And I was off! Heading in the car towards Minehead with a still too-heavy pack, I decided to start my trip right at the beginning again. In February I’d hiked approximately 100 miles of the coast path so in some ways I could skip it and start where I left off, but that just didn’t …
I awoke smiling; rested but still sore of course! Prising my creaking joints out of the Bideford Hotel bed I packed my belongings as quickly as I could and switched the kettle on; keen to make a start on the day ahead. I enjoyed ALL of the coffee provided in the hotel room and then …
As I hike along I am finding so many incredible spots that are in my own home county, and am kicking myself for not getting out and exploring more before now. The thing is that I thought I HAD explored… but Cornwall keeps proving there is more to offer around every corner, and that even …
Heading up the steep climb out of Porthtowan I looked backwards towards a view I don’t think I’d ever seen before, despite my many weekends spent in the village enjoying music at the Blue Bar and sunning on the beach. I’d obviously never walked up and out this way. What a treat to see the …
Make no mistake; today I was going round the bend. Right around the very end of Lands End. After a few weeks of facing the wind and strong seas of the North Coast, I was looking forward to the slightly different landscape and weather of the more sheltered South. Perhaps it isn’t really much more …
I was happy to have a friend with me for the second day in a row; someone to share the fun and fitness of hiking big miles and seeing beautiful things. Emily is an old friend and kindred spirit in the ways of adventure so it’s always lovely to chat and walk with her. We …
Packing up my campsite that morning whilst waiting for my sister to arrive, I considered all the places I’d stayed so far on the South West Coast Path. This one was the most expensive one yet! I reflected on the difference between the places I had stayed; from empty farmer’s fields (with permission!), friend’s gardens …
I woke up with wet feet and a damp quilt. Argh how annoying! I had been using my very tiny one-person tent in recent days, and although much lighter than my other one, it was so skimped on fabric that any touching of the sides of the coffin-shaped interior with my feet meant….damp. This was …
After weeks of solid hiking it was bliss to be able to take two and a half days off at home in Falmouth. I drank a cider or two, had lovely meals cooked for me and hot baths run. My achy bones had time to rest on a mattress and I was able to make …
I was so excited to hike into Polperro. What I hadn’t realised however, was the Herculean leg-burning effort it would entail to get there! I figured I was a pretty hardy hiker by this point, but the incessant ups and downs of this stretch of coastline were making mincemeat of me. No sooner had I …
