Walks 14,15,16,17 and 18

Maenporth

Walk 14

Falmouth Docks to Maenporth - 3 miles

I had work today first thing and I  then took the train to Falmouth Docks, I walked the 3 miles to Maenporth in horizontal driving rain and got very very wet which thankfully is the first time! Stayed at the Avalon B&B at the end of the beach(see Picture 7) it was by far the best accommodation on any of the walks (5 stars), breakfast was overlooking the beach with the sun shimmering off the sea....what more could you ask for?

Walk 15

Coverack in the distance

Maenporth to Coverack - 16miles

The day started off really well with blue skies all the way to Helford, I didn't have to wait to long for the ferry either..bonus! I walked onto Gillan Creek where it proceeded to pee down! though I did have a bit of luck at Gillan Creek, as there is no "official ferry crossing" I decided to stand on the river bank with my "little lost boy look" (works every time!) and a bloke shouts over to me "y'awlright" and I said "any chance of a lift across this here creek" no problem came the reply that'll cost you £2.50.......best £2.50 I've ever spent!!! it meant that I avoided a 3 mile hike down and then up river to cross at the bridge. Later on I had to walk thru a disused quarry at Rosenithan....it was really surreal I thought I was on the set of the Prisoner..........I'm not a prisoner I'm a free man!

Due to other disused quarries I had a fair bit of inland walking today and I got to thinking that I should change my blog to coastalwalkwithabitinland.com :) Arrived at the B&B at 3.15pm, had a choice of rooms(nice) and tea and bicis was served in the conservatory! (v.nice) During tea I got into a conversation with the landlady of the B&B re the lack of mobile phone reception and she suggested that as I was on Orange the best reception is in the "phone box" down the road!!!! sort of defeats the object of having a mobile really doesn't it

Finally, on Easter day the local people in Coverack go onto the beach to "build a cross" for Easter.........don't be naughty in "that" village if I were you :)

Walk 16

Coverack to Porthleven - 24 miles

Praa Sands

The longest walk in a single day so far.........................Started out at 8.30am it rained so much that at one point even my pants were wet! The conditions were treacherous under foot which caused me to slip over twice today. Walked via Lizard point ( picture 5)and its funny but you very rarely see anyone on these walks but 2 miles before and 2 miles after the Lizard the paths were heaving...loadsanumbties in trainers though!...can't believe people would want to be on the path in footwear like that! Picture 4 is of Porthleven beach which is 3.5miles of pure sand. it was a shame that the tide was in as I could of walked the whole length all the way into town. Stopped overnight at the Harbour Inn, very nice but too loud! Note to myself.....24miles is too much in one day! could hardly walk 20mins after getting up from lying down on the bed!!!!!

Porthleven

Walk 17

Porthleven to Mousehole - 16miles

At last a nice day....no rain and sunshine all the way! Walked across a lovely beach in the morning at Praa Sands (see picture 2) stopped for an ice cream and watched the surfers...hard life this walking! :) Walked via St Micheals Mount,(see picture 3) what a truly stunning piece of architecture! The walking today was very easy and it was the first night that I didn't need to wash my socks!! Accommodation is the Penzance YHA, first time in 20 years I have stopped in a YHA.....when I arrived I was impressed...Cafe, bar and restaurant how things have changed in 20 years....

Walk 18

Mousehole to Lands End - 14miles

Lands End Ahoy!

Lands End

Well what can I say....possibly the worst nights sleep for many a year! I now realise why I haven't been to a YHA for 20 years...having to share a "dorm" with 5 other blokes who proceeded to snore and fart the whole night through!!!!!! never again....when I handed my key back at the end of my stay the girl on the front desk checked I had paid etc and then said " OK Mr West you are free to go" didn't realise I was staying in Stalag 42!!! :(

The Walk to Lands End was very nice except...for the bloody rain! oh well got away without it for 1 day, the going was very easy underfoot and very very busy 2 miles out from Lands End.

The picture really speaks for itself..........its north from now on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Walk 12 & 13

Walk 12

Mevagissey to Portloe

12 miles

Set myself a bit of a challenge on this walk as I had to do my post round on the same day as this walk! talk about a glutton for punishment.... woke up at 5.30am, breakfast then a 25mile journey to work, preped my round and delivered by 9.10am, home at 9.45am, train to St Austell @ 11.16, bus to Mevagissey arrived 2pm walked 12.3miles arrived at B&B at 5.58pm ( my aim was to arrive at 6pm!) Weather was fine and calm, not too much mud this time but did see a shetland pony on the way ( he must have been a bit lost :) Picture is of Caerhays Castle Nr Portloe...picture is a bit dark due to the fact the light was fading a little by the time I took it!

