Julie goes walking...

This blog relates to Thursday.  Another night of persistent rain, it was so noisy on the roof of the motorhome i lay awake for a few hours listening to a downloaded radio drama of 'I, Claudius': its very good. It continued to rain heavy into the morning.  Rather than sit around in the motorhome for another day, and knowing the path would be muddy, slippery, with wet overgrown foliage (wet vegetation soaks the legs), we decided to head to Plymouth and spend the day completing the urban part of the coast path. Better to be wet and cold near a coffee shop than in the middle of no where.  Having left the motorhome in the Park and Ride by Plymouth Argyle, we headed to Admiral's Hard the location where the ferry from Cremyll arrives. The ferry across the river Tamar marks the point where we say goodbye to Cornwall and hello to Devon (South) again.  Of course by the time we arrived at the start of todays walk, we were ready for lunch which we found in a greasy cafe by the f...

This blog relates to Wednesday.  It started raining yesterday evening about 6pm, and hasn't stopped all day. Either Sarah took the sun home with her or Colin forgot to bring it, either way i'd like a bit of good weather please.  The bad weather has meant no walking today. Heavy rain and cliff paths don't mix well together. I'm grateful to be hanging around in the motorhome with its heating, electric power, kettle and tv: its better than a one person tent!  I have managed to finish the book i bought in St Austell: a murder mystery set in Cambridge. And now carry on reading  'Into the wild', a true story book about a young man who try's to survive in the Yukon, Arizona, but died.  Anyway nothing to report today - sorry!  Fitbit records 2,250 steps, 1 mile, and 3 flights of stairs.  Photo of rain:   

This blog relates to Tuesday.  Being in the motorhome provides all the comforts of home. Being in a tent for three weeks highlights how we take the simplist things for granted, such as making a cuppa tea when you want it.  We had an earlish start and caught the community bus to Polruan. Polruan is a small fishing village on the opposite side of the estuary to Fowey: a ferry runs between the two. Polruan is a very steep: the walk up the hill out of the village warmed up the muscles!  The book describes this section as: quite difficult, with lots of ascents and descents that prove tiring late in the day. Much like the stage discription for Mevagissy the text highlights lots of steps to climb: 120, 170, 160 etc... and yep, the path was another roller coaster. At times the path was overgrown with fern plants, but also a variety of meadow grasses and flowers - it was very pretty.  Despite being overcast, it was hot and muggy, with little breeze, which meant a lot of sweat...

This blog relates to Monday.  Today consisted of me waiting for Colin and the motorhome to drive from Cambridge to Charlestown.  It was a nice day: light cloud (hot at times) and slight breeze (chilli at times). I hung around outside the hotel which gets busy with tourists. Struck up a few conversations: Met a couple from Newmarket on holiday with their two dogs - they don't like the narrow, single track roads! Spent the day reading a second hand book: a thriller set in Cambridge. Maybe my next 'ambition' (not challenge) should be writing a book!  Hooray... Colin and the motorhome arrived, how lovely. All is good in the world.  Fitbit records: 10,942 steps, 4.8 miles, and 23 flight of stairs.  Photo's are a selection of my attempts at arty shots over the last few weeks, and by the way Pete i found Poldark in Charlestown.            

This blog relates to Sunday.  My first night in three weeks in a bed with a pillow... and i couldn't sleep! Even with chemical and alcohol assistants i was still wide awake at 2am: thats what i call ironic. Walked to Polmear today: an easy walk of about 4 miles. I then caught the bus to Fowey. Fowey is a quaint, Georgian harbour. Very pretty, lots of steep narrow streets and very, very touristy.  Fowey’s most famous resident was Daphne du Maurier who lived and wrote about the area. References to her work can be found everywhere in and around the town.  The other famous local resident is Dawn French who lives in a grade II listed   a mansion with 40 rooms overlooking Readymoney Cove   (i knocked but there was no one home).  Spent the evening in Charlestown looking for Aidan Turner (Poldark), but according to the current episode he's in France looking for the doctor.  Fitbit records: 17,704 steps, 7.77miles and 39 flight of stairs.  Its been a quiet...

This blog relates to Saturday.  Woke up early (6.30) it was raining (light drizzle), showered (7am), still raining. Listened an episode of the Count of Monte Cristo (CMC): very good (bbc iplayer). 8am still raining, listened to last episode of  CMC.  9am still raining: waterproof on, pop to campsite shop for tea and croissants. Still raining.  Pack up tent (its raining). Finished packing: its stopped raining!!! Caught bus to Charlestown for last brunch with Sarah who returns to Cambridge today.  Thank you Sarah for being my carer over the last 3 weeks. Sorry it hasn't panned out to plan: i'm just not a backpacking person, or a swimming fan. I struggle to carry my own excessive weight, without an extra 13k. I need to conserve my joints for the life time ahead of me.  I have enjoyed camping, i love my little tent and bed roll. Thank you for you're company, you've kept me going and planned my days. We've seen some amazing views together, met some really nice p...

