Day 26. Tuesday, 29th June. Carne Beach to Mevagissey. Weather. Shock Horror. After overnight rain, the morning started with a light drizzle, dry by mid-day and sunshine by 14.00. Last night, whilst enjoying my evening meal in the New Inn at Veryan, in walked Tony Goodwin and his wife from Barton. A small world. Having curtailed yesterday's walk by 4 miles and having to walk 1 mile to get back to the path, I was looking at a 17 mile walk to Mevagissey. Early rain made the start heavy going and the state of the path around Portloe made the task less than easy. As the sun came out the going got easier and I finally made Mevagissey at 18.15. 16 miles bringing the total to 361.

St. Anthony Head Lighthouse. Apparently used in the title sequence of the children's T.V. programme, Fraggle Rock.

The ferry from St. Mawes. I'm glad the water was calm.

Day 25. Monday, 28th June. Falmouth to Carne. Weather. A few clouds early on. sunny until 14.00 then overcast for a while then sunny again. Still warm. No time constraints today, once I'd caught the 8.30 ferry to St. Mawes so early breakfast. I'd stayed at a place called Lynford in Falmouth. You should see what they put in the lunchbox. Once at St. Mawes had to get another ferry to Place Creek so finally started an easy day's walk. Had lunch, coffee and muffin, at Portscatho and finished the day at Carne Beach somewhat earlier than originally planned due to lack of accommodation at Portloe. Walked in land to Veryan for the night.10 miles. Total now 345.

Rhubarb grows well around these parts. My walking pole, bottom left, gives the picture some scale.

A typical scene from the Helford River estuary.

Day 24. Sunday, 27th June. Helford Passage to Falmouth. Weather. Almost total sunshine and very warm. I see rain is forecast for Thursday. Another day with a time restraint. I needed to be in front of a TV by 15.00. Took a free bus to Helford Passage and started a very easy walk back to Falmouth. Initially, the walk was along the Helford river estuary visiting several small beaches, some of which are privately-owned. One beach was Polgwidden Cove from where 7,500 US troops left for Omaha Beach as part of the D Day landings which eventually lead to the defeat of Germany. Would this portend well to events later in the day? Would it ***locks! Made Falmouth by 13.15 leaving plenty of time to shower, it's that word again, and watch the humiliation. Not helped by a ghastly error by the officials.10 miles. Total now 335. Falmouth is full of long faces and devoid of flags of St. George.

Found this quite amusing; also at Porthallow.

Yours truly at halfway. Not sure what's growing out of my head this time or why the stone isn't vertical when I seem to be or why nothing is in focus.

Day 23. Saturday, 26th June. Coverack to Helford. Weather. Hot and sunny. Nothing new there then. Last night while looking for somewhere to eat, in Helston, I found a pub offering "line-caught fishcakes". That set the imagination wandering. Got yet another paying bus back to Coverack to the start of a much more relaxed day's walking with no time restraints, save that of having to get to Helford to get the ferry by 19.30. Walked to Porthallow which marks the official halfway point of the entire trail. Got there at midday on the middle day of my schedule. How's that for planning? I'm on the home run now. The easy walking continued to the Helford estuary and into Helford itself. Had a very welcome pot of tea and chatted with a group of Geordies that I'd encountered during the day. Summoned the ferry to cross the river and caught a free bus at 16.40 to Falmouth for the night. Just 13 miles today giving a total of 325. 305 to go. Total ascent now 64602 feet. That's 2 Everests and 2 Scafell Pikes.

The Devil's Frying Pan

Kynance Cove. Very interesting.

Day 22. Friday, 25th June. Mullion Cove to Coverack. Weather. 100% sunshine on the coast with a few clouds visible inland. Very hot at times. Another walk with a time restraint. I wanted to catch the 16.08 bus to Helston else the next one was 2 hours later. So, a no stop strategy was employed and I made the bus with literally seconds to spare. On the way, I visited Kynance Cove, rounded the Lizard and went through Cadwith Cove.17 miles bringing the total to 312.

This area has no shortage of pubs and I've never had to walk past so many without sampling their wares. This is the Harbour Inn at Porthleven.

St. Michael's Mount

Day 21. Thursday, 24th June. Marazion to Mullion Cove. Weather. Although cloud was visible inland, the coast was in warm sunshine all day. Took a paying bus back to the start and with views of St. Michaels Mount just off-shore, I began an 18 mile walk. The terrain was moderate and easy in places. I was on a two stop strategy. Morning coffee at Praa Sands, on 6 miles and lunch at Porthleven, another attractive resort, on 12 miles. I arrived at my destination at 17.15 but then had a 1.25 mile walk to Mullion village for digs. Had a good look but I couldn't detect any differences in the fenestration. Total now 295 miles.

The harbour at Penzance.

The harbour at Mousehole, delightful.

