Reflection by Sally-Jane Coode

Looking back over the past three weeks the overall feeling is of a fantastic experience, and enjoyed in the company of Bryan. Our friends all the way round the county made our journey possible, and it could not have been accomplished without their kindness and hospitality. The generosity of strangers too was humbling, as they filled Bryan’s Merlin collecting tin. Several parts of the Cornish coast were not familiar to us, and seeing it all in wonderful sunshine was a real privilege, and made us very grateful that we lived in such a beautiful place. There were a few times when one more set of steps seemed insurmountable, but they were rare, and there was never any doubt that we would complete the journey. From the start we aimed to raise £10K for the Merlin Project, and it is looking as though we will exceed this figure – so a big thank you to all who helped contribute to a really worthwhile cause and for making the whole experience a truly memorable one.

Bryan Coode Reflection Time

After writing the first few blogs, Sally-Jane took over, so any personal comments over such things as ‘jelly legs’ expressed in the first person should not necessarily be attributed to us both!

Several of the clergy in the Grampound cluster of parishes were kind enough to promise to pray for good weather during our walk. It was a magnificent achievement to achieve only two hours of rain in 20 days, but at first disappointing that the 21st and last day was so awful. However, on reflection it served to highlight how privileged we had been and a reminder to remain grateful. One reflection in the abundant time available was what it might have been like for other travellers such as pilgrims, as in Pilgrims Progress. My collecting box became heavier in proportion to our success in filling it; it may be analogous to success and material growth bringing with it a kind of burden of responsibility and anxiety. Walking for so long was therapeutic in a way because of being removed from the clutter of daily life. Also to maintain application of covering miles, it was helpful to not to think about walking too long – or perhaps not to think at all! This seemed to lead to mental atrophy which could prove to be either a permanent condition or alternatively perhaps a new invigoration. Time will tell! It was memorable and beautiful, but there were times when it seemed like ‘another boring day in paradise!’ Sally-Jane deserves particular praise for her doggedness and character in doing so well.

A marathon every other day and climbing the height of Everest was how many people described the coastal walk. Also probably 90% of our steps had to be carefully placed. We have a huge sense of personal relief that injury did not prevent us from completing the course, but more importantly gratitude at being able to contribute to the much needed funds for the Merlin Project.

March For Merlin Day Twenty-One

Day 21 28 September Freathy to Cremyll

Had a very comfortable night and a delicious breakfast after which Mary dropped us back at Freathy. The drizzle started as we left Antony so decided to put on our waterproofs. As we approached Rame Head the visibility dropped to about 50 yards and we couldn't even see the sea below us - and the rain, not forecast until tomorrow, started to fall in earnest. We were sosaked and felt that if the rest of the walk had been like this we were much less likely to have got this far. It was miserable. We certainly saw no fellow walkers!
We reached Cawsand, a very attractive village, after a couple of hours where Simon and Sarah Young met us. Simon walked on with us through Mount Edgcombe, a lovely mostly flat walk through the woods, with the rain easing off and the visibility improving as we went. Finally we reached our goal - the Cremyll Ferry. It felt strangely flat. Sarah had driven round to meet us with a delicious picnic which we ate, trying to dry off a bit, in the car as we drove to the Ruckers near Altarnun, where we had left our car twenty one days earlier.

The A30 was blocked by a crashed car - our hearts sank - but it happened only a few cars in front of us and the police had not had time to close the road. Got home to a terrific welcome from our dogs and a lovely bundle of goodies from the team at Merlin - flowers, wine and Radox for the bath which was put to instant use! It was good to be home, having achieved our dual aims - collecting much needed money for Merlin and walking the Cornish coastal path.

