Hi folks
Just got back from my week with Roy in Cornwall, walking from Lands End to Newquay. It was a great week, but I'm very glad I've escaped just as the biggest storm of the year was starting to hit the south west! More of that next week when I get the next chunk of information from Roy. He's writing a day-by-day diary, hoping to publish at the end of the walk, so you'll have to wait a while before you get to read that.
We both found the week strenuous because we hadn't had time to get fit before we set off and the coastal path in some areas consists of a short walk along the cliffs, killer-steps or steep path down to sea level, killer-steps back up to the cliff, repeat, repeat, repeat.... Roy had to keep reminding himself that this is the cushy part of the walk. Scenery was wild and magnificent - angry white foamy seas crashing on rugged rocks - and that was before the storm! I can only upload a few photos at a time so have a look at them. I'll have to overwrite them to make room for others each time Roy sends me the SD card from the camera.
Little acts of kindness mean so much on this kind of trip, like the hotelier who felt sorry for us and let us in for a coffee even though they were really closed. The bed and breakfast stops varied from excellent to absolutely dire, all adding to the fun. One was so bad that we didn't like putting our belongings on the carpet in case they got dirty! The plan is for Roy to camp and youth hostel from now on, but there are only two problems with that - the 80mph winds and the fact that most of the youth hostels and campsites don't open till Easter. More next time!
During the week we saw plenty of wild-life. Kestrels, buzzards, sanderling, oyster-catcher, skylarks, a giant furry caterpillar, a newt/lizard (don't know the difference), about forty basking seals, and a robin that ate out of Roy's hand (honestly). The scenery really was incredible, food for the soul. And the feeling of satisfaction is enormous as you watch the bit of coast you walked a couple of days ago disappearing from the distant horizon. I'm just beginning to understand why Roy needs to do this trip all in one go, not in lots of disjointed bits.
Next instalment when I have more news. H
