After a week of hiking with the family in the Lake District, mountains are replaced by beaches, as I pass Carlyon Bay, teeming with sun-seekers.
It is not far to charming Charlestown harbour, one of many Poldark filming locations. I picture Demelza sweeping across the docks.
Unfortunately the path is closed beyond the port, due to unstable cliffs, so I am forced to detour inland. It is only a mile of road walking before returning to a lovely stretch of gently undulating hills.
Mevagissey has a thriving fishing industry and is the second biggest fishing port in Cornwall. Due to my travelling down to Cornwall this morning, and subsequent midday start on the path, it is already early evening, so I don’t linger for long in the harbour.
I was hoping to camp next to the private beach at Chapel Point, the suitably moody location featured in the Daphne du Maurier novel, The House on the Strand, but there are still too many people around, despite the late hour.
Wind and rain are forecast, so I find a sheltered spot on the downward slope behind Carn Rocks, less than a mile before Gorran Haven. I settle down with Wild, by Cheryl Strayed. It is her account of solo walking the Pacific Crest Trail, spanning 2,650 miles of mountains from Mexico to Canada. She writes beautifully. Funny, moving, and inspirational. Hugely recommended. I worry about ticks while she deals with bears and rattlesnakes. I clearly need some perspective.
Walk distance: 14 miles.
Total distance: 630 miles.
More great pics Tony. Are ticks a real or perceived problem? Maybe they don’t like the cold this far North!
Enjoying following your progress.
They are very real, based on feedback I get from other hikers. A few round Britain walkers I follow have caught Lyme disease. Particularly bad when it comes to the less maintained trails (or the complete absence of trails) around some sections in Scotland.