Tidying up!

Have decided that I am banging my head against a brick wall with my efforts of collecting any more donations to the RNLI.
As some of you know I have written many letters/emails to various clubs, organisations and firms (probably about 150) but without much success. It is interesting to note that I had only 1 donation (from Starcross Fishing & Cruising Club) from all the sailing clubs (54) that I contacted. Only a handful even replied. I know times are hard, etc. and also many clubs support their own local branch of the RNLI but I would have thought that considering their membership is made up of comparatively wealthy people thay could have been more generous!

Almost all of the donations has come from friends, and I thank all of you for being supportive. From all of the letters/emails that I sent I received only 5 donations. The total raised was £630. However as some of the campsites that we stayed at gave us reductions Lyn and myself have made up the total to £750. I will now send off the cheques to the RNLI 's head office in Poole. If anyone reading this blog still wishes to make a donation please make cheques payable to the RNLI, send to me and then I will update on this blog site accordingly.

Thank you for reading.

Pete.

Update 22nd May

I've been neglecting all my millions of blog readers; sorry about that.

After spending last Thursday night at the brilliant Wareham Forest Tourist Park we drove back to Bovey Tracey to reunite Melv with his banger (no silly comments please!). We met up with John P., Graham, Jacqui and Vaughan, and after coffee and choccies said our farewells - Melv roared off back to Norfolk (in reality more of a phut, phut), Lyn and myself home to Falmouth.

Besides the washing, ironing, cleaning, etc. (the endearing little jobs for which you girlies were put on this planet) we are replying to emails and sending out reminders to people who might make donations to the RNLI. I have to say that the response so far has been very disappointing - perhaps if the radio and T.V. stations had taken just a little interest and given the walk some publicity the fund-raising would have been better. As some of you know I intend to publish, on this blog, the sum raised, however this won't be possible for a few weeks until all the monies (hopefully) have been collected.

A couple of facts before I log off (going on holiday on Thursday so I won't be posting anything on this site for a while):

SWCP Walk
Commenced Minehead April 3
Finished Poole May 17
Duration 44 days incl. 5 rest days
Distance 630 miles
Height climbed 111,500 ft (35,030m) just short of climbing Mt. Everest 4 times from sea-level

Would I do it again? Not the right moment to answer that but it was much tougher than I anticipated, and certainly not helped by the adverse weather conditions; slipping and sliding, and plodding on through, at times, gluttonous muck, being battered by high winds and driving rain is not my idea of fun. Conversely when the sun was shining and the path was dry(ish) it felt good to be alive; what better place to be. I don't think I could have completed the walk without be accompanied by some good friends, Melv in particular. Certainly I would have given up without the encouragement of Lyn.

Day 45 (May 17) Langton Matravers to South Haven Point (Poole)

