Day 3

August 13, 2015

Depart Maenporth | Arrive Portscatho

Distance: 18.8KM | Cumulative Distance: 63.4KM | Grade - Moderate/Easy

Ascent: - 0 ft | Cumulative Ascent: 2,293 ft.

Cumulative Distance (both walks): 527.4 KM | Cumulative Ascent (both walks): 63,998 ft.

THE DAY FROM HELL!!

Things to remember

Aarghhh!!!

HM Coastguard

Reynard the Fox

The first of my aargh moments occurred at 3-45 am when I was awoken by a guest, whose room was further down the hall from mine, snoring his head off. It was like he was in my bathroom!! As I'm such a light sleeper it was going to be difficult for me to get back to sleep and so I went to the bathroom where I discovered it was raining outside. I was hoping this was not a portend of things to come!

I climbed back into bed and rolled around for a while and eventually fell asleep, (at who knows what time), and was then awoken a 2nd time, only this was permanent even though sleep was beckoning me. I decided I would get up and so made a coffee and grabbed my I-pad Mini to catch up on emails and also check the latest news on BBC Footballs website.

By 7-30a I was almost ready to roll with most of my packing complete, and this could not be achieved until after breakfast which was not until 8 o'clock. My breakfast usually consists of fruit, followed by muesli or granola, and finally I have brown toast, covered in scrambled eggs topped off with baked beans. I find this gives me great energy for the day ahead.

Due to the rain that came down last night I decided to put my long gaiters on as they tend to keep my feet drier than the shorter ones. Little did I know what lay ahead.

My 2nd Aarghhh moment came when I realized that the directions I received from the hotel were totally wrong, as although it got me to the hotel in good time, it meant I had to back track and I lost over an hors time. My third aargh moment came 90 minutes later when the SW Coast Path took me right past the gate that led into the grounds of the Meudon Hotel, which was were I encountered the Peacock's from the day before, and whose names I know remember, Arthur and Martha!

It was right around this time that the rain started to come down, and little did I know that it would never end! Needless to say this has put a cramp on my ability to take photo's and so although I got a few shots there is nowhere the amount if it had been a sunny day, which is a crying shame really as there was some spectacular scenery.

By about 11-15 I had reached Falmouth and decided I deserved a treat and so stopped at the cafe that was situated right on the beach, where I ordered the obligatory flat white coffee, and decided I needed a flapjack (energy bar), for a boost. I don't normally spend a lot of time on this kind of activity but felt this was a day where I needed to look after myself.

After a most welcome break I was back on the move and the path led me to Pendennis Head and this is were the trail got interesting. I was diverted into a woods that runs alongside the road and ended on a beach I walked or a couple of minutes and had his déjà vu moment, thinking this is eerily similar to yesterday when I ended up scrambling, and so I turned around, retraced my steps, and soon found the right path. I was heading for the docks area where I had to get a ferry to St. Mawes followed by another to place. By now the rain was really coming down and the term "drowned rat" sprang to mind.

Before I go any further I forgot to tell you about HM Coastguard, who I encountered yesterday. As I was getting close to Gillan Creek, I could hear a fellow shutting rather loudly on the other side of the bushes, and shortly after I had a clear view of what was causing all of his angst! He was calling tothe 2 Coastguard fellows who were now approaching him on the small shingle beach, and then I caught site of what was concerning the guy. Somehow he had managed to beach his boat, and it was caught up on the rocks tilted at a crazy angle. I'm not sure what he was expecting the Coastguard to do, and it looked to me like he would have to wait for the tide to return before his problem would be solved.

Now back to today.

I was now in the main downtown part of Falmouth and on a sunny day it would have been great to wander around, but this was not that day and by now it was raining heavier than at ant time today. I eventually found the first of the two ferries and the total cost was 9 pounds. Ouch!! Still it was the only way to go as there were no options. I went downstairs and took off my Goretex and I was soaked right through. The problem I now faced was the cold, and I'm thankful that the weather was reasonably warm, but the body cools quickly when it's wet. Thankfully the ride was only 20 minutes long, followed by another 10 minute trip to Place.

I now had 6 miles to reach Portscatho and this was my opportunity to start moving to get warmed up. I was heading to St. Anthony's Head and thankful for a couple of uphill sections to get the blood flowing. On my way to the ferry I has stopped toick up a chocolate bar, and now was the perfect time for a treat to lift my spirits. It was right about now that I recall a conversation with Liz last year about mental toughness, and in this kind of situation the only thing you can do is accept your environment and get on with it, as there really are no other alternatives. As mentioned previously it was a crying shame that the weather was so poor, because under better conditions I would have got some great photos for you. The sea, close to shore, was turquoise which makes me wonder what it would have looked like under clear skies.

For the most part, especially after the first few minutes, there was a nice thick hedgerow separating the path from the sea, and I felt very safe as I have excellent boots, although by now they were full of water. It certainly was a wild and wooly day although at no time did I feel in any danger.

I finally reached Portscatho and now it was time to try and remember how to access my B&B at Trewithian Farm, and although I had directions in my back-pack I was not about to stop and find it, I asked directions and was soon on my way, and as always is the case it's the last mile that is the toughest. A gentleman in Portscatho had given me directions and halfway up the road he reappeared, this time in his car, and told me he had provided the wrong instructions, and that I should turn left up the road and then right. I thanked him and told him I appreciated his kindness, and then it was head down for the final push.

I ended up taking off my boots, gaiters and socks, which, when I wrung them out were full of warm water! My boots must have had a gallon of water in them and hopefully they will dry overnight.

I want to end by saying although today was easily the wettest day since I undertook this walk last year, I was happy to embrace it because of what we are trying to achieve in Walking People out of Poverty. My sacrifice is nothing when compared with those we serve in 3rd World Countries and it was these thoughts as well as your kindness in getting behind this venture that energized me today. THANK YOU all.