Day 1: Land’s End to Penzance.
Total distance: 16.5 miles
Elevation gain: 2,925 ft
Time walking: 10am to 7:30pm (inc breaks)
Today was a beautiful day! It started out a little dubious with heavy mist at Land’s End, but after donning the waterproofs and taking the obligatory signpost photos we set off for the first leg of my journey. Mum and Spence were joining me for the first five miles to Porthcurno, and it was easy walking high up on the cliff tops. The weather wasn’t ideal but it could have been a whole lot worse, and the mist most definitely gave it a mystical feel! (Groan, no pun intended!). We met a lovely Swiss couple walking in the same direction and I ended up bumping into them again at several points during the day – just two of the great people I got chatting to on the path!
After the steep steps down past the Minnack theatre to Porthcurno beach I decided it was time for a paddle – the sun had come out and it was turning into a lovely day, and the water just looked so inviting! I don’t know what it is about Cornwall but the sea is a stunning azure blue (when the sun shines at least) and there were many points in the day when I was seriously hot and sticky that I was very tempted to have a swim! Mind you, the water was pretty cold when I paddled, so maybe just as well I didn’t go the whole hog…!
I said goodbye to Mum and Spence at Porthcurno to do the next leg to Mousehole where I’d meet them again. They were very clever, after Porthcurno the path was a true coastal path – up and down for several miles, then a bit of scrambling coming in and out of the gorgeous little port of Lamorna, where I was able to top up my water and get chatting to some more lovely people – including my new Swiss friends! We seemed to be having a bit of a race, they ended up getting to Mousehole before me (and bumped into Mum and Spence, letting them know I was only a little way behind them), but they decided to get the bus back from Mousehole to Penzance so I won on distance 😉
Despite the ups and downs being tiring, and the day turning out rather hot (I’m already developing some interesting tan lines!) the views were stunning. I loved dropping down to the secluded coves which were only accessible by foot or by boat, and apart from a few friendly hikers I barely saw anybody! Lots of birds and bumblebees, I watched a kestrel hovering into the wind and tried to out-stare an owl. Just as well I gave in first, as I have a feeling it might actually have been made out of wood…!
Mousehole was a welcome, and pretty, sight as my feet and hips were starting to feel the distance, and I very much enjoyed my glass of coke! We got chatting to a lovely couple at the next table, Sally and Kev, who gave me some sponsorship which really touched me. I think it’s wonderful that it’s only day one and I’ve already met so many beautiful people!
Mum and Spence joined me for the last three miles back to Penzance as it was supposed to be a straightforward stroll. Clearly we missed a signpost at some point because we ended up scrambling over rocks and up an overgrown embankment at one point (yes, in hindsight we probably should just have turned and retraced our steps, but hey, then we wouldn’t have a rock-scrambling story to tell and no walk with me is ever completely mishap free…!) but we made it back to Penzance in time for a delicious dinner at the Luggan Inn – I cooked steak on a volcanic stone. Yum!
All in all a really good start to my adventure! I’m tired now, but have a shorter day tomorrow, albeit a heavier one as I’m back to a full pack tomorrow! Think I’ll sleep well tonight…! St. Ives here I come!
