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
Thursday, 16 September 2010
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
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
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.
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)
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.
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