South West Coast Path Day 8.
Distance today: 17.5 miles.
Total distance: 1230.3 miles.
Accommodation: campsite.
Another lovely day on the coastal path. Apart from the steps. I still hate steps. I’ve almost certainly got fitter during this trip but for whatever reason, steps never seem to get any easier. Going up, the legs have to be lifted slightly higher than they would comfortably want to go. Coming down, I found the impact on my feet very jarring when they landed on the step below. And as a bonus, the effect In both directions was exaggerated because I was carrying a big pack. I’m not sure if my legs would have made it this far if I hadn’t had my trekking poles.
Most of the day seemed to be spent walking on or at least near to cliff tops. The coastline remained rugged and craggy while inland was the usual mix of bracken, gorse, and grassland with the occasional grazing sheep. I loved the sense of being in a big open space. All in all, it was fine way to go from A to B. I stopped off at Crackington Beach and had a coffee and a pasty in the Cabin Café. Sam Elliot was there too although we didn’t go as far as having an actual conversation.
One of the highlights of the day was undoubtedly Boscastle. The village was charming enough but in terms of out and out drama, it was the harbour that had the wow factor. It looked like it belonged in a Hollywood film – a romcom where the protagonist is a Cornish fisherman. Rather that than the