March for Merlin Day Twenty

Day 20 27th September Polperro to Freathy

Slept like a log. Bryan went to buy a newspaper at 8.00 am and managed to persuade a charming east European hotel receptionist to let us use her computer to send the past three day's blog to Merlin, which I duly did in the reception area at the Claremont Hotel (with all the guests saying good morning to me on their way to breakfast!). Due to the collapse of the cliff in Polperro we had to walk up a long precipitous hill to rejoin the coastal path en route to Looe. Quite hard work with steep climbs. Got the ferry to cross to East Looe to save us walking further inland to the lovely bridge - bought a sandwich and set off on what our book said was an easy walk. It wasn't. The climbs were made that much harder by the absence of our sticks and the fact we were carrying more than usual on our backs, and probably we were a bit tired. Sat on the wall by the beach in Seaton and ate our picnic. The day was very hot and sticky, no wind and the sea mirror calm once again. The coast, the beaches and the houses were not that attractive despite the enchantingly named Port Wrinkle. Walked alongside Whitsand Bay golf course and behind the firing range and onto the NT car park near Freathy where we were met by Richard Carew Pole at 5.15pm. He and Mary showed us around their magical garden in the evening sunshine before a lovely hot bath and a thoroughly enjoyable dinner. Retired to bed in a grand panelled bedroom with enormous portraits on the panelled walls, one of which was of Ann Coode of Morval!

Miles for day 16 Cummulative 250 Height 1600'
Only 10 miles to go!

Tired Feet!

Today is the last day of Sally-Jane and Bryan Coode's March For Merlin. I hope everyone has enjoyed their humourous, as well as highly expressive blog entries as much as we have enjoyed uploading them. I am sure there will be at least one more entry covering the final steps of their journey. But for now we just want to say a huge huge thank you for doing this for the Merlin Project and look forward to seeing you at the centre soon to hear everything x

March For Merlin Day Nineteen

Day 19 Sunday 26th Sept Polkerris to Polperro

Left Kilmarth at 9.00 am and enroute to the beach through the woods Bryan managed to give his shin a nastly graze - messy but it didn't seem to hold him back! The sky was yet again clear and blue, very little wind and a flat calm sea. The path took us around the Gribbin across Polridmouth Beach and into Fowey, where we dropped into see Peter Voelcker for a cooling drink before crossing on the ferry to Polruan. We luckily found a little tea room open, and had some sandwiches made for our picnic. The walk from there to Polperro was beautiful along the cliff top with a wide variety of wild flowers still out. It was however very testing in that there were a series of very steep ascents and descents - my legs felt like jelly by the time we reached Polperro. Realised that I had left my makeup and my shoes by mistake in the bag we had purposely left at Nutty's for me to collect after the walk. We were now carrying everything on our backs that we would need for the next two and a half day. Amazing on a Sunday loads of shops were open - bought makeup and found a pair of shoes for £10 which the owner of the shop put straignt into Byran's Merlin tin. (Not sure I could appear bare foot for dinner at Antony!) We have been amazed at the kindness and generosity of the people we have met in the past three weeks. Since we started walking we have collected £890 - and alot of people are aware of the Merlin Project that weren't before. Booked in with B&B - pretty tired. En route to a telephone box, as no signal on our phones, bumped into Clare Fortescue who did the same walk last year for Help for Heroes.

Miles 10 Cumulative 234 Height 1800'.

March For Merlin Day Eighteen

Day 18 Saturday 25th Sept Gorran Haven to Polkerris

Valentia drove us to Gorran Haven after giving us an excellent breakfast, but on arriving realised we had left our sticks behind - annoying but liveable with. Once again lovely warm sun, light northerly wind and a little more cloud than yesterday. Rounded Chapel Point and into Mevagissey where we missed the Coast Path sign and walked on the road for a mile or so before rejoining the path at Pentewan. The hard work then started and the path was very steep until Porthpean, where we dropped into Charlotte Petherick for a lovely cup of tea. The cliff path was closed due to danger of subsidance so had to walk again on the road to Charlestown. The little harbour had three large square rigged sailing boats in plus a couple of smaller boats - an very impressive sight. Once past charlestown for the next two or three miles the path was very boring - alongside Carlyon Bay golf course, above the rusting hulk of the old Coliseum and the halted development of The Beach and the grim looking Par Docks. Avoiding the road we walked through an area above Par Beach which was full of rather smart looking mobile homes, until we reached the coastal path sign towards Polkerris. Walked over the fields to Nutty Lim's house - sadly she is away but Maureen looked after us beautifully in her absence.