Melv & I made a late start to our final day; we didn't get out of our beds until 6.30 but we knew that today's walk would be a short one because we had extended yesterday's walk.
We had just passed Swanage & as we approached "Old Harry's Rocks" we noticed this elderly gentleman almost collapsed on a bench. Being good Samaritans , like whot we is, we pushed him over the cliff - no we didn't, we took pity on him. Then I realised it was John P. Between us Melv & I managed to carry John to the nearest pub where a drink seemed to revive him. John was certainly revived by the time we passed through the nudist beach on Studland Heath. We dragged John on, screaming & shouting, to the finish at South Haven Point where we were met by thousands of well wishers, radio & t.v. reporters all demanding interviews, autographs, etc. In reality we were met by Lyn & Barbara. After a few photos we went back to the van which was decorated with balloons & bunting and had some champagne & nibbles (food).
Melv & I are sad at the thought of no more walking tomorrow - NOT. Our feet are blistered and sore and we are definitely going to celebrate tonight.
And now big thank you's to the following: Melv who walked with me for 10 days on the north coast of Devon & Cornwall early doors & then returned and walked 8 more days on the south coast of Devon & Dorset. Remember Melv lives in Norfolk so had a very long way to travel. I couldn't have completed the walk without his good-natured support - he kept my spirits up in trying weather conditions. Some of his jokes were terrible & the wind ......! but you can't have everything. Also thanks to Melv's wife Jacqui who was with us for the north coast bit; she helped Lyn a lot and ferried us from coast path to camp sites which meant no drinkies!
Thanks to John (and Barbara of course) for walking with me for 2 and a bit days - the 2 days were in horrid weather conditions and again he kept my spirits up with chat about how well Chelsea were playing & how poorly Blackburn were doing.
thanks to nephew Mark, Kerra, Kyle & Holly for walking with me on day 4. It was great to see a couple of youngsters enjoying themselves in the fresh air unlike so many overweight, pasty-faced kids who spend their lives in front of the t.v. and computers. Well done to the 4 of you.
Thanks to Steve who set up the blog site - brilliant. Also Steve walked with me twice on the north coast of Cornwall and wife Pat who walked with me at Hayle to Carbis Bay. Also thanks to you in advance for next Saturday - I shall be very hungry!
Thank you Vaughan for walking with me on day 38 and to Jacquie for her support. i used to wlk with Vaughan every Tuesday when I lived in devon and I miss his company.
Thank you to Terry & Sue for looking after our house (along with Pat & Steve) during the duration of the walk. I know you have drunk all my wine and sold off most of our treasured possessions but you are good friends.
Thank you Graham (& Melissa) for meeting up with us in Brixham ( a good evening) and for looking after Melv's car.
Thank you to Peter D. for meeting up with us in Porthtowan - a nice supportive gesture.
Thank you to all those people who have posted comments on the blog site. Some of you posted blogs every other day and very amusing ones they were too. These comments certainly helped me through lonely days in nasty weather conditions.
Thank you Jayne for walking with me on day 42. You were smashing company - sorry you got your hair wet.
Thank you to Cathie & John for meeting up with us at Crackington Haven. lovely to see you - a good evening.
Thank you to The West Briton for publicising my efforts to raise funds for the RNLI. Hopefully this will bear fruit.
Thank you to Chelstons for their support.
One negative - we approached all the T.V. and radio companies to get some coverage. They gave us none - you should be ashamed!
Many thanks to those who have made donations to the RNLI and if any of you have enjoyed reading this blog please support the RNLI by sending cheques made payable to the RNLI and send
to me :
Peter Crago, 35 Castle Drive, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4NF.

And of course the biggest thank you of all goes to my long suffering wife Lyn who drove the motorhome. Lyn had not driven the van before and she took all the narrow lanes in her stride. She supplied great meals, did essential washing, catered for drowned rats, etc. etc. without ever complaining. I love you sweetheart.

Day 44 (May 16) Durdle Door to Langton Matravers

Except for a couple of hours around midday we had sunny weather throughout the day - quite chilly at times though.
From our camp site at Durdle Door we walked to Lulworth Cove. From there we had to leave the coast path & detour (12 miles) around Lulworth Range cos the Army was playing at soldiers.
Outside the entrance to Lulworth Camp there was this tank, obviously placed there for 2 lads like Melv & me to play with! So I climb aboard & this nasty soldier boy tells me to get off. Well, he didn't frighten me; I am an ATC veteran! I said " you make me camel face". Then he says "I've got a big gun here pal". Melv steps in as my protector and says "leave my mate alone, sweetie or I will tickle you with my feather". That showed soldier boy who started to blub & ran off saying he would tell his sergeant about us.
We covered 24 miles in the day & some of the route was described in the SWCP handbook as 'severe'. Arrived at Langton Matravers knackered with very sore feet (more blisters).

Day 43 (May 15) Portland to Durdle Door

Sunny and breezy most of the day except for a period in Weymouth when we had a really heavy squall. Melv and I were very impressed with Weymouth - lovely harbour and a prom that stretched for ever, and it's pretty obvious that a lot of money has been spent on tarting things up for The Olympics.
Today I just had Melv's back to focus upon unlike yesterday when I got quite excited looking at Jayne's bum - she asked me to - it was something to do with her 'lastic' being loose. 'Lastic' is a funny thing; normally you don't want to know women with loose 'lastic' - the women you fancy usually have very tight 'lastic'!

Today we went through several "kissing gates" - Melv's lips are quite chapped now, & just in case any of you are wondering we have become quite good friends on this walk!

Day 42 (May 14) Abbotsbury to Portland

I knew yesterday was too good to be true; the weather today was horrid, blustery wind & rain. However the day was brightened up with the presence of Jayne. Jayne is a serious outdoors athlete having competed in the Iron Man in Hawaii. So Jayne and Melv had plenty of things in common to natter about cos Melv has competed in endless triathlons. He has also run loads of marathons including the London marathon 13 times. He once ran 80 miles in 12 hours - the nutter!

After the 21 miles we were glad to get back to the van out of the weather and met up with Jayne's husband Andrew. Big Andrew, 6 feet 5 inches, ex policeman. Imagine him with his helmet on - he must have been 7 feet 14 inches - few criminals would want to accost this giant. If they did Portland would be their next hotel.

