Day 1

August 11, 2015

Depart The Lizard | Arrive Coverack

Distance: 16.7KM | Cumulative Distance: 16.7KM | Grade - Moderate/Strenuous

Ascent: 2,293 ft | Cumulative Ascent: 2,293 ft.

Cumulative Distance (both walks): 480.7 KM | Cumulative Ascent (both walks): 59,435 ft.

Before I start on today's blog I would just like to re-visit the splendid time that I think everyone enjoyed yesterday. Steve and I had another wonderful breakfast overlooking the sea, watching the rain fall from leaden skies. Little did we know what a spectacular day was in store. We left our most excellent B&B, Arlyn, in Coverack and drove round to the Bay Hotel to pick up Dale and Joan where a mini crisis was unfolding. Dale had lost his I-Phone and had literally taken the car apart, and finally gave up hope of finding it, as he was climbing in the back seat of our most excellent chauffeur, Steve's car, I looked over and noticed something underneath Dale's car, which turned out to be the missing phone. It is amazing how addicted we have become to technology, and how frustrating it is to lose it. I can certainly testify to having done so last year when I lost my phone during my flight over to the UK from Canada, which thankfully was a cheapie and nowhere near as expensive as Dales phone.

We arrived at Housel Bay Hotel where we were to meet Mark, Georgie and Nathan, and they duly arrived at about 10 past 11. Mark deserves a special pat on the back as he cycled 30 miles from Perranporth and did the same trip later in the day. Good for you Mark.

Rather than make this too wordy I will encapsulate yesterday before getting into today's adventure. Around noon the skies had cleared and the sun came out and we took the short 20 minute walk from the hotel to Lizard Point before wandering up to the village where stopped at The Pub for refreshments. From there we circled back to the hotel to retrieve the vehicles and then decided to drive over to St. Keverne to Roskilly's for a Cornish cream tea. The intent was to introduce Dale and Joan to the luxury that is a Cornish or Devon cream tea which was a huge hit. The diffence between the two is the Devon cream tea has the jam spread onto the scone first, followed by the cream, whereas the Cornish cream tea is the reverse.

After the cream teas were consumed, it was time to say farewell to Mark, Georgie and Nathan, and I was honoured that they had taken a day from their vacation to visit me. Thank you guys that meant a lot to me.

We returned home around 4-30 pm so our driver could have a nap! and agreed to meet up with Dale and Joan at the Lifeboat where they were introduced to Fish, Chips and Mushy Peas, which, like the custard and cream teas, were a huge hit!

All in all a great day, which I think was enjoyed by everyone, and I think we were helped immensely by the weather.

Last night I endured a rough night thanks to the jet lag, and I awoke at around 12-15 am and did not finally settle until about 2-10 am. During that time I decided to tackle my Blog again, which was causing me all kinds of grief earlier in the evening. I wanted to personally thank, individually, all those who had sent me well wishes, but when I went to type my e-mail address I ended up with 6 p's in my name, or another time the keyboard would stick, or the I-pad mini would just "run" itself. It was very frustrating!

As you can imagine I was a little groggy when I finally woke around 6-30, and so I decided to shoe and take a walk into town to see if I could find lunch, which proved a fruitless exercise, although it was nice to have town to myself for a few minutes.

We left at about 8-40am and drove to the Bay Hotel where Dale and Joan were ready and they followed us to the Housel Bay Hotel where the walk officially ended last year, and where it starts this year.

No sooner was I out of the car than Joan was calling for the obligatory photo shoot, and I was both surprised and delighted that Dale and Joan both had matching t shirts on which were identical to mine! What a very pleasant surprise. I sense Ms. Olafsen had a hand to play in this!

The weather was overcast to begin and so we started walking East at 9-30 am on the button. It was very pleasant walking and the plan was for Steve, Dale and Joan to walk with me for 1 hour before turning back. Steve had to be in Bristol for 4pm, and Dale and Joan were heading back to London for a day or two before flying to Santorini which I think they will both thoroughly enjoy.

Unfortunately after 30 minutes Steve's bum knee started to act up and so it was with a tinge of sadness that we said our goodbyes. I cannot thank Steve enough for agreeing to pick me up and driving me down to Minehead last year and to Coverack this year. He is such a good friend. Likewise I cannot thank Dale and Joan enough either, especially as they could have taken the easy way out and stayed at home. Dale has gone above and beyond what is expected of a President and I think he is going to do some amazing things for the organization.

It was 10 am and I was now back to being the Lone Ranger! The walking was spectacular and I soon arrived at Cadgwith Bay which a beautiful little village of thatched cottages. Unfortunately as quickly as I arrived I was leaving again and after climbing up and away from Cadgwith I was greeted by more spectacular views as I strode along the cliff tops. By 11-45 I arrived at Kennack Sands where I picked up a coffee and granola bar to compliment my banana and Penguin bar, which is a delicious Enlish chocolate biscuit. As I was only doing 10 miles I decided to skip lunch, but from tomorrow onwards I will be fully prepared.

After walking behind the. Beach at Kennack Sands I quickly climbed back up to the cliff tops where I had spectacular views overlooking Eastern Beach, Compass Cove, Spernic Cove, Lankidden Cove and Downas Cove, and it was around this point where the aShetland Ponies decided to "gang up" on me. They were really quite tame but I decided to step around them rather than try and go through them as I prefer to err on the side of caution. Shortly thereafter I entered a field of cattle, and there seemed to be a couple of rather large beasts one of whom looked distinctly like a bull, so with discretion being the part of valour I gave them a rather wide berth.

It really was glorious walking conditions, not too hot at around 18-20 degrees, with just the slightest of breezes, and if I were to get this weather for the next 3 weeks I would be very happy. I guess this part of England is still waiting for summer!

The last leg was particularly tricky, and I think it could have been more so if it had been raining, but I had made a promise to Liz to be careful and so I did so.

I finally rolled into Coverack at around 2-30pm, and the town was hopping with all the holiday makers enjoying themselves, and I strolled into my B&B 20 minutes later where my Landlady made me a most welcome cup of tea and also provided me with a chocolate chip biscuit (cookie).

Tomorrow I have a much longer day than today, and with a heavier pack, and so Walking People out of Poverty will become a lot more difficult task. However, the people we serve endure much greater hardships on a daily basis, and so that knowledge will galvanize me in my endeavours.

Now let's see if I can get some pictures posted!

Supposedly the best Fish and Chips in England, served with Mushy Peas of course, but Steve and I think we have had better. Having said that they were very good, and great value at Seven Pounds and Fifty Pence.

Sunset over Coverack on Monday evening.

This is the start of today's photos and it's looking back towards Lizard Point from the grounds of Housel Bay Hotel.

The trail and the many coves and bays I encountered today.

I thought this was the Devil's Frying Pan but it was a poor imitation as you will see shortly.

Looking back you will see the lifeboat station for Lizard Point, which is actually about 4 miles or so from its previous location.

The real Devil's Frying Pan as you will see from the way marker below.

Pretty English Cottage heading into Cadgwith.

Looking back down onto Cadgwith.

Neat bridge with rocks fastened to the posts.

The way ahead

The Gang!

W can only dream of rhododendrons this big in Calgary!