Day 20. Wednesday, 23rd June. Porthcurno to Marion. Weather. Ditto. Today's walk definitely had a time constraint. Got the earliest bus back to Porthcurno and had to pay. "Sorry sir your bus pass isn't valid until 9.30." Quite a strenuous walk to Lamorna Cove then on to Mousehole. Easier walking on the approach to Penzance but the clock was ticking. Needed to be near a telly by 3. Made it with enough time to spare to visit the launderette before KO. A much better game but we need to improve if we're going to overcome the Germans on Sunday. Two pints of Betty Soggs during the game. Had to wall a further three miles along a beach-side footpath to Marazion to complete the day.15 miles, total now 277. 20 different ales but Tribute predominates. No sign of Black Prince as yet.

Yours truly with that famous signpost sprouting from my head

Cape Cornwall. Far preferable to its commercial neighbour, Land's End.

More evidence of tin mining.

Day 19. Tuesday, 22nd June. Pendeen to Porthcurno. Weather. Yes, yet another day of unbroken sunshine. What a difference a day makes. A brilliant day with plenty of interest and much better under foot than yesterday's slog. Bus to Pendeen village and a one mile walk back to the lighthouse. Walk soon took me through another area of old mines. Then on to Cape Cornwall where the Bristol Channel and the English Channel meet. Then on to Sennan Cove where I stopped for lunch before facing the hordes at Land's End. Turning now to walk, predominately, northeastwards. I spotted sharks on the approach to Porthcurno, but unfortunately no time to explore the open-air theatre at Minack. Caught the 17.45 bus back to Penzance.16 miles brings the total to 262. Total ascent now 54287 ft. That's about 4 Eigers.

Anne's photo. Pendeen Watch.

Yes. That really is the footpath.

My lunchtime view.

Day 18. Monday, 21st June. St. Ives to Pendeen. Weather. Another cloudless day and warm. Took the bus back to St. Ives. That's now the second time I've gone there but no sign of a multi-bigamistic bloke. Perhaps he's hiding from the Benefits Office. Today's walk is described as severe and that was pretty accurate. Lots of ups and downs over unpleasant terrain, sometimes rocky and muddy in places. Nowhere to get a coffee so Adam's Ale was the order of the day. Had to walk in land for a mile to get the bus which was 30 minutes late. Scenery was nothing spectacular. No chance of paddle.14 miles bringing the total to 246. 50511 ft of ascent overall.

An early view of St. Ives

Yet another one for Anne. This time it's the Godrevy Point Lighthouse. I hope she's following.

I may have finished the day in Penzance but these pirates were on display in a front garden in Portreath

Day 17. Sunday, 20th June. Portreath to St. Ives. Weather. Would you believe, another cloudless warm day. A longer walk today but still fairly easy terrain. It'll be different tomorrow. Had a three mile walk in the tide, very cooling for hot feet, before reaching Hayle. There then followed another tedious estuary walk, much of which tarmac. The path to St. Ives ran in parallel with a branch rail line. Arrived at the delightful St. Ives in time to catch the 17.05 bus to Penzance where I will be domiciled for the next four days while I circumnavigate the Lands End peninsula, using local buses to get me to and from the various start and end points.18 miles today. Total now 232.

One of many examples of tin mines around the St. Agnes area.

Day 16. Saturday, 19th June. Perranporth to Portreath. Weather. Blue sky all day and warm. Another easy day's walk. Visited St. Ages which has evidence of quarrying and tin mining. Stopped for coffee at Porthcothan and a blackcurrent icecream at Chapel Forth. Finally arrived at Portreath via Sally's Bottom. Had enough time to spend two hours on the beach which included my third swim.12 miles today.

Newquay Harbour.

Day 15. Friday, 18th June. Newquay to Perranporth. Weather. Sunny to start but becoming a little hazy by lunchtime. Having breakfast in Wetherspoons, (that's another story) I noticed a Sneck Lifter pump. I was relieved to learn that it had only just been put up and that I hadn't missed it last night. Not even a pint of my favourite Jennings tipple could persuade me to stay for one more night. Today was another easy walk. Stopped at Holywell for coffee and muffin and walked the 2.5 miles into Perranporth in the tide. Found a laundrette so those of my followers who're concerned can now be assured that all clothes are now clean. This is in addition to a couple of "hand jobs" along the way. Watched another inept display by England and spent the night in a youth hostel. Another 11 miles bringing the total to 191.

Newquay High Street. Get me out of here!!!

N

Mawgan Porth

The area around Bedruthan Steps at high tide.

Day 14. Thursday, 17th June. Porthcothan to Newquay. Weather. Same as yesterday, wall to wall sunshine and getting warmer. An easy day's walk. I was dropped off back at Porthcothan by the landlord on his way to work as a lifeguard. Walked past Bedruthan Steps. Didn't stop as the tide was in. Then on to Mawgan Porth where I'd had several camping holidays. On to Watergate Bay and finally in to Newquay. England's answer to Bondi Beach. Finally arriving at 14.30. A very easy day. Now done 191 miles.
Just watched Mexico beat Arsenal 2 0. Mildly amusing. Made our 1-1 draw with the Yanks look quite respectable.

Today I visited a plethora of great beaches. This being a typical example at Trevone.