15 miles for day, 225 cumulative. Height 1200'.

March For Merlin Day Seventeen

Friday 24th Sept Day 17

Had a lovely evening with Jane Scott who dropped us in Port Scatho at 9.00 am Quite a hard and hilly walk around Gerrans Bayvia Nare Head and then towards Portholland. We picnicked sitting in the grass overlooking Veryan Bay; blue blue water sparkling in the sun, the northerly wind meaning the sea was mirror calm. The expected showers somehow avoided us although we saw the rain sweeping past us over the sea. We were struck how autumnal it seemed walking through fallen leaves in the various woods we went through. Past Caerhays Castle and up to the Dodman, where we sat in the sunshine, made some phone calls as we had a rare signal and had a welcome Mars Bar to keep us going for the last leg to Gorran Haven. Jane collected us and took us to Valentia Grant Dalton at Place, where we had alovely evening with her, and the Keelers who dropped in for a drink. Legs felt very tired and heavy!
. We'd been wondering for some time how many gates and stiles we had been through and so today we counted them - the amazinng total of 56! Climbing over stiles and opening and closing gates certainly slows our average speed.


13 miles for day 210 cummulative, and estimated height 1900 ft

March For Merlin Day Sixteen

Day 16 23rd September Helford Passage to Portscatho

Took hours to get to sleep last night as my legs ached so much after the road walking yesterday. Rodney kindly dropped us at Helford Passage at 9.00 am - on familiar territory for us after lots of family holidays. We walked through the lovely Ilex woods under Mawnan Smith Church and on to Rosemullion Head, Maenporth, Swanpool and Falmouth. Having crossed by water many times between the Helford and the Fal it was lovely to experience the same journey by land. After the torrential rain during the night, the day was hot and humid, and sunny with scudding clouds. We were met on the jetty near the National Maritime Museum by Andrew and Veryan Pool in their wonderful 1930s 'Captain Pugwash' type boat with a rust coloured mizen sail. We chugged over to the Place Quay, drinking Pimms as we went, and just got near enough to disembark before the tide was too low. Just after we rejoined the coastal path it started to rain so we went into the lovely Church behind the house, and ate our picnics. We set off again in sunshine but very soon we had a heavy shower, and our waterproofs got another airing - very rare so far. It only lasted 45 minutes and the sun came out again. We rounded St Anthony's Head, passed the lighthouse on an easy path, and the Roseland Peninsula looked absolutely beautiful. We arrived at Port Scatho at 4.30 where Jane Scott kindly met us.


11 miles for the day 198 cummulative and estimated height for day 800.

March For Merlin Day Fifteen

Day 15 22nd September Cdgwith to Helford Passage

After what can only be described as a night of pure luxury with Richard and Sue Nathan at Bonython we set out for Cadgwith, a pretty fishing cove full of thatched cottages at 9.15 am and headed toward Coverack. Climbed up seven valleys en route above rocky coves. Weather warm but overcast with a slight breeze and tghankfully still dry, walking as fast as we could as we knew the ferry across the Helford River stopped at 5.00 pm. We made good time and stopped for a quick picnic at 1.15 at a picnic table strategically placed just short of the quarry at Lowland Point. We walked throught the quarry,obviously not currently in operation, following the footpath signs and at the bottom of it they run out. We headed inland, up and up and having finally reached the top did not know where we were! We walked in the direction we thought was right and found ourselves in St Keverne. Because of our time limitations we saw a sign for Manaccan 5 miles and decided to head for it - just short of the Helford. We walked for nearly 3 1/2 hours on tarmac (zombit walking with mind in neutral) and made the ferry with minutes to spare. Had a long drink of water and a cream tea at the Ferry Boat Inn from where Rodney Myers collected us.

