Day 20 (April 22) Carbis Bay to Botallack

Walked into St Ives and made decision that it would be foolish to contemplate walking this section, rated the most severe of the SWCP, due to the high winds. A great shame but better safe than sorry so I did the walk along the road. Had a quick pint in The Gurnards Head Hotel where the young landlord (?) told me he had walked the 43 miles from the hotel along the SWCP to Marazion in one day!

Yesterday my phone packed up & Lyn had to motor back to Truro to get it sorted - O2 have to send it away for repair and lent her another one.

Day 19 (April 21) Porthtowan to Carbis Bay

Today started with threatening black clouds & was very windy especially along the cliffs from Porthtowan to Portreath. After the climb out of Portreath there was a lovely level walk high above the cliffs to Hell's Mouth, Godrevy and beyond. At Gwithian I descended and walked the magnificent Gwithian & Hayle Sands to Hayle where I was met by Steve, Pat, John & Chris. It is great to get support and we walked together to Carbis Bay where John ferried me to join Lyn at the campsite.

No such support from Falmouth police - they issued a ticket for saying the motorhome was causing an obstruction. I could legally have parked the motorhome on the road opposite our house but that would have made it difficult for the buses that use this route. So I parked the motorhome partially on the pavement to avoid this. Pedestrians could still use the path although wheelchair users might have to put their wheels on the grass by the pavement. It is ludicrous that common sense gets me a ticket!

Day 18 (April 20) Newquay to Porthtowan

Fantastic scenery again today but still blustery. Light drizzle for a couple of hours - excuse for a pint of Doom Bar at Driftwood Spars, St. Agnes.
Met a very interesting ex naval chap at Holywell. Told me ALL about HRH's Charles & Andrew when they were at Culdrose! Actually he didn't but you never let the truth get in the way of a good blog.

Nice article in yesterday's West Briton about 'the walk'. Thank you for the publicity - let's hope it helps with the raising of money for the RNLI. What a pity the T.V. & radio stations haven't shown the slightest interest!!

Day 17 (April 19) Trevone to Newquay

Up at 5a.m. - drive to Trevone - on with the waterproofs; more against the wind than the rain. Talking about wind, I thought that would dissipate now that Melv had returned to Norfolk, but not a bit of it - I passed a collapsed cave today (I think some people call it a blowhole).

Despite the wind, today's walk (20 miles) was memorable for the reason that the scenery was so magnificent. Lyn and I have been lucky enough to travel to many countries (including The Caribbean, South America & Australia) but I don't think I have seen more stunning beaches than we have here in Cornwall. (Unfortunately I could not take any photos after the first mile or so cos my camera battery went flat).

Day 16 (April 18)

No improvement in the weather so walk suspended again. Sadly we said our farewells to Jacqui & Melv who had to return to Norfolk. Lyn & myself are certainly going to miss them - always very helpful, cheerful & supportive. Big, big thanks to you both.
Must share this little snippet with you: Melv says to me "Pete, is there anywhere on the route I can see the sea on my left hand side?" I said, "Melv you fool, just turn around".

Day 15 (April 17) Rest Day

"Chicken" if you like but I made a decision at 6 a.m. to suspend 'the walk' due to the very strong, blustery winds. A coastal path is not the place to be in those conditions. We drove back to Falmouth - home comforts - bliss. Last supper with Jacqui & Melv at The Falmouth Hotel - waiter had trouble removing spoon from my shoe - don't ask!

Day 14 (April 16) Port Quin to Trevone

Do I really have to write a blog tonight - after 2 very large G & T's and 2 bottles of red wine I'm having a job to focus.
Today Melv & I went on a cruise (without an Italian captain). We travelled from Rock to Padstow. Jacqui & Lyn met us (after we had passed through customs) with crab sandwiches purchased from Rick's place. Padstein was packed with tourists which made such a contrast to the solitude of the coast path. Although Chough's Bakery had a long queue Lyn bought a couple of pasties for our lunch tomorrow; good girl.
Tomorrow is Melv's last day of walking with me; he is heartbroken poor lad.