Another one for Anne.This time it's Trevose Head Lighthouse.

One of several premises owned by Rick in "Padstein".

Day 13. Wednesday, 16th June. Polzeath to Porthcothan. Weather. Blue sky, end of story. Nothing unlucky about today. A brilliant walk taking in some beautiful beaches. Walked past the Doom Bar, no, it's not a pub or a brewery, it's a sand bank which catches the unwary mariner. Carried on to Rock and caught the ferry to Padstow. It was packed with ice cream stuffing tourists. Went on to Trevone where I stopped for lunch then to Harlyn Bay, Mother Ivey's Bay, Booby's Bay (didn't spot any), Constantine Bay, Treyarnon Bay and, finally on to Porthcothan where I managed a quick swim before catching the bus to Mawgan Porth, no available digs in Porthcothan. Another 16 miles bringing the total to "one hundred and eighty".

Approaching a very attractive Polzeath. Another Mecca for surfers.

Boy, was that some climb.203 steep steps in all.

Port Isaac beach. Spoilt, in my humble opinon, by allowing cars to park on the beach.

Day 12. Tuesday.15th June. Hi from the Vodafone desert that is the southwest. Only connected now through WiFi in digs. Tintagel to Polzeath. Weather. Occasional cloud but predominately sunny. Still a cooling northerly breeze on tops. A challenging day's walk. Lots of Asssyrian empirye stuff, punctuated by a visit to Port Isaac for lunch.18 miles makes 164 done.5132 ft of ascent brings the total to 36564.

I do like waterfalls. This one is in "Rocky Valley". A beatiful area and our equivalent of the Grand Canyon.

The river at Boscastle. Hard to imagine how it caused so much destruction in 2004. Good to see that the place is thriving again.

Day 11. Monday.14th June. Crackington Haven to Tintagel. Weather. Cloudy at first. Quite sunny by lunchtime then more cloud. Still a cooling breeze off the sea. Another good day's walk. Had lunch at Boscastle, which, like Tintagel, is a tourist hotspot.11 miles today. Total 146 so far and 31432 ft of ascent. My first "Everest" and some.

First sight of Crackington Haven

Good surf at Widemouth Bay

Home of the Widemouth Frog. though I didn't see many of them round here.

Day 10. Sunday 13th June. Bude to Crackington Haven. Weather. Clear blue sky at first becoming gradually more cloudy. Dry with a cooling breeze on tops. Rained just after I arrived at digs. Soon at Widemouth Bay where I walked in the tide edge then some excellent and quite strenuous coastal walking. Another 10 miles.135 done.27387 feet of ascent.

The main beach at Bude

I've got dozens of similar shots today so here's a typical example. Looking South towards Bude.

Day 9. Saturday 12th June. Hartland Quay to Bude. 15 miles. Weather. Blue sky all day. Quite warm with a breeze on top of the cliffs. Today's walk included crossing ten rivers which meant lots of ascents and descents. I've been up and down like the Asssyrian Empire. Now where have I heard that before? After 6 miles I crossed the border into Cornwall. Got to Bude. Checked in and showered. Had a curry. Grabbed some beer from Sainsbury's and watched the match. What a waste of time! Talking of showers.......
Now done 124 miles and 24733 feet of ascent. That's more than 7 Scafell Pikes.

Ok. Who flew the flag upside down at the hotel? There's a scots lass behind the bar. She must be the prime suspect.

Rock formations at Hartland Quay.

Have I mentioned that this area is a technological desert? Thank goodness for WiFi at most B&Bs. This is my attempt to watch South Africa v Mexico.

Hartland Point Lighthouse. This one's for Anne.

Last night's digs. Top of Clovelly High Street.

Day 8. Friday, 11th June. Clovelly to Hartland Quay. Weather. Blue sky virtually all day and quite warm. A short 10 miler today but packed with great coastal scenery. A geologist's dream. Now drinking "Back Of The Net" from good old Greene King. That's the twelfth different beer so far. First 100 done.108 so far.

Clovelly Harbour. Pass the chocolates

Leaving Appledore alive. I'm no missionary.

V

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Day 7. Thursday 10th June. Appledore to Clovelly. Weather. Overcast all day but dry. At last, got back on real coastal walking after 22 miles "inland". Walked to Westward Ho and then on to Clovelly. A lot of woodland walking, nevertheless.98 miles and 18128 feet of ascent now done. That's more than one Eiger. (Yes it's official. I'm now an Eiger counter)

my sentiments entirely.

8 oars and a cox!

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Fitst half decent view of the day, after 1 3/4 hours

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Day six. Braunton to Appledore.19 miles. Weather. Sunny intervals and two short showers. Quite warm. Downpour just after I reached B&B. Good timing I'd say. A predominately tedious, boring walk along a tarmac old railway track around the esturies of the Torridge and the Taw. Passed through Barnstable and Bideford then on to Appledore where it's conjectured that they eat missionaries. Maybe some truth in that. Can't wait to get back on the coast proper.82 miles done.

Surf's up at Croyde Bay.

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