Total: 146+ / Daily:19m / Overcast, Sunny, Spots of Rain / 1 Seal
Having slept incredibly well, I lay dozing until 7 when I packed up and sat for a few minutes with WiFi connection outside the cottage. I had a photo from Emma with a notice board about her bake sale in aid of my fundraising and confirmation that the mini business cards would be in Padstow tomorrow, fantastic! There's some extra incentive to complete the highish distances needed today and tomorrow. The little things eh?
On a similar theme, today I did some mental maths! If I were able to reach £10 per mile, that sponsorship translates into £6.25 per kilometer and 0.625p per metre. If I get to a low moment, there's a good reason to take another step!
I saw a seal this morning as the path neared a cliff. It obviously saw me too and it vanished. I hoped it would become comfortable with my shadow and return. Sure enough, the seal reappeared and bobbed around for a while. It was diving, then emerging further along and swimming back against the current then diving again. The tide was coming in and the bay was curved, meaning that the water swirled around and the seal seemed to be playing in the currents. I sat and watched for about 5 minute, it was most entertaining!
There was a good number of other people walking today and the guide says it is a popular day walk route. This included 4 women who looked about 21 and were all dressed in flat shoes, handbags and short skirts. All a bit bizarre for a 'severe' section of the coastal path but one said they lived nearby, they seemed utterly bemused by the thought of walking alone and I sympathise with them, it is a little different!
Tintagel Castle ...or rather Tintagel Ruins were .. unimpressive actually. Granted, I don't know the history and the coastal 'wow factor' was lost on me, but it is still impressive to build a castle on the foundation of jagged rocks. .. Perhaps that's why it's not there anymore! I looked for the photo opportunity of 'Tintagel Castle and Pier' but couldn't see it.
Set back into the cliff and completely hidden from the road is Tintagel YHA, an old quarrying lodge from when this area was heavily mined for slate. I enquired about weather and distances, with no intention of staying (if I did, the total for tomorrow would stand at 21+miles to get the cards from Padstow on top of a 'severe' rating in the guide) and found common ground with the hostel manager in distance walking. After a long conversation (and a cup of tea from Jarka) the rain had moved across the bay and was coming towards us.
Changeover day at the hostel is tomorrow and I was kindly offered food which was spare. Two beef burgers with blue cheese, chips and a cream tea? Chef Macnair will walk 21+ miles tomorrow thank you very much!
Many thanks to Jarka who paid my membership as sponsorship for Prostate Cancer UK, your kindness is much appreciated.
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