Day 41 (May 13) Charmouth to Abbotsbury

Nothing much to blog about really.
Lots of people out walking today in ideal walking conditions - cool breeze and sunny. Melv delayed us all day with his incessant chatter with these walkers. I am far too reserved & shy to engage in conversation with strangers.

Lovely scenery all day - sandy & shingly beaches. We did encounter quite a row whilst walking alongside some marshes - it was frogs or bullfrogs to be exact. Melv thought the noise was caused by grasshopper warblers but then he's not very bright.

Day 40 (May 12) Rest Day at Wood Farm

After our late meal last night we immediately took to our beds. I reckon I was asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow.
So we slept in this morning & didn't get up until 8a.m. After wonderful shower we had a big fry up - just the ticket although I'm sure Melv had one more sausage than me - the porker!
Have spent the day cleaning waterproofs, boots etc. but also enjoying the wonderful SUNSHINE.
Only 5 more days to go - let's hope the weather is kind cos there are still some tough sections to complete.

Day 39 (May 11) Ladram to Charmouth

Today's walk was probably the most exhausting walk I have ever done. Although it was only just over 22 miles the terrain, especially from Seaton to Lyme Regis, was awful; the normal ups and downs but due to the amount of recent rainfall the path was a quagmire - just very slippery. Our boots felt so heavy with the accumulation of mud. Melv managed to have a tumble down some steps but luckily he didn't splash me with mud! We started out from Ladram at 7.30a.m. and arrived, absolutely shattered, at Charmouth at 7.45p.m. and we barely stopped walking all day. (We did have an ice cream at Lyme Regis but don't tell Lyn! We also had a beer at Beer - we felt obliged).
To compensate we are now staying at Wood Farm Caravan & Camping Park. The facilities are excellent and the owners have been very generous with their sponsorship for the RNLI. Thank you.
During the day Lyn was able to buy me a new stick as a replacement for the one Melv left behind in Budleigh Salterton. I hope he won't be so careless with this one!

"Twister" (whoever he/she is) has made a reappearance on the blog site and we thought he/she had expired!

Day 38 (May 10) Shaldon to Ladram

Last night we celebrated Bab's birthday at this Italian restaurant in Teignmouth called The Coliseum; the food & the service (owner's wife) was lively & brill ... so if anyone fancies a great evening out in Teignmouth The Coliseum is the place.
Forgot to mention yesterday, besides the slow worm that John nearly stepped on, it was so cold we even saw Chinstrap Penguina!
This morning Melv & I hurried down to Shaldon beach to catch the 8 o'clock ferry across to Teignmouth. The ferryman made an appearance at 8.15. He said "I'm never late" - daft bugger; he was 15 minutes late! Then he said "I've never seen anybody waiting for the ferry at 8 o'clock". How stupid was this man - if he turns out at 8.15 how could he know if there was anybody there at 8 o'clock. Anyway we joined John and trudged along in persistent rain all the way to Starcross where we missed the ferry to Exmouth by 5 minutes. Next one not for another hour. We retraced our steps and went to have a pint in The Atmospheric Railway Inn, but not open until 12 o'clock. We ended up in a charity shop that doubled as a cafe where Melv frightened a couple of old dears by threatening to take off his trousers!

Ferry to Exmouth where we met up with Jacqui & Vaughan. Then Vaughan joined John, Melv & myself to continue in the p ...... rain to ladram. Just to make matters worse Melv lost my walking pole.

Day 37 (May 9) Brixham to Shaldon

It was good to catch up with Graham & Melissa last evening - good food and chat. For those of you who don't know them Graham is a king quizzer & Melissa, who is excelling in her 6th form, is rapidly becoming one as well - queen quizzer!
I shouldn't have blogged yesterday about God cos today he got his own back. All day it fell on John P. & myself, rain that is. It made some of the path very slippery & if I was walking by myself it would have been very unpleasant. John's & my normal banter about sport, politics, etc. helped us on along our way; but absolutely no photos today. Anyway, after a nice hot shower, things seem brighter.
5p.m. & Melv has now arrived, kindly ferried across from Bovey Tracey by Graham. (Melv is leaving his limousine at Graham's). Melv was very critical about Graham's new Jag - said it wasn't a patch on his 23 year old Volvo!
The three of us are about to go out for a birthday celebration (Barbara's) with John & Babs to an Italian restaurant in Teignmouth. Will report back on tomorrow's blog.

