Total miles: 11.8
Elevation gain: 926 ft
Time walking: 10:30am – 3:30pm
Miles walked to date: 99.6
Whoop, nearly 100 miles completed! It feels like I’m actually making a little bit of progress on the mighty map!
Today was a fairly straightforward day as for the majority of it I was following the Camel Trail, an old railway line that runs down from Padstow to Bodmin, then up to Camelford (I think). It’s easy walking, although the first bit I walked (Grogley Halt to near Bodmin) wasn’t particularly interesting other than the old station platforms and an in-use bit of railway where a steam train runs into Bodmin. Sadly I wasn’t there at the same time as the steam train, but I did have a nice chat to the train guard who said I must be bl***y bonkers…! There was a nice-looking tea shop that I’m now wishing I’d stopped at for a cream tea – I didn’t because I’d only been walking for an hour, but there wasn’t anything else until I got to Blisland, a little village near where I’m staying tonight. The benefit of hindsight!
It was nice to have an easy introduction to the second week of walking as my bag is now heavier again following a supply drop! I need to make sure I actually eat the food I’ve been brought, I’m not getting through it as quickly as I thought which probably means I’m not eating enough calories… Another benefit of walking along a nice cycle trail is all the friendly cyclists! Lots called out to wish me luck, and one lovely couple, on passing me for the third time, stopped to chat and ask about the charities I’m supporting, and they gave me £10! People are so lovely!
The second part of the Camel Trail was slightly narrower (but still easy for cyclists) and more interesting. It ran through pretty woods and along lovely sections of the River Camel. I stopped and ate lunch by the river and it was very peaceful, but it soon got a little chilly so I decided to push on.
The last few miles were all uphill, first along little roads then out onto the foothills of Bodmin Moor. Now we’re talking! I love the moors. I’ve never been to Bodmin Moor before so it’s a section I’m really excited about, but sadly it looks like the weather is not going to be kind tomorrow and I may have to skirt the edge of the moor rather than head over it. I am very grateful for all the good weather I’ve had to date and the good weather that is supposed to be ahead, but I do wish the one day of rain forecasted wouldn’t be the day I want to cross the moor! Ah well, que sera, sera!
From where I was walking I could see across to some of the high tors of the moor and they look so inviting! Desolate and bleak – perfect! I’m sure I’ll have plenty of desolate and bleak later on in this trip – Offa’s Dyke, the Pennine Way and parts of Scotland will deliver there – but it’s exciting to see it here as somehow it makes this trip feel more real. I feel like I’ve had it easy so far!
I soon reach the sign for South Penquite Farm where I am staying tonight, and it’s a beautiful spot. It is a lovely campsite here, it somehow combines having everything you need with still having an air of wildness about it. I have a feeling I’ll come back here!
Tent goes up like a dream (love this tent!) and the stove comes out for its first proper use of the trip. Some of the farm animals come to say hello – so far I’ve had visits from a flock of turkeys, a cat, two hens and a sheep dog!
Dinner was a freeze-dried pasta bolognaise and it tasted DIVINE! Food always tastes better when cooked and eaten outdoors, especially after a good hike!
It keeps spitting with rain so I’ve taken shelter inside my tent and it’s quite cosy. A family came past earlier and invited me for marshmallows later which is very tempting, if I’m still awake! I want to make an early start tomorrow to put the tent down before the rain arrives, so it’s probably an early night too! It’s evenings like this where I wish I’d brought a book. I have audiobooks but they aren’t quite the same. Maybe my next supply drop will need to include a book!
Well if you’re reading this before Tuesday please pray for a dry day for me tomorrow, otherwise tomorrow’s blog might be slightly soggier reading… 😉
Lots of love xx
