I had a lovely nights sleep and set off in the morning across country along the Minehead trail to Portreath. I had a fabulous pasty (proper chunks of lamb) and an orange Fanta for breakfast. This might have to become a tradition on my birthday. Today I am becoming even more venerable. I am 59. Probably too old for these types of shenanigans.
Pasty power fueled me up Lighthouse Hill and several sets of steps like the ones pictured above. At the time I thought these steps quite steep and tricky. I now know that they were baby steps unlike the monsters I would encounter in future days. I spent a lovely few hours walking, chatting to people I passed and more often people passing me. Learning lessons already I was sure to eat whenever the opportunity presented itself. A delicious raspberry and white chocolate doughnut added more miles to my legs at Porthtowan Beach.
The highlight of the day was walking around St Agnes head where I stopped for half an hour just to admire the view. Walking into StAgnes itself a local advised me not to climb the hill around the bay, but to go across the beach and clamber across the rocks as the tide was out. It always pays to talk to the locals.
Arriving at Perranporth I sat in the pub and had a very nice birthday phone call from Sophie, my eldest daughter. I then set off again walking along the sands several miles.
Reaching the end of the beach I came across the lovely pool where I sat and cooled my feet. At this point a surfer dude called Caleb arrived and invited me to join him and friends at their beach party. I pled decrepitude and walked the remaining 3 miles of so to my campsite, arriving at a reasonable hours for once.
Day summary
22miles walked. Weather still amazing. Feeling stronger. Pasties make all the difference.
Discover more from Henry’s very long walk
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