Day 13

August 21^st Depart Padstow

Arrive Newquay (Harbour) | Accommodation: St. Bernards Guesthouse

Distance 24.7 KM | Cumulative Distance: 283.83 KM | Grade – Easy/Moderate

Ascent 4,281 FT | Cumulative Ascent: 40,964 FT

Google Map Newquay

Awoke at 6 and decided to roll over for 5 more minutes, and before I could blink it was 6-30 am. I had a restless sleep as I was in another single bed and the duvet is the same width as the bed, so when I roll over in the night I have to adjust the duvet. Very frustrating.

Today was the biggest of the entire 3 week walk and so I wanted to be out early, and was able to get away by 7-50 am. Michael, my Landlord, passed me at the bottom of the road, on his moped, on the way to work, as he is literally 2 minutes from his job via transport.

On my way through Padstow I stopped and got a number of photographs, something I couldn't accomplish yesterday because of the masses! I was also trying to figure out if it was going to rain or not, but decided to risk it and ditched both my rain jacket and pack cover and just wore my tee shirt. You tend to get pretty warm very quickly!

By 8-05 am, I was able to stow the camera and start to roll. I was piecing together two half day walks, one from Padstow to Trevone, which is 5.7 miles, an the other from Trevone to Porthcothan, a distance of 7.9 miles, and then full day leg from Porthcothan to Newquay which is 11 miles.

The path led up a small, steady climb past a war memorial to Padstow' s war dead and out into the country. After a while I took a slight detour to Stepper Point The two hours walking were very enjoyable, although a little breezy, and normally these hours tend to be pretty loney with no one around. This morning was the exception, as there must have been a dozen runners or more pass me by, never to be seen again. However there was one women who was the exception, as about an hour later I saw her coming back. I asked if there was a race pending, and she advised she was training for the Great Northen Run, which I believe occurs up in the North East, and was started many years ago by Brendan Foster who was a GB Olympian from years ago, when I was living in England. This is his way of giving back to his community.

On my way to Trevone I noticed numerous signs urging caution, and not to enter fields along side the path, as there was a conservation move on to try and save The Corn Bunting and Meadowlark, two species of birds that are on the endangered list. I do hope they are successful, and I believe they will be, as I saw several of each bird during the day.

In Trevone I stopped to pick up a coffee and a chocolate bar, which I planned to eat later. Today I did not have a packed lunch with me, as the book I'm using advised there were several places along the way to pick up lunch. This turned out to be a fallacy, and from here on in I will have a packed lunch in my bag before I goon the path.

A short while after leaving Trevone I was approached by a man asking if I had seen a little red dog, to which I replied I hadn't. The poor fellow looked crestfallen and my heart went out to him. This reminded me of a number of signs I had seen 4-5 days ago, and which I continued to see for two full days, about someone advising their missing pet. I do hope the chap finds his pet, and soon.

From Trevone I had to cross the beach for 300 yards before climbing back up onto the path. This path passes inland of Padstow's lifeboat station (see pictures below), and leads out Trevose ahead which is accessed by passing a lighthouse. On the way though I walked right by the lifeboat station and it's a beautiful facility. This is the same station that my Landlord in Padstow volunteer's for. Looking back I could make out the radar stations that I had passed on the day I walked from Hartland Quay to Bude 4-5 days ago. I'm constantly amazed by how far one can see when the weather is clear. Speaking of weather, the sun had broken out finally and the winds had died down as well, but for how long is the question?

Coming down off the top I passed a collapsed hole, but did not get too close as I figure discretion is the better part of valor! I now descended to Booby Bay which is partly rocky, and a little further on I came to Constantine Bay which consisted of beautiful sand. Some of the beaches are so pretty and the only way you can tell you are not in an exotic location is the air temperature !! I actually had to cross Constantine Beach and shortly after I had to cross yet another beach.

From here on into Porthcothan the walking was spectacular and some of the bays and coves have to be seen to be believed.

It was now time to march on to Newquay but there was a major problem coming up that I was not aware of. My book tells me the path leaves past the little shop which meant getting onto the road, and it was almost impossible to keep an eye out for the path with all the traffic. After about an hour I came to a caravan park and so took a turn and followed the path that eventually spilled me out by the trail I needed. I crossed a little stream, climbed the hill to the top and then collapsed in a heap for a well deserved drink and my chocolate bar that I purchased earlier in the day when I had my coffee. After 10 minutes it was time to push on and now I was now on the top and the path was easy to follow. Just 10 more miles I said to myself!

Some of the scenery was spectacular, but the wind was howling and so I had to stash my hat for fear of it flying into oblivion. I finally arrived at Porthcothan Beach and my feet were asking if they could have a rest, so I found a coffee shop, ordered a latte and a flapjack (no, not a pancake), it's a power packed protein bar which I needed for energy. The coffee shop owner told me it should take me about 2 more hours to get to Newquay and so after fortifying myself I left at 4-05 pm. Newquay or bust!!

There was a big climb to get back on top, but I was able to do it and I pushed on and eventually found myself in Newquay around 6-15. I found time to do my stretches and then set off to find my B&B and arrived at 6-30 pm.

Can you believe it? I could not get in. This is the 2nd day running. What gives ? There was a sign on the door saying ring this number... ... What happens if one doesn't have a phone? So I sat on the doorstep, took off my boots and waited. Eventually two young girls came by, and one if them had a phone, and kindly called the number. 10 minutes later the exasperated landlady came by all apologetic. Still I made it, and in truth it was another exhilarating day,

Huge day coming up tomorrow, as I'm finally going to be re-united with Liz and see my sister as well. Can't wait.

Now for some pictures.