It rained all night, but everything is nice and dry, including my socks. I solved my drying dilemma by putting them in my sleeping bag overnight, the only warm place in the tent. The Gannel estuary can be crossed by […]

The early morning air is heavy with moisture, so everything is slightly damp. I want to reduce the amount of spare clothing I carry, and tried washing my clothes in the shower yesterday morning, drying them during the day on

It is early and the field is heavy with dew, which means packing a wet tent, increasing the weight. Leaving the site, another camper kindly offers hot water for breakfast. Does he really mean just water or does it come

My new routine is to hike for five days, and then spend nine days at home, to reduce the increasing travel time and cost. The plan is to reach Padstow by Sunday. I have a lot of ground to cover

My plan was to get up very early, creating enough contingency time to navigate the “severe” 14 miles to St Ives, and catch the 4pm train home. There is only one small problem. I forgot that sunrise is getting later,

I crawl out of my tent, still half-asleep, to be immediately quizzed by a tiny, golden-haired sprite, on my plans for the day. Her mother duly appears, to spare me a prolonged interrogation. She is wearing a long Afghan coat.

This week’s plan is to hike from Penzance to St Ives over three days of increasing difficulty. The final day is rated “severe” by the SWCP association. Although my new Keen Targhee II boots seem perfect for my wide feet,

Porthleven is sleeping off a collective hangover, given how busy the pubs were last night. I pass a memorial for mariners drowned on this part of the coast, commemorating the passing of the Grylls’ Act of 1808, since when bodies

The electronic fog horn at Lizard Lighthouse, repeating every 30 seconds, failed to wake me during the night. I had the strangest dream that Dave Grohl was playing an acoustic version of “Times Like These” at the campsite. I wish.

Other hikers recommended the Fat Apples cooked breakfast, but a positive Covid test has locked them down, so no hot food until Coverack, which is about five miles along the coast. Another energy bar for breakfast then. Yum. It appears