Height 1800 ft miles 17 for day come 191 miles. Only 6 days left!

March For Merlin Day Fourteen

Day 14 Tuesday 21st September Gunwalloe to Cadgwith

Had an excellent evening with Mike and Chrissie. We were dropped at Gunwaloe at 9.30and sat off for the Lizard in steamy hot weather - again. We have been so incredibly lucky with the weather. The path was quite up and down but none of it difficult. Passed the Marconie Memorial at Poldhu, Mullion Cove, trying to recognise the spot where William Casley painted the picture we have, and on to Kynance Cove. The walking was wonderful on grassy downland and we stopped for our picnic among the rocks high above the beach below. It was hard to imagine a more idyllic place - and in glorious sunshine. From there we rounded the Lizard lighthouse, filled our water bottles at England's southernmost restuarant, and watched some seals for a while and then headed for Cadgwith. We negotiated some steep climbs and descents and arrived at 5.00 pm. While we waited for Sue Nathan to pick us up had a delicious Kelly's ice cream and wrote postcards.

Heights climbed 1700 ft.

March For Merlin Day Thirteen

Day 13 Monday 20th September Perranuthnoe to Gunwalloe

Gilbert drove us to Perranuthnoe where we met up with Chrissie to transfer the luggage not wanted during the day. Beautiful cliff top walking in glorious sunshine - passed Prussia Cove where we heard the musicians practising - over the long stretches of Praa Sands towards Porthleven where we had lunch at the Smokehouse - at least I did, as Bryan ate the crab sandwich he bought yesterday!


The afternoon was easy walking and pretty flat - along Loe Bar to Gunwalloe which we got to by 4.00 pm and sat outside the Hazelphron Inn in the sunshine reading the newspaper until we were picked up by Chrissie. Had lovely dinner with Mike and Chrissie Harvey and were very well looked after.

12 miles for the day, come 154 miles and height 400 ft.

March For Merlin Day Twelve

Day 12 Sunday 19th September Boskenna to Perranuthnoe

After a wonderful night's sleep we left Boskenna at 9.00 am and walked through their lovely garden and the first woods we'd walked through to the coaSTAL LPATH AND SET OFF ON A VERY UNEVEN PATH FIOR Mousehole and by the time we got there I was feeling very weary. We met up by chance, when Bryan was extracting money for merlin on the coastal path, with some friends of the McCabes who persuaded us to join them for lunch at No 2 - small world. Felt alot better after that. Walked through Newlyn and Penzance with lots to look at on the water, and on to Marazion where we indulged in an excellent cream tea. McCabes collected us from Perranthnoe and we had a lovely evening with them at boskenna.

March For Merlin Day Eleven

Day 11 18th September Cape Cornwall to Boskenna

Elizabeth kindly dropped us for Cape Cornwall where we set off fast under clear blue skies and little wind. Beautiful rocky coast with shoals of pilchards visible from the cliff top in a completely calm sea. Arrived at Sennen Cove two hours later where there were a few surfers and miles of sandy beach. We met up with Phil Shannon and Jack his son at the Beach Restaurant where they gave us a much needed long drink plus fantastic crab rolls for our later lunch. We stayed to watch Phil and two of his sons launch the Sennen Lifeboat on a training run - hope the photos come out. Walked on around Land's End with the inevitable photocall under the distance sign, which was a big psychological moment - we were heading east for the first time. The countryside was moorland - the cliff tops littered with enormous boulders often balancing on top of each other, and far below little sandy coves with a turquoise sea. What a treat to see it in such glorious eather. The path was very steep in places and very uneven, and by about 3.30 the body was flagging. Stopped to refuel with a Kelly's ice cream! Passed the Minnack theatre and Porthcurno and on to Penberth, where by chance John and Frances Banham were on the beach with their grandchildren. We arrived at Boskenna, where Helen McCabe had kindly come down to the coastal path to meet us. Had a very welcomed hot bath, put some much needed washing on, and Gilbert handed us a lovely glass of white wine. They were all going out to a Prussia Cove concert and left supper for us to eat in front of the TV - the first we have seen for a long time! Counted £465 so far collected in the merlin tin! Early night.

