Today’s distance walked – approx 21.2 kms (13.2 miles).
Ascent – approx 661m (2169 ft).
It was a very windy night on my little clifftop position. The tent was flapping wildly and I had to stretagically place my kit to stop the inner fly flapping into my head every 3 seconds. I woke up a lot, but felt refreshed enough when I got up at 5.40am. I was surprised to find that the tent was wet on the inner and outer fly – it must have been chilly last night. I poked my head out and there was a thick blanket of fog to the West – which explained all the moisture.
I left at 7am and walked through the military firing range (no shooting this weekend) and passed the impressive Tregantle Fort. This part of the trail covers Whitsand Bay, and beneath the cliffs is the appropriately named Long Sands beach. There were a few little settlements dotted along this part of the coast, but none big enough to warrant a public toilet, so (tip for SWCP readers) I went into the Whitsand Bay caravan park to use theirs.
Soon enough I was up at Rame Head, a headland with wonderful views.
I dropped my pack, went up to the little chapel at the end and chatted with one of the locals up there. I made my way down and on to Penlee Point. From here there are wonderful views across the Plymouth Sound. I headed towards Cawsand and Kingsand.
The trail was mostly woodland, and it was nice to be out of the hot sun! There were plenty of horseflies here though, and I got bitten a couple of times, despite having used repellent today. I lost the trail a couple of times too, and had to backtrack a little here and there.
I reached Mount Edgcumbe Country Park and wished I had more time to look around it, especially when I got to The Orangery and garden, which was really pretty. I got to the Cremyll ferry at 1pm, and boarded for the short journey across to Plymouth’s Stonehouse area. I followed the trail around to Millbay then headed up into the city.
The rest of by day was spent off trail, and I caught the train into Bodmin Parkway to meet up wth Mike and enjoy the rest of the day off 🙂
