Day 1 - Minehead, Porlock

~ 17 miles / Sunny
Quite an eventful day, all things considered. After having another chat with Andrew at the YHA about the SWCP and specifically my options for today, I felt well prepared. Three hours later, I had completed the first day according to the 8 week guide book. Arriving at lunch time in Porlock allowed me to hide from the midday sun in The Ship Inn, eating prawn cocktail and drinking amber ales. Doesn't exactly sound like the hard life yet. The end of the day and the following day changes that!

I bumped into two ladies at England's smallest church, so I was informed, in a tiny settlement called Culbone. I sat in the church for a couple of minutes, and although I'm not a particularly religious person, there was a real sense of calm and tranquility inside. Light filtering in through the little windows and the distant sound of water in the stream added to the effect. Annie and .... (is it Jean? Sorry, my phone crashed after I wrote this post the first time ) took an interest in my story and I've decide I need business cards with  my blog/JustGiving details on so that I don't have a repeat of the embarrassing moment when a teabag is the only thing I have to write on. Teabag signed, I headed off wondering why my complaining knee hadn't gone away unlike the ankle and hips, which briefly had a tantrum and then got on with the job in hand.

The niggling pain in my left knee was getting worse on downhill sections. After stopping for supper in a combe with a stream, my knee tightened up and the final few miles of the day were pretty painful. Hopefully a good night sleep would sort it. Despite the perfect location, flat grassy area sheltered by bushes, clear skies, sleeping with the fly off under the stars, my knee began to complain pretty soon into the new day.

Final Preparation

It is the week before I leave and the weather has seriously improved!

I've been on a walk down to Langness in the sunshine and mowed the grass in the field. All on this probably amounts to 10 miles, incidently these are the only miles that my new boots have traveled for their breaking in, but I'm fairly confident it will be fine. It's my 5th pair of Berghaus Explorer Trek boots and being non-leather, they are pretty forgiving.

A had a lovely surprise as I went to go to the airport. Dad (who is the inspiration for the walk) was standing at the door chatting to a neighbour having been released from his appointment slightly early - fantastic!

A quick trip down to the Isle of Wight for the weekend for a wedding and then I start walking on Wednesday. My pack is ready and just missing fuel and water at this point. It does feel a little odd sitting in an airport wearing walking boots, shorts, a polo shirt and suit jacket...