14 miles for the day

cummulative 134 miles.

Estimated height today 1800 ft.

March For Merlin Day Ten

17th September Gurnards Head to Cape Cornwall

Jeremy Faull joined us after an excellent breakfast at the hotel under darkening skies. It started to rain and we put on our waterproofs as we watched a tornado approaching over the water below. This lasted for one hour. Sadly we walked too fast for Jeremy who insisted we walked on, which made us feel guilty for the rest of the day. We heard in the evening that he had got to Morvah safe and sound - relief. The scenery was stunning. Had lovely GH sarnies near the Pendeen lighthouse with a view of the Geevor mine with a view of four other engine houses and chimneys, which we then walked through. Amazing to think that 170 years ago there would have been thousands of men working there with chimneys all smoking, and thousands of donkeys delivering coal. Now all abandoned. Arrived in the car park at Cape Cornwall at 4.45 as arranged, feeling very fit and well, but failed to find Elizabeth Bolitho for an hour, who had arrived there at the same time! She looked after us beautifully. Early night.

Miles for day 10 miles, cummulative 120 miles.

Estimated height 1200 ft.

March For Merlin Day Nine

16th September Lelant to Gurnards Head

After a very comfortable night with the Burgess family, we set off west at 9.00 am through Lelant Churchyard towards St Ives.Bought a pasty and roll and replenished our store of Mars bars, and headed for the cliffs. Wild country but the cliffs were much lower than we had experienced earlier but the path in places was very uneven and difficult as it was a case of clambering over huge granite boulders. The weather was wonderful yet again, very sunny with a light breeze - a real treat. Ate our picnic leaning against a rock overlooking the Carrack rocks - bliss. We passed various groups going alot slower than us - at times it was hard to keep up with Bryan who was leaping from rock to rock like a mountain goat. Came off the path a little too early looking for the Gurnards Head Hotel, which we found with releief at 3.30. Had a sleep before an excellent dinner - with the Merlin tin prominent on the bar.

(Collected £121 in donations).

Distance only 12 miles relecting the going and height climbed est. 1200 ft.

Accumulated distance 11 miles - B's pedometer has packed up. 11 miles - cummulative 112 miles.

Estimated height 1200 ft.

Cream Tea Welcome for Sally-Jane and Bryan

The Ferryboat Inn in Helford will be holding a cream tea welcome party on the 22nd September in aid of Sally-Jane and Bryan's arrival. The FerryBoat Inn will be serving cream teas all day in aid of the Merlin Project.

If you are near to the Ferry Boat in why not pop in and enjoy a scrummy cream tea and if you are there in the afternoon then you will also get a chance to well wish the intrepid Merlin Marchers!

March For Merlin Day Eight

Day 8~15th September Portreath to Lelant

Set off at 9.00 am with Ian and Hugh in an overcast but dry day, with a gusty wind in our faces, but much less strong than yesterday. Lovely cliff walking to the sheer cliffs of Hell's Mouth where we had a brief pit stop before setting of to Godrevy, where the lighthouse had been visib le for many miles.We stood a watched a large family of seals play below us onn a little beach before having lunch at the NT restaurant in the sunshine, where the Dobles left us. We walked through the village of Gwithian, where I showed Bryan the enchanting thatched Methodist Chapel where John Wesley preached. from then on we walked on roads, through Hayle where we think we got marginally lost as understandably there were no 'Coastal Path/ signs. As we had been enjoying the sublime atmosphere of the cliff path it was rather traumatic to be thrust in the midst of traffic! We were not able to walk along the beach as the tide was too high. Arrived with Steve and Melanie Burgess in a wonderful lquiet spot near Lelant Church.Height today 1200 ft (yesterday 1300ft) - miles 17, Bryan's pedometer 130 miles.