For all those multitudes who intended walking with me I have decided to bring the rest day from Thursday to Wednesday. I know this is going to disrupt so many peoples lives but honestly I couldn't care a toss. Pass the sambucca Lyn.

Day 13 (April 15) Tintagel to Port Quin

Melv & I set off from Tintagel in lovely blue skies and sunshine which lasted all day. However I didn't see Melv for long as he decided to take some photos of a couple of girls & went the wrong way. He thought I was in front of him & set off at a hare's pace to catch me up. Chaos. What a good job Melv had his mobile phone - not. It took me one and a half hours to catch him.
Lyn was stuck in the mud - well the van was but very helpful site owner came to rescue maiden (I've used this word very loosely).
Steve Collinson, Pat, Steve's parents Ken & Cynthia journeyed up from Falmouth to give a bit of support - thanks to all of you. Steve, in fact, walked back three and a half miles from Port Isaac & joined us on the walk & continued with Melv & myself to Port Quin. We joined the rest of the gang in Port Isaac where a pasty & pint were thrust upon us.
The group of 8 gathered at the camp site where we had saffron cake, Cornish fairings, wine & beer. Then, after a quick shower for the walkers, Jacquie then drove us back to The Old School House for an evening meal. Melv, human dustbin that he is, wanted to know what was being served for supper back at camp.
On the walk today we saw a peregrine and an alpaca which was acting as bodyguard to a small flock of black sheep.

Melv has taken up studying botany - he said anything to get away from Jethro jokes.

Day 12 (April 14) Crackington Haven to Tintagel

Received a very kind offer from a reader of the blog offering a toe from one of his grandad's piglets. No, it wasn't from Del Boy Trotter!
Cathie & John travelled up from Truro & spent last evening with us, thank you both for your support. The six of us had a good meal in The Coombe Barton Inn last night but we all drank too much except for Jacqui who taxied us back to the campsite. Surprising I was the only one suffering from a hangover this morning.
Melv & I left Crackington Haven in lovely bright sunshine and soon stripped down to single tee shirts. It stayed like this until Boscastle, a delightful little harbour with a few small fishing boats. However this is where the weather took a turn for the worse. We had hail, thunder & heavy rain. Despite our waterproofs we got soaked; it even permeated our guaranteed waterproof boots. Thankfully the girls were very sympathetic when 2 drowned rats reached the campsite at Tintagel.
Tonight we are dining at a local Indian restaurant.
Do any of our readers know the name of Tonto's horse?

Day 11 (April 13) Bude to Crackington Haven

Friday 13th - oh, dear, Lyn has done so well with the motorhome but today she thought she would streamline the back end. Say no more.
For Melv and I today was a short walking day with just a few steep valleys unlike yesterday which involved so many really quite precipitous valleys & trillions of steps. We got to Crackington Haven early afternoon, just before it poured with rain. I've always maintained that the sun shines on the righteous!
I know all you avid readers of this blog are dying to know the state of my toe. Well it is even more painful; every step, etc. I think gangrene has set in & amputation is only a matter of time. Is there anyone out there who is prepared to donate a small toe to use in a transplant operation? If so please give us a phone, text, blog.

Day 10 (April 12) Hartland Quay to Bude

Lyn's now managed to sort out the blog site (with Steve's help). For those who have been following, (all 3 of you!) day 8 did a vanishing trick; however it's now been reinstated.
Perfect day for walking today - slight breeze, sunshine & not too hot and fantastic sceneery. Couldn't believe the number of stiles we had to clamber over today. We also went through numerous kissing gates - I feel quite puckered.
Something I forgot to mention yesterday; Melv spotted a Mosque. Silly sod - it was a radar station. However he did spot some swallows, and we saw several more today. Melv also set a p.b. - managed 2 hours without having to wee. He also managed to give me another interesting lecture on "periglacial geomorphology" and described a "misfit stream". Can't wait for tomorrow's instalment.