Walk 13

Portloe to Falmouth

14 miles

After a wonderful nights sleep at the B&B in Portloe I was up and ready for the walk ahead, today was a little strange as I had to order a taxi for 2-2.30pm in advance to pick me up at Place! (see picture of the yellow house)

The walk itself was pretty easy with the added bonus of walking (at last!) across not one but three beaches which was a nice change from mud! (picture is of Pendover Beach) Weather was fine and calm again though a little chilly due to frost in the morning.

I arrived at Place just before 2pm and had to wait for my taxi to St Mawes, reason for the taxi is that the ferry does not start running until Easter :( Once at St Mawes it was then a wait for a ferry to Falmouth then a short walk to the train station and home talk about untilising public transport!!!!

Walk 9, 10 and 11

Freathy to Looe 12miles

The weather was fantastic 6 deg and very sunny, had a detour around the MOD firing range at the start of the walk...yes they were firing..thought I was in Iraq!. The going was easy untill Portwinkle then it was all up and down to Looe. Just before I hit Looe I had the misfortune of going thru Millendreath...well what can I say................DUMP, talk about "last one out switch the lights out" please! The B&B at Looe was great, a room with a view! Also a mention for the curryhouse in Looe called Moonlight, fantastic food.

Charlestown

Walk 10

Looe to Par

18miles

Nice and flat on the way out of Looe, weather fine again. Todays biggest problem was thirst (didn't take enough water! had to drink from a stream in the end which not suprisingly tasted better than tap water) and MUD talk about heavy going...there were places that it was that thick I expected to be passed by a Hippo!. I went thru some of Cornwalls finest fishing villages on the way Polruan, Fowey and Polperro to name but a few. Stopped in Par overnight at a lovely B&B who washed and dried my socks due to there muddy condition! Par itself is spoilt by an enormous factory that is perched on the edge of there massive beach, refused to take a picture of that monstrosity! .

Mevagissey

Walk 12

12miles

Par to Mevagissey

Walked past the enormous factory...Quickly! then it was on to Carlyon Bay over another golf course (5th one so far not been hit by a ball yet!) weather was fine, encountered the usual amount of mud and a suprisingly a lot of steps today..infact at one point the hill I had to climb had 171 steps, that I believe is a record for me in one go! I also went thru Charlestown where there are 3 Square Riggers in the harbour, these are regularly used on film sets and TV progs. Mevagissey was at the end of the walk and is the nicest of the ports I have been to so far, especially out of season!

Walk 8

Plymouth to Freathy

11 miles

Started from Plymouth with a ferry ride and the sign on the photo was there to greet me when I got across the water! Cornwall here I come :) Had to cut the walk short today due to the fact I had to take the doggy with me (see other photo) the going was very easy and the weather was cold but calm...I think the dog coped well as he has never walked more than 2 or 3 miles in one go...infact I dont think he was lagging behind at the end due to tiredness...I just think he was bored :)

Walk 6 and 7

Bigbury on Sea to Plymouth

27 miles

My first walk with a stopover.

First part of the walk was from Bigbury to Newton Ferrers (16miles). this included having to wade across the river Erme, so shoes and socks off and into the ICY water up to my thigh...current was a bit quick in the middle as well! Stopped over night in Newton Ferrers (see bottom photo) went to the pub in the evening and a BIG shout for the lovely people in the Dolphin Inn that made me welcome as soon as I walked in the door, thanks for the game of darts...double 2...my favorite! oh yea the food was great as well!

Second part of the walk was from Wembury to Plymouth (11 miles) thanks to Jill at the B&B for the lift round to Wembury this is due again to the fact that the ferry only runs in summer. I saw a few Exmoor ponies running wild. Second photo (top) is of Wembury church...aparently a very popular location for having your wedding!

Walk 5: Salcombe to Aveton Gifford

16.5 miles

Chucked it down with rain for the first 2 miles, then sunshine all the way. Easy/Medium walking, a few hills but the killer was the extra 4 miles you have to walk due to the fact that the Bigbury Ferry only runs during the high season! It took 4hrs and 40mins not bad for an old timer! :) Photo is of Burgh island, the white building is a hotel and the most expensive room is £600.00 per night...oooooooooooowwwch

Walk 4 : Torcross to Salcombe

14.5 miles

Nice and easy walk, got a little lost just outside Torcross and had to battle my way through some "undergrowth" to get back on course! Weather was calm and no snow! I had a pleasant walk to the Start Point lighthouse (see photo) but unfortuantley it was shut :(