March For Merlin Day Seven

DAY 7 ~ 14th September: Perranporth to Portreath

The day dawned very grey and after a delicious breakfast chez Doble we were dropped in Perranporth with them, and set off in the teeth of a gale force wind - gusing 10. The path was often very close to the 250 ft cliff edge and it was quite frightening as there was only gorse and heather scrub on a 45 degree slope between us and the roaring seas below. We learned a lot about the local area from the Dobles, who walked with us until Chapel Porth, where we had a short break out of the wind. We had a delicious lunch at the Blue Bar in Porthtowan which we spun out for an hour, before setting off once again into the gale. The landscape was littered with mine shafts abd became increasingly bleak with the ghosts of miners lost, and walked along mile of MOD fencing. Up and down two steep valleys and arrived at Portreath where Jenny picked us up and returned to St Agnes where the hot bath was more than welcome. Miles for the day 12, cumulative 87.5 - pedometer reading 113 miles

March For Merlin Day Six

Day 6~13th September: Watergate Bay to Perranporth

Grey and overcast until the afternoon with a small shower on leaving Newquay which was ended by our putting on waterproofs. A stong headwind kept us cool. Walked through Newquay which was unrewarding after the natural beauty of the coastal path. Crossed by ferry to Crantock where the ferryman did not charge and even donated. Crossed the sand and came to Pentire Point West arriving at Holywell Bay, where we lunched under the rocks at the end of a wonderful beach. Walked around Penhale Camp before walking the three miles along the beach at Perranporth, where we met up with Jenny Doble's cousin and friend at the Watering Hole before leaving for her home. Map mileage 14 miles for the day and 75 in total - pedometer reading 99 miles. Estimated height was 1600ft over five valleys

March For Merlin Day Five

DAY 5 ~ 12th September: Trevone to Watergate Bay

Another champagne day of sunshine. Going listed as 'easy' and so it was. The popular resort beaches of Harlyn Bay,Mother Ivey's Bay,Booby's Bay,Constantine, Treyarnon flashed by as did our friends house at the Cellars, Polventor and Trevose House for seven miles until Porthcothan,where Nessie Wilkins supplied us with an excellent picnic,when the going was 'moderate' and some steep climbs started again for the next seven miles(14 miles for the day) and we extended our walk to Watergate Bay, a few miles ahead of our origianal schedule. S-J's painful knee continued and we bought a knee brace at the St Merryn Corner Shop. The pedomenter reads 84 miles,reflecting the shorter steps of going up and down the hills. The map distance is 62 miles. the cliffs were 4-500 ft high and the total for the day was about 1600ft.

Bryan has collected a total of £125.00 in his Merlin tin in the last three days

March For Merlin Day Four

DAY 4 ~ 11th September: Port Issac to Polzeath
Another sunny day although heavy rain overnight had left mud and puddles. The cliffs to Port Quin and a little beyond were slightly lower than the previous day but had a series of stepped sharp valleys which took a bit of a toll. The going then became easy. Were joined by Robert Stancliffe at Trevan Point and the Gordon-Clarks who kindly gave us pasties and soft drinks in their small coastal cottage.Epphaven Cove was charming. The going around Pentire Point was attractive but not difficult. Saw Gus and Judy Anson at Polzeath who gave us water and a delicious chocolate bun. Later Robert persuaded the loaded ferry to wait on the beach for us(it was low tide). Most of the passengers contributed generously to Merlin after persuasion first by Robert(who returned home after the ferry left) and us!. Collection box is now heavy and causing a swinging momentum to the back of the pack-will have to connvert to a cheque. Because of the relatively easy going we decided to press on past Padstow around StepperPoint to Trevone Bay where our kind hostess for the next two nights-Liz Kennerley collected us and took us to her house at Trevose. our days's milage on the map was close to 20 miles(perdometer total 69 miles)Estimated climbs for the day 900ft. Nearly 9 hours including stops. Both of us tried from the extra distances S-J in particular is having trouble with her left knee on downward slopes.