Day 36 (May 8) Strete to Brixham

Again the van was lashed with rain last night but it cleared just as I was setting out. Perhaps the sun does shine on the righteous after all. Talking about celestial beings I reckon God wasn't very bright; he was O.K. in little matters like creating the earth and stuff but why oh why didn't he put the hills into the valleys. Then I wouldn't have to climb one bloody hill and then descend into a valley only to have to climb another boggin hill. If only God had my wisdom! You can't get decent Gods these days.
And another thing - have any of you (my millions of avid blog-readers) been on the lower ferry between Dartmouth and Kingswear? The ferry (or raft) is pulled along by a motor boat. As soon as it leaves the anchorage the boat does a 180 degrees turn. Why can't the boat just reverse across the river? Maybe it was done this way because it originally had a woman driver.
John P is joining me for the walk tomorrow, Brixham to Shaldon & says he might even join me the next day, Shaldon to Sidmouth. It will be good to have John's company - he was the chap who got me interested in walking when we were neighbours in Devon so he's got a lot to answer for. I've promised John I won't mention football as he is a keen Blackburn supporter - tee, hee!

Another Devon neighbour, Graham & his daughter Melissa are joining us tonight for a meal out in Brixham. Should be a good laugh and catch up with gossip.

Day 35 (May 7) Salcombe to Strete

Last night the rain just hammered it down on the van. I woke this morning, at about 6a.m., and thought 'I don't want to walk in this'. I did wonder whether the ferry at Salcombe would be running. However, by the time ablutions were complete, breakfast taken and we had journeyed to Salcombe the weather had dramatically improved.
The ferry crossing was fine but the ferryman was uncommunicative almost to the point of being rude.
The actual walk, although described in the SWCP Association handbook as strenuous was, I thought, undemanding except for a couple of exposed headlands. I met several other walkers en route - one quite posh geezer suggested I might try this restaurant in Strete called The Laughing Monk. We did, and it was top notch.

Now writing this blog after too much good food and wine so if it sounds a bit inebriated, well I'm not surprised - good night.

Day 34 (May 6) Soar Cove to Salcombe / Rest Day

Perfect walking conditions - overcast with a gentle breeze. Lyn decided to join me on the walk from our campsite to Salcombe and a very nice walk it was too. Had coffee & cake in Salcombe, then tried phoning for a taxi to take us back to Higher Rew. we tried several taxi companies but none was able to oblige us until mid afternoon at earliest - peasants! Therefore we caught the water ferry from Salcombe back to South sands and walked from there - as if I needed some extra walking!

1p.m. and I'm not going to do anything else today except make some phone calls, eat, drink and bask in the glory of Chelsea beating the Scousers in the F.A. Cup Final yesterday.

Day 33 (May 5) Bigbury to Soar Cove

It's been wind & rain all night - delayed start. Wasn't able to make contact with man who operates ferry between Cockleridge (just outside of Bigbury) last evening so had to drive round - big detour and narrow lanes. Hope ferryman's boat springs a leak, or his wife runs away with the milkman.
Very windy walk all the way to Soar Mill Cove - then cut inland to campsite Lyn had booked at Higher Rew. As tomorrow is a rest day I decided to walk the remainder of today's planned walk to Salcombe tomorrow.

Campsite is much more civilised than yesterday's - hot showers, etc. I suppose I could try to use our van's T.V. to watch Chelsea beat Liverpool in the FA Cup Final but I am quite happy not to watch it and just bask in the company of my wife!!

Day 32 (May 4) Mt. Batten to Bigbury

Overcast with poor visibility out to sea - slight breeze.
Good path most of the way - made good progress to Noss Mayo. Ferryman said I should get a real move on if I intended crossing the River Erme on foot. He reckoned if I got there after 1p.m. it would not be possible. Although I walked quicker than usual I arrived at the River Erme at almost 1p.m. I didn't know where the exact crossing point was - it all looked improbable but I asked a chap exercising his dogs on the flats. He said it was fordable if I got a wriggle on because the tide was coming in and gave me the benefit of his local knowledge. So I took off my boots & socks, rolled trousers up and set oof. The water came up to my knees but I was across only just in time!
The rest of the walk was comparatively uneventful - the normal ups & downs, steps, etc. - the sun made a late appearance for a while.

Tonight we are staying at Mount Folly Farm - we have a hook-up but the facilities are the pits. At least the sheep aren't complaining although I have heard one or two bleats!