This blog relates to Friday.  It was an early start for us, we needed to have tents packed, ready to catch the 8.15am bus from Gerrans to St Austell, then a transfer to the charming Charlestown (Poldark Central) and Carlyon Bay campsite. Another bus ride which winds its way down single track roads to sleepy villages where no one catches the bus!  An early start meant that we arrived in St Austell (or better known to locals as St Awful) train/bus station by 9.30. At this point i must record how impressed Sarah is/was by the train station: a one stop shop. Sarah was able to purchase a train ticket for tomorrows (Saturdays) return journey to Cambridge (she thought the ticket office lady was very helpful). We were able to gather an awful lot of information from a helpful tourist information lady (and charge my mobile), and finally have a cuppa tea and toast.  Another bus journey and a bit of walking (about a mile with the rucksack: Sue you would be proud, i only moaned a litt...

This blog relates to Thursday.  Before starting i need to rectify Tuesdays blog,  we're staying at Portscatho: so the stage was between Falmouth and Portscatho. Wednesdays beach was Porthcurnick Beach. After so many Ports and Porths we've walked through, after a while they all start merging. Anyway back to Thursdays walk.  After the last few days of hot, hot weather we woke to cloud, breeze and a much reduced temperature: perfect for me.  We made an early start with the intention of stopping for breakfast at the 'Hidden Hut Cafe, beside Porthcurnick beach. Lovely setting shame they only cater for lunch and not breakfast - with little choice we were forced to eat cake, instead of the scrambled eggs i'd been preparing myself for!  The atmosphere today was very calm. The sea was like a mill pond. The breeze sporadic, but gentle. Despite the ideal weather, there was few walkers. It was quiet. We both felt very relaxed and layed back.  We set a gentle pace: its ...

This blog relates to Wednesday.  To hot to walk: we spent the morning lazing in shade and the afternoon on the beach.  Its been a good day.  Fitbit records 20,769 steps, 9.11 miles and 57 flight of stairs.   

This blog relates to Tuesday.  As proficient campers we were up, packed and ready for the 10am bus back into Falmouth to catch the ferry to St Mawes (the other side of the estuary).  This beautiful weather is certainly lending itself to making Falmouth and the surrounding area rival the Riviera. Falmouth estuary is full of all very expensive, yachts, cabin cruisers, catamarans, speed boats etc... i would imagine there is an awful lot of money floating the Carrick Road ( Carrick Roads is the estuary of the River Fal, It joins the English Channel).  The ferry trip was great, the water was calm, the breeze was welcome. We landed at St Mawes, again a very exclusive harbour and village. A quick transfer to the bus destined to our next campsite at Gerrans/Porthcurno. We quickly put the tents up, grabbed lunch/breakfast from the only shop in the village and set off walking back to 'Place'. Place is on the opposite side of the estuary to St Mawes and requires another ferry trip a...

This blog relates to Monday. Another hot day (not as hot as the East), so rather than a route march we walked from the camp site, along the coast path to the Helford Estuary. Despite it only being about 5 miles, my legs were sluggish, i found it hard work: blazing sun, heat and little breeze doesn't work well for me.  Anyway it was a lovely walk and on another occassion: easy. We went from beach to narrow enclosed paths, open meadows, small coves, woodland, see views... and then the beautiful Helford estuary. With Todays weather the estuary had a Riviera look and feel about it. Little boats anchored off shore, sailing boats and canoes where out: just stunning!! After sitting outside a very nice pub for a while we 'snuck' into Trebah Gardens: Trebah is a sub-tropical paradise with a stunning coastal backdrop. It is very steep, lush valley leading to its own private beach; the vista took my breath away: stunning, stunning, stunning!  Its been a lovely day: a bit of coa...

After yesterdays (saturday) travel, beach and evening out we had a lie in this morning. Despite this i woke feeling the need to break the cycle and have a rest. In reality my feet/ankles were swollen, and i wanted to do something normal, likd be a tourist.  Sarah kindly agreed and late morning we ambled into Falmouth for breakfast/lunch. On the way we came across the  Gyllyngdune’s pavillion and gardens: an Edwardian family designed and developed this space. We visited the fernery and shell grotto's which was a little oasis: the shell grotto was amazing and self luminating. It was awesome.  Today (Sunday) was the last day of the sea shanty festival, so after eating we stood watching a great, great band: the Longest Johns. As sea shanty men go, they are young (good beards), write their own music or shanties, and seem to be in a different class. They were very good. Did i mention it was hot again today (although cooler than East Anglia: 30!).  After a break: shopping f...