I have Internet! I have Internet, I have Internet, I have Internet!

Thoughtment the first – I hadn’t realised how much I rely on mobile and Internet access until it disappeared off and on for weeks. Sobering – I clearly need a digital detox… Although I tell myself it’s ok for fund-raising efforts, as that is indeed the point of this venture… Dear reader take note, and if you’re reading this and/or enjoying the FB pics but haven’t yet made a contribution please go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BrionyReed and bung a little on! Any contributions of any size will be gratefully received… And of course many thanks again to those who have already done so.

Crashing on to thoughtment the second… Walking on my own has been an eye-opener. I discovered in four days on my own that perhaps I am not as anti-social and curmudgeonly as I thought (if anyone begs to differ you can let me know about that some other time!). I have recently encountered the TV detective (www.thetvdetective.com) on a ferry from Falmouth in the rain (of course), and an impressive lady from Colorado taking a tribute trip to visit her late husband’s family’s place of origin. Given that in London it’s assumed you’re a loon if you look at anyone you don’t know, never mind actually *speak* to them (heaven forbid!) I’d have missed out on both positive chats there. Bit of a culture shock for me, but a good thing.

Thoughtment the third. If, as the South West Coast Path Association website tells me, I have now walked 217.4 miles and climbed a total of 38,586 ft (11,761 metres in new money, just for good measure), then WHY HAVE I NOT GOT SMALLER?!?!?!?! That’s more than the height of Everest; surely I can’t have eaten enough cooked breakfasts and Roskilly’s to counteract that? Can I? The mind boggles.

And now I have less than 15 miles to Plymouth. I will clearly have to walk them extremely fast indeed to make up for all the scoffing.

Thanks now go to Natalie and Dean for accompanying me for my latest walk instalments, and to the about-to-arrive Louise and Rachael… I have been seen safely through the delights of Mevagissey and the rather fabulous fish and chips in the Fountain Inn, the “impossibly picturesque” Polperro and, one of the best things ever, a statue of Nelson the seal, “ambassador for his species”, in Looe harbour. Which also got the prize for first lady ferry pilot of the trip, who was very sensibly wearing wellies (nope, not Hunters!) and not drinking tea.

On that note, I must prepare myself for the aforementioned arrival of R and L, who will be coming along for the final fling into Plymouth. At least, until I return from London (with clean clothes!) to tackle the fearsome north-east patch of coast…

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BrionyReed (just in case it didn’t get spotted earlier!)

Character of the day: Sidney the sociable bullock.

All content copyright Briony Reed and A Cornish Adventure, 2013. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Briony Reed and A Cornish Adventure with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

I have seen some delightful variations in the conditions in the last 24 hours, I can tell you. Was thoroughly soggified on arrival at the rather imposing Trewithian Farm B and B last night (which scores major brownie points for having a parrot in the hallway – and yes it did manage to con me it was a person – waited til I was out of sight and then said “hello”. You can guess what happened next…). Clothes and shoes promptly dispatched to dry out over the Aga, I decided a hot shower and an indulgent dinner at The Rosevine were in order.

And I can report on an excellent dinner, with The Rosevine putting in a very strong contender for the chocolate-mousse-of-the-year award (these things are important) – a wonderful blob of mousse with salted caramel and a stick of shortbread. Quite something (so good it deserves a paragraph of its own).

Anyway, the walking! Despite the best attempts of the weather the journey from Falmouth was wonderful – a highly entertaining (in a good way) couple of ferry trips from Falmouth to St Mawes and from St Mawes to Place and a very pretty walk onwards. It was enchanting in near-constant rain; must be staggeringly lovely in sunshine (see pic and imagine in technicolour…). Definitely one to revisit.

Other recent discoveries are the seriously chocolate-boxy Church Cove on the Lizard, how photogenic cow parsley can be (at least, I think so…), the rather lovely Trebah Garden with a cove all of its own, the seriously homely and comfy Gold Martin B and B in Mawnan Smith, and Pendennis castle – where in fact one of the most exciting sights was a bird of prey (no, I don’t know which one) hovering for a long time over the sea and then right by the castle, only to be chased off by a protective crow. It sounds less thrilling than it was to watch but it was a seriously impressive creature. Not sure it’s a display the castle can provide on demand, admittedly, but great to see nonetheless.

In other musings, what is it with Cornish ferrymen and cups of tea / bare feet? Seventy-five percent (I’ve been working at the EIU too long, clearly) of those I have encountered so far have had one or the other, if not both. Ok so the total number is only four, but still. The tea I can understand – the feet, less so…

On that note, I shall start preparing myself for my walk ahead to Portloe. I have been woken early by the cows (mooing, not turning up to wake me!), who make a rather good alarm clock. I think I shall have some blustery wind to contend with, but no doubt will weigh myself down with plenty of unnecessary stuff in my backpack! Fingers crossed the sun comes out again later…

All content copyright Briony Reed and A Cornish Adventure, 2013. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Briony Reed and A Cornish Adventure with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Things I have learned since my last post:

1. The value of washing machines. Hand washing can only get you so far; I was almost as excited at the sight of a launderette the other other day as I have been at each sighting of a Roskilly’s ice cream vendor.

2. The value of cars. (Not really. More the value of not using them.)

3. If you find the coast path occupied by several cows and a bull, do not attempt to circumvent them by walking (I use the term “walking” loosely) through a gorse field. You can’t walk normally through gorse, and it will go through your trousers and leave red blots all over you. And you’ll be stuck where you are if the bovine ones do take exception to you (thankfully in this case they had higher priorities than daft humans stuck in gorse bushes).

All of this information will obviously be stonkingly useful in London.

Beyond these gems, I’ve had many highlights in the last week or two… The fabulous Tinner’s Arms in Zennor provided us with very comfy beds and delicious grub part way through the relatively wild and woolly but glorious path round the Western end of Blighty on our way from St Ives; as did the Old Coastguard in Mousehole once Western intrepidatiousness had been completed. Land’s End provided some glorious tat shopping opportunities and the chance of a cheesy photo with The Sign (a tenner, but it has to be done); Penzance brought the parky but brilliant Jubilee Pool (see pic; no problem once you’re in and are numb anyway). Plus trundling over to St Michael’s Mount and it’s been a whole world of new experience…!

And of course the coast itself remains as stunning as ever in the sunshine – gorgeous little coves between Marazion and Porthleven, and everything from craggy headlands to tranquil wooded passages on the path. And cows. And ponies. I prefer the ponies.

AND I have officially surpassed the 100-mile mark (by some way now), and obviously am feeling inordinately pleased with myself about it. (!) Legs still in situ.

And last but not least, thank you so much to those who have already joined me on the walk – to M, Debbie, Stu, Ruth, Fiona, Alison and Rachel – thank you very much for the support, and I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have. And to those yet to arrive – look forward to seeing you!

On that note, I must go to kip in the lovely Boak House B&B in Coverack – well worth a mention as anywhere where the welcome involves a G&T and three friendly woofers is more than ok in my book – in preparation for my 7am start and 13 miles tomorrow. Wish me luck!

All content copyright Briony Reed and A Cornish Adventure, 2013. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Briony Reed and A Cornish Adventure with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.