Day 31 (May 3) Portwrinkle to Mt. Batten

Weather overcast, no wind. After 20 minutes I had damp feet - so much for my almost new Merrell boots - will be taking them back to Cotswolds when I've finished the walk.
Had to take the longish detour around the M.O.D's Tregantle Firing Ranges cos else they would have shot me! The coast path took me around Rame Head & Penlee Point which would have provided good photo opportunities if the sun was out, but it wasn't. Trundled on to the delightful Cawsand & Kingsand villages, and then into the grounds of Mt. Edgcumbe Country Park. The only deer I saw were old ones.
After taking the wrong path (twice) I ended up just missing the Cremyll Ferry which allowed me just enough time to sink a pint of Proper job in the Edgcumbe Arms - must go back sometime to sample the food which looked very tasty. Walked through familiar territory of the Hoe and the Barbican where I met up with Lyn. She had done some shopping but wouldn't tell me what she had bought! Took ferry to Mt. Batten where we are spending the night in a car park (next to Mt. Batten Hotel where we will be eating tonight).

According to SWCP handbook I have now completed 419 miles with a cumulative ascent of over 80,000 ft.

Day 30 (May 2) Polruan to Portwrinkle

What a wonderful day - sunshine & gentle breeze all day - it makes such a difference.
After spending half an hour doing the normal ritual of taping & plastering of my feet I left the campsite at 6.45 & made excellent time along the good path. Arrived in Polperro at 9.45 - pity the tide was out cos I think Polperro is the most quintessentially quaint Cornish fishing port which looks terrific when there is water in the harbour.
Lovely easy walk to Looe - another typical fishing port with loads of charm. I took the ferry from West to East Looe - 40p! Then onto Portwrinkle (very small harbour) where we are staying overnight in a car park. 19 miles today.
Saw a dead porpoise on a beach - also saw lots of shags.

Saw more people than normal today, obviously due to the lovely weather, especially between Polperrow and Looe. Met this Canadian chap. We exchanged a few pleasantries, like you do, then he says to me "you walk in the rain - you're my kind of man!" Well ...... nephew Mark has always said "don't knock it until you've tried it" but there are some things I don't want to try - like boiled puffin mince & dumplings. Talking about mince I rapidly said 'have a good day' to the nice Canadian man & quickened my pace.

Day 29 (May 1) Pentewan to Fowey (Polruan)

What a change from yesterday. We woke this morning to sunshine and NO WIND or RAIN! It stayed this way for about 3 hours & then it began to get breezy. However no rain today.
My very comfortable gortex type boots have given up - they are about 9 years old and recently I had them re-soled. However, despite me giving them TLC the stitching has perished. Only 15 minutes into today's walk and my feet were soaking. Will have to use my Merrells from now on. Hope they don't give me blisters - have got enough already.
Lyn has had fun today driving the van along the narrow Cornish lanes - apparently Fowey ferry was an adventure! Still she had plenty of time to stroll around Fowey once she was ensconced at Polruan camp site. Even admitted to having a pasty for lunch. Waistline? What waistline?!
About 2 hours ago this family turned up on site towing the smallest caravan I have ever seen. Mum, dad, daughter, grandchild & dog. He took about 10 turns at reversing his caravan onto his pitch, failed & left it, well, fairly close. The family has since been trying to erect an awning thingy on the side of the caravan without much success. Much arguing, arms waving, etc. Mum, daughter & dog have now disappeared leaving dad to erect a small tent - he's given up on the awning thingy. I don't think he's having much success with the tent either. Do you think I should give him a hand, no that will probably make it worse! No we'll just drink our wine and watch the entertainment!
Does anyone know anything about the sculptures (see piccy)?

Day 28 (April 30) Portloe to Pentewan

The skies were heavy when we left behind the comforts of home and drove to Portloe; however the weather was reasonable until I reached Caerhays (the gardens were closed due to the weather). Then it started to rain in earnest and the wind increased to gale force. By the time I reached Gorran Haven it was past a joke. I spent a while at Portmellon taking many photos of the sea breaking over the coast road, and the harbour at Mevagissey was full of boats sheltering from the storm.
What about the footie yesterday - Chelsea 6 QPR 1 - come on you blues! Blackburn look doomed. According to The Mail (and they are never wrong) Roy Hodgson is going to be the new England manager - the hierarchy are not even going to interview 'Arry Boy'!
Dave & Jason - how did you get on with your walk today?

Big fire in Falmouth - roads closed - Lyn lucky to get away. She had nothing to do with it, so she told me!