hiking boots and have paid the price with a crop of blisters. That said, I'm still pleased with my progress. Most of todays walking was through wooded hills with only a glimpse of the sea. It is so peaceful that I find I don't need my ipod or radio to listen to. Just the sound of the waves, sea birds and breeze is enough to sooth the soul.
It was change over day today for my support crew and my son Chris took over . He joined me for the last 4 miles to Hartland Point and was so exhausted by the experience, had to retire to his bed at 8.30pm to recouperate. These youngsters today have no stamina!!
Should cross the border into Cornwall tomorrow.
Beer of the Day - Anstells Bitter 6/10
Colin
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Daily Blog
Day 5, Wednesday 5th May 2010
Miles walked 16, Miles to go 518, Accent 24,723 ft
Wednesday dawned cold and dry after a heavy dewfall. My son dragged his 6'2'' frame from a 5'6'' shower but not dew proof tent, after 2 hours sleep. I slept a full 10 hours, in the dry, like the preverbial log. Yesterday was difficult and I felt quite down as I nodded off to sleep. I know there will be good days and bad days and people far more experienced in this sort of thing have stressed the importance of taking each day as it comes. Luckily, this morning, I awoke feeling on top of the world again and ready to go. My dear son decided to video my preparations for the day and, as anyone who knows me will confirm, I am not the most organised of people. He has promised that the video of me stumbling around trying to find my socks, boots, drinks container and all the other essentials, will not end up on You Tube. I'm not sure I believe him!
Today was probably the most difficult section of the whole coast path, Before I got to Bude I crossed ten river valleys. That means ten hills going down and then ten climbing back up again! I'd also been told of a dramatic waterfall at Speke's Mill Mouth. I'm not sure how, but I managed to miss it! After crossing into Cornwall, lunch break was spent at Henna Cliff as I watched the waves crashing some 300ft below me. A 4.30pm finish in Bude with no problems from yesterdays blisters made for another successful day.
Beer of the day - Cornish Smuggler 6/10 A good solid dark ale.
Colin
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Daily Blog
Day 6 Thursday 6th May 2010
Miles walked 22 - Miles to go 484. Accent 31,432ft
Today, I have mostly been walking, in fog and rain!! With a 7:30am start from Bude the drizzle and mist quickly turned to something much thicker and heavier. Apparently this part of the coast has stunning views. I missed the lot! After a 10 mile yomp to Crackington Haven, it stopped raining, so I had my lunch. Then it started raining again! I saw my second deer - it still startled me. By now, wet and fed up I switched on my IPod and listened to some Radiohead to cheer myself up!
Arrived at Boscastle mid afternoon and was struck again at just how amazing the rebuilding of this lovely little port has been, after the terrible floods of 6 years ago.
Made it to Tintagel at 5 o'clock, feet are starting to complain and are threatening to divorce me. The weather forecast for tomorrow is not good, but despite that, I aim to reach Padstow by evening. Hopefully I will then be able to have a rest day.
Along the way I passed a bench with' 500 miles to Poole' engraved on it. Wasn't sure whether this was encouraging or depressing!
Despite everything I am having the time of my life.
Today's overnight stop is at Trewethett Farm Campsite, superb facilities and highly recommended.
Beer of the day Tintagel Brewery's "Harbour Special" 8/10
Colin
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Daily Blog
Day 7, Friday 7th May 2010
Miles walked 21, Miles to go 463, Total accent 36,974. ( over 1 x height of Everest)
Today marked the end of my first weeks walking. I can't believe how well it's gone. Yes, its been very hard in places and the weather could have been better but overall it has exceeded all my expectations. I'm ahead of where I need to be, I've seen some wonderful scenery and I've met some very kind, generous people. I am a very lucky man.
It was crew changeover day again. No more drinking and carousing - the wife's back in charge!
One thing I have become aware of is that no two days are the same. There was not too much to enjoy about yesterday but today was a total contrast - sunny (but still cold), and the best days walking so far.
Made Port Issac by lunchtime but no sign of Doc Martin. I did see two peregrine falcons however, soaring overhead and the swathes of bluebells are a sight for sore eyes (and feet!). Polzeath is supposed to be one of the surf centres of the UK so I was eagerly looking forward to seeing surf babes strutting their stuff. No such luck. The only blonde on the beach was a golden labrador. A free ride on the Rock to Padstow ferry rounded off a near perfect day. Rest day tomorrow and I plan to lie in, have a full English breakfast, and NOT WALK ANYWHERE.
