Day 20 - Dowry, Polruan, Polperro, Looe

Monday 5th August
Total: 391+m  / Daily: 18m  / Rain / Composer

It rained all morning. I met a couple walking the opposite direction who were also thinking of doing the 6 mile section I was heading towards but said 'not in the rain'. Cliff and Karen, thank you for your support, and yes, it was rather muddy/slippery in the rain. My poles helped a lot!

Polperro is a lovely little harbour town with tiny thin streets and has a rabbit warren feel about the place. My boots hadn't dried from yesterday and the rain slowly seeped its way into left boot, it began squelching. The heritage museum had lots of spare newspapers which I stuffed into both boots and wrung my socks. I think I'll order up my spare boots from base camp, perhaps sent to Salcombe for the Blitzkrieg assault I have planned on the last 10 days.

Spent two hours in a cafe (£100 per week!) wondering if the rain would stop. It didn't.

I composed my own set of lyrics to a song today. The original is by The Tallest Man on Earth, called Love Is All . Haven't got the guts to post the new lyrics to the world just yet.

Not a thrilling entry, but it rained a lot.

Oh, and the end came off the duct tape pole, wearing down the plastic now.

Day 19 - Gorran Haven, Mevagissey, Charlestown, Par

Sunday 4th August 

Total: 372+m / Daily: 18m / Rain / Requesting an Undulator

An undulator is an escalator which undulates. I needed one of these today as energy levels were a little low following the late nights and the repeated up and down was hard going. The undulator would be free of charge and provided by Cornwall County Council to encourage visitors to experience the stunning coastline it has to offer, specifically those who are unable to walk the path. The Undulator would be a world first and would move at a steady 3mph and be wide enough for two people, allowing users the option of standing or walking. There would be special platforms every 15 minutes which are covered are have hydraulic arms to keep the platform level. This could be used to set up a sleeping pad + bag, meaning that no time is wasted sleeping, based on 8 hours sleep a night, that's 24 miles! As you see from the amount of thought I put into it, I didn't appreciate the undulating coastline today.

It rained a fair amount today. Forecast has it clearing towards the end of the week and I managed to keep dry under waterproofs. Left foot did become a little damp which is worrying as there are no apparent holes in my boot, failed goretex? I'll see what happens tomorrow but my view or waterproof boots might be changing. I think I'm going to try something which isn't waterproof but does dry quickly in the future, that would also remove the need for overtrousers (if it's warm enough).

Yesterday was the first successful day that I didn't spend anything on 'non essentials'. I celebrated that success today with a full cooked breakfast and cream tea. Whoops! I'm funding the walk myself to enable all donations to go to Prostate Cancer in full and I've given myself the figure of approx. £100 per week to spend. This will cover food/ferry/cleaning but will certainly not stretch if I continue with the coffee and cake intake!

Cakes so far: coffee, coffee & walnut, lemon drizzle, date slice, chocolate, cream tea, apple and cider, millionaire shortbread, victoria sponge.

Slept in a wood on Gribbon Head just down from the Daymark tower. It was very windy and the trees provided welcome shelter.