Day 9 (April 11) Clovelly to Hartland Quay

Short blog today as we're going to the pub. Lovely weather today with spectacular views. Melv said "wonderful dipping strata of Devonian red sandstone". At the end of todays walk the girls provided us with scones, strawberry jam & clotted cream, Roddas of course - none of that Devonshire stuff! Steve Collinson set up this great blog site so that our family & friends could follow the progress & post comments, etc. So come on you blog responders & start posting. You've been conspicuous by your silence.

Day 8 (April 10) Westward Ho! to Clovelly

Sunshine & showers, muddy paths, who's idea was this? I even had a 5 hour geological lecture from my walking companion. I was totally enthralled! Saw a teenage girl on the footpath wearing sequinned slippers - the youth of today, eh. Have now ascended almost 20,000ft & walked 100 miles (only another 530 miles to go). Melv has now got a sore blister ....aaah!

Day 7 (April 9) Westward Ho!

The scenery today has been unchanging. Of course this might be due to the fact that we have not moved from the campsite in which we are parked. On rising this morning the wind & rain was persistent, so we were glad that we made the decision last night to bring forward the rest day; the blistered toes are grateful.
We had a smashing full English breakfast (thank you Lyn) and have been whiling away the day doing more eating, drinking & playing silly games, like Boggle.

Must say that the motorhome is exceeding our expectations as the back-up vehicle; and whilst we are at it let me say a big thank you to Chelstons for their generous support.

Day 6 (April 8) Barnstaple to Westward Ho!

Perhaps I wrote yesterday's blog too soon after getting back to the motorhome. Upon reflection yesterday's walk was not so uninteresting; it had glorious views across Croyde Bay & Saunton Sands. Todays walk was flat (a nice break) and Melv and I decided to carry on to Westward Ho! instead of finishing, as planned, at Appledore. Melv lost my RNLI cap - you can't trust him with anything! My little toe is even more painful & I have a new blister on a big toe! We may well not walk to Clovelly tomorrow as rain & high winds are forecast. We may take the rest day one day early.

Day 5 (April 7) Woolacombe to Barnstaple

Uninteresting walk today except for reminiscences with Melv. I'm sure Jacqui doesn't know half of it and of course I'm far too much of a gentleman to divulge! We got back to the mobile home and our wives were actually there to let us in - for a change!! Little toe even more painful ..... aaah!

Day 4 (April 6) Combe Martin to Woolacombe (Putsborough Sand)

Long standing friends Melv & Jacqui, from Norfolk have now joined us in their passion wagon. Melv, despite his painful Achilles, will be walking with me for the next 12 days whilst Jacqui will be cooking wonderful meals with Lyn.
So today we had 7 walkers, Mark, Kerra, Kyle, Holly, Melv, myself and Milo the spotty dog. Mark & Holly walked as far as Lee Bay - very good for an eight year old girl (Mark)!! Kyle (10 years old ) completed to Putsborough Sands with the rest of us. I've got a blistered, sore little toe - everyone ...aaaah!

Day 3 (April 5) Lynton to Combe Martin (Watermouth Bay)

I said to this chap "5 days before I started my walk I twisted my knee. I couldn't get up our stairs". To which he replied "do you live in a bungalow?"

The walk today was quite strenuous - 2 particularly hard climbs and exceptionally windy.
Meeting up this evening with my nephew Mark, (golf professional at Ilfracombe Golf Club) wife Kerra, their son Kyle and daughter Holly. Should be a good evening.

Day 2 (April 4) Porlock Weir to Valley of Rocks

Very cold today 0 C. A few snow flakes fell upon me but too few to mention - so I won't. Who said you can't get lost on the coast path - I did, twice! Saw a lamb being born, I said to Lyn "ewe would have liked that". Now camping at Valley of Rocks (Lynton). Lots of ponies and goats for company on our 42nd wedding anniversary.

Day 1 (April 3) Minehead to Porlock Weir

Thank you all for your best wishes. Completed 1st day without mishaps. Glad to get to Porlock Weir before the rain set in. Lyn getting used to driving the motorhome!! Time now for a G & T before dinner.