Day 5

August 15, 2015

Depart Mevagissy | Arrive Fowey, Accommodation: Safe Harbour Inn, Fowey

Distance: 28.1KM | Cumulative Distance: 123.0KM | Grade - Strenuous/Easy/Moderate

Ascent: 3,566 ft | Cumulative Ascent: 10,374 ft.

Cumulative Distance (both walks): 587.0 KM | Cumulative Ascent (both walks): 72,079 ft.

GREAT DAY!

Woke at 5-30 but managed to doze off and the next time I looked at m watch it was 7am, which meant it was time to get up as although breakfast wasn't for another 90 minutes I had things to do. First job was to shower and get dressed and then it was time to re-pack my bag so that as soon as I had breakfast I could get rolling. I hate late starts and with breakfast not until 8-30 this meant I wouldn't get away until 9.

There was a fellow sitting at the next table, during breakfast, and he was telling me that there was a race on that started in the general direction of Mevagissy and was a total of 64 miles. The contestants were going to be running to St. Anthony's Head and back, and this was where I got off the ferry on the day of the pouring ran. I gather they were going to run the SW Coast Path, and you have to be in great shape for a race like this because of all of the elevation gains and losses. My hats off to all competitors and I do hope everyone makes it through safely. There was a bonus, as the race was taking place on the best day of walking I've had thus far. Sun shining brightly, blue sky and big fluffy clouds going idly on their way.

The good thing about today's start was not having to go down the big hill to the wharf to find the trail head, as it went right past the front door of my B&B which by the way gets a 4 star. Very clean, great hosts but just misses the standard set by my Coverack and Portscatho hosts.

After a little over an hours walking I arrived at Pentewan which has a large caravan site, and camping facilities, and already the holiday makers were lining up, towing their caravans and looking for a prime site. The further I walked the longer the queue grew, and shortly after I turned right to follow the coast path signs. It was here that I encountered a young woman who was supposed to run in the race today, but she injured herself 3 months ago and as still experiencing pain in her hamstring especially as we climbed the big hill together. The lady told me she was acting as a volunteer for the racers and at her station she stopped while I carried on. I then met a man who had th greatest VW Touring Van that I had seen. These vehicles were prevalent in the 60's and 70's and I'm surprised VW haven't brought them back, as they are perfect for camper touring. The fellow had a logo of a global map on the side and he had decals all around the van of the myriad countries he's visited in Europe. It was very neat. The chap is hoping to head over to Australia at the end of next year and drive to Perth before heading to New Zealand. The one thing about this trip is you meet lots of interesting people.

In the B&B that I had recently left were 2 couples from Washington, DC and they were heading to Charlestown which was my destination for lunch. The walking was glorious, mainly due to the weather, but the downside was the endless climbs I was encountering. The steps show no quit, and it was a constant grind going up and down. The plus side is I feel like I'm getting stronger, although once or twice I was slowed right down.

Shortly after climbing out of Porthrean I met a lovely family with 3 teenage daughters and they were handing from Par to Mevagissy, but they saw the message on my shirt and wanted to know more as they had just been discussing social/charitable causes earlier that day and so I was more than happy to tell them all about Opportunity International. I even took my pack apart to find them a flyer that would enlighten them further to what O.i. Is all about. I believe I got their family name which was Whatea (sp), and they were going to look for my blog, so if you are reading this, and I got it wrong, please let me know.

I arrived into Charlestown, shortly after meeting the aforementioned family, and this is a town that my good friend Norm Lippitt would have a strong interest in, as it was a major centre in the production of China clay.

Norm collects pottery, and I have told him he needs to get over to England as he would have more than his fill of pottery related places to visit. I tried to get some pictures for Norm so we will have to see if they turned out.

Whilst in Charlestown I decided to treat myself, and so stopped for a coffee and a sandwich which consisted of smoke salmon and cream cheese on granary bread. Both the sandwich and coffee were delicious, and I felt refreshed for the afternoon ahead. It was shortly after 1-15 when I left and the path led alongside a The Carlyon Bay Hotel Golf Course, and I thought what a perfect day for a round of golf. While alongside the golf course I was stopped by two women walking a dog, and like the Whatea family they too encountered about the charity, and so back into my bag I went to find them a flyer. At the way I'm giving them out they will be gone in a week!

Unfortunately I was so transfixed with the course I completely missed my turn and only discovered my error 10 minutes later when heading over a bridge above the train line. I quickly retraced my steps and fond my turn which still took me down the side of the golf course, and eventually led to a path that ran right around the old clay workings. Unfortunately there were no decent photo opportunities. The path eventually brought me around the back of the clay works and I now found myself on Par Sounds and the trail led along the back of the beach to steps that led up to the cliff path that led to Polkerris. The walking in the afternoon, for the most part was excellent, and the walk was really a tale of two halves. The morning was a lot of long climbs and I believe the total elevation gain was around 2500 feet, whereas the afternoon was pretty easy going, except for the last 3-4 miles when I would have had added another 1000 feet or so in elevation.

Polkerris was a really pretty little hamlet, the type of place you would miss if you blinked, but I could not stop, as much as I wanted to, as I was on a mission. I saw a signpost that said Fowey, pronounced Foy, 4 1/2 miles, and I set of up, yes you guessed it, a hill that took me up through the trees and out into the fields that lead to Gribbin Head. This type of walking is very pleasant and I had soon reached the red and white candy striped Daymark Tower which stands 84 feet high. It was visible from before I reached Mevagissy and now I had "bagged it". I dropped down the hill to Polridmouth which a a beautiful house overlooking a duck pond. It was very pretty. I was now very close to Fowey, my destination, and after a short stroll through the woods I reached the outskirts of town, and would you know it, I had another hill to climb to reach it.

One thing I will say is this, if this hike were to end tomorrow I would have earned every penny of the money that was donated, and I cannot thank you all for your support. You truly are my heroes.

Speaking of heroes I really must thank my physio Carolyn Hiles, and the folks at the Downtown Sports Clinics for getting me ready for this walk. I really have not had any issues, apart from a couple of minor twinges which went away almost as quickly as they came.

Beautiful morning in Mevagissy.

The stairs leading up to the trail ahead.

One of the many coves.

Looking back at Meva

The view down! Not as dangerous as it looks ! I stood well back and just extended my arms out and pressed the click button! It's probably 2-300 down.

Where I'm headed.

The caravan park at Pentewan. I never did find out about the pyramid in the background.

Here's another shot of the pyramid.

The above picture was inserted in error.

One of the numerous waymarkers. Pity they disappeared during this afternoons walk!

It's real, trust me.

More steps. 169 going down, and 89 heading up making a grand total of 258!

Schooners at Charlestown.

The China Clay works at Charlestown, and more below.

Sorry Norm, that's all I managed to get. One didn't turn out and I remember now having problems when I could not see the screen because of the sun's glare.

Beach at Par Sands.

A distant shot of the Clay Works,

A beautiful summer day!

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