March For Merlin Day Three

DAY 3 10th September: Boscastle to Port Isaac

Normal start at 9.00am. Gently climbed onto the top of the cliffs which generally were lower than the previous two days at a few hundred feet and was able to keep up a steady pace for 8 miles. Weather overcast and windy but firm going underfoot. Later in the day there were a few light showers. Averaged 2 m.p.h for the 8 miles, which was ok, bearing in mind the endless kissing gates, meandering tracks, chats about Merlin to some fellow walkers and some breaks for viewing and rest. Some sharp valleys totalling about 600 feet in total past Trebarwith Strand and Tintagel. The last 5 miles (Straight on the map) changed from 'moderate' to 'severe' in places and there were about another 5 stepped sharp climps, some of them large with the cliffs increasing to 500 feet or more.
Vertiginous views over vertical drops. We were joined at Tregardock Beach by the Ruckers (our hospitable hosts for the night before our start) and we had a strenuous and amusing time , ending at 'The Edge' pub near the car park at Port Isaac. While having a drink the customers were pursuaded to donate £41 with other promises to contribute to the website and most generously the landlord offered to donate to Merlin the pubs 'takings' for the night. Our kind and hospitable hosts for Thursday and Friday nights - The Sherrards - (Simon is the Merlin Project's Chairman) and Sara collected us at 6.00pm. A total of 16.3 miles on the pedometer for the day and 50 miles in total so far and an estimated 1,500 feet in climbs (Overall 6,400 feet in total)

March For Merlin Day Two

DAY 2 ~ 9th September: Millook to Boscastle

The start through woodland and fields was easy going and gently rising, but this gave way to the usual steep valleys of which there were 4 of up to 400 feet or so, before Crackington Haven. Weather again perfect as on day one - So far we are blessed but of course the odds are against us long term. From CH to Boscastle the scale of cliffs increased over day one and there was one 700 foot valley! Again about 8 sharp valleys overall, making 2,500 feet, but it may well have been more. A stretch at the start and just before Boscastle was a sublimely easy walk overlooking the sea and at one stage we saw a dozen seals playing in a bay (at 'Seal Hole') which from the 1000 foot height were difficult to pick out, but they seemed to be having good fun. Boscastle was looking pristine after its reconstruction. At the latter stage when we could pause more than the previous day, received two more donations in to the collection box which is now starting to rattle at every step!

Pedometer reading 15.9 miles (13 miles on the guide) or
32.9 in total,

estimated total height climbed 4,900 feet.

8 hours walking for the day - Not nearly as bad as day 1!

March For Merlin Day One

DAY 1 ~ 8th September: Morwenstow to Millook

A fine sunny day with a cooling breeze, dry underfoot - Ideal! A series of stiff climbs split up into 8 gullies which were very testing, mainly because of our carrying our full packs (we must try to arrange for most of the excess weight to be transported in future). There were at least 8 steep valleys of between 200-400 feet, which at an average of say 300 makes 2,400 feet in total. The distance on the coastal guide was 13 miles, but the pedometer showed 17.8 miles which reflecting the short steps necessary for climbing many of the hills which were well built steps. In parts they varied from 9" to 14" in height, but more consistently the steps were at 9" and much easier. Time take was 9 hours. Sally-Jane was running on fumes at the end and perhaps needs to drink more liquids and tonics. When not going up and down the steps the going was easy as it was particularly between the Satellite Listening Station, before and after Bude - We must say thank you to Rick Perry who owns a beach cafe who gave us free water and made a paper donation to Merlin. Cliffs and sea shore was ferociously unforgiving for the first 5 miles - which then became a series of magnificent beaches at low tide. What is clear is that the North Coast in particular will be a series of short but severe valleys and a 'walk' or even 'march' is a misnomer! It is 'hill climbing' and in accumulation at this rate will represent quite a total height.