Beer of the Day. I cheated today and had 2 cans of Stella - 10/10
Colin
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Daily Blog
Day 8. Saturday, 8th May 2010
Rest Day
Well the day went almost as planned. Got up a bit later, went into Padstow, had a Cornish cooked breakfast ( the same as an English breakfast only more expensive) and helped boost Mr Stein's coffers at his Deli. We parked up at Treyarnon, read the papers and then thought it might be a good idea to have a little walk just to keep the muscles loose. My poor feet were encased in my old beach sandles to let the air circulate so I probably looked a bit of a plonker walking across the headland at Bedruthan steps in what felt like -10 degrees. There goes my credability as a 'serious walker'. Met up with Don, Ian and their wives Rhona and Carol for a drink at Porthcothan.
A lazy day!
Beer of the day - Betty Stoggs 8/10. An old favorite of mine.
Colin.
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Daily Blog
Day 9, Sunday, 9th May 2010
Miles walked 23, miles to go 440, Accent 39,500
Today was the first 'open walk' and I was very disappointed that the only people to turn up were the aforementioned Don, Ian, Carol and Rhona. Oh, and Zack the dog. It's a bit disheartening when we are trying to raise funds for a Cornish Hospice and all the support comes from Somerset and Devon. On the basis of this, I have decided to cancel next Sunday's walk in Helston, although the Brixham and Portland walks will still take place.
The day itself was a very cold one with a strong northeast wind playing havoc with my hat !! But we made the alotted miles for that day ok and ended in a pub at Porth near Newquay for a few beers.
Thank you to Don, Ian, Carol and Rhona again for joining me and i will see you at Brixham
Beer of the Day - GreenRoom 7/10 A cirtrus twist ale with a bitter aftertaste.
Colin
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Daily Blog
Day 10 Monday 10th May 2010
Miles walked 19, miles to go 429, Accent 44,727
Had a earily breakfast at Porth with the local campsite duck that visited us the night before, who brought his mate along this time for breakfast, unfortunately they didn't get a look in with Rick Stein marmalade !!
Started walking at 7.30 and got a bit lost in Newquay but eventually found The River Gannel which I crossed at the second bridge. I then made my way to meet Lorraine at Holywell but managed to get lost again in some mega sand dunes on Crantock beach and arrived 20 minutes later.
Had a short break and a quick snack before getting underway again
The remainder of the day was great walking with probably the best days weather, Perran Porth beach past Cligga Point and into St Agnes.
I reached the old tin mining area where I saw many old ruined wheal's hanging on the clifftop edge.
The last part of this walk was through Chaple Porth and onto Porthtowan where I was met by Chris Brace outside the Unicorn pub.
Beer of the Day - Legend 7/10
Colin
Daily Blog
Day 11 Tuesday 11th May 2010
Miles walked 22, miles to go 407, Accent 47,325
Started from a lovely campsite at Porthtowan from 7.30, the weather was fine thoughout the day but we had heavy showers the night before.
The plan was for me to leave the campsite and drop down to the coast path onto the footpath that I had found on the map. Unfortunately the footpath was actually a fence surrounding a rundown military base on Nancekuke common, this resulted in me wondering around the Cornish lanes looking for a way to Portreath but as my luck started to change I passed a farmyard where two Jack Russells came and attacked me (snappy little mutts !!)
I eventually arrived at Portreath slightly late with a Jack Russell still attached to my left leg !! "Oh well more miles for the clock"
I was now walking west along Reskajeage. The walk into Knavoges was superb, around Godrevy Point and onto the long sandy beach to Hayle, After, things started going downhill, I suppose every county must have a Highbridge but Hayle takes the biscuit !! The last time I was here (15 years ago) it looked run down, now it is an incredibly depressing place to visit.
A quick lunch outside a disused warehouse and it was on to Porth Kidney Sands, it looked great until I got lost in the bloody sand dunes AGAIN !!
Carbis Bay is ok and St Ives is arty but a pleasant place to end the day. Tomorrow will be a long, hard day through St Ives to Cape Cornwall.
Beer of the Day - Cornish Knockers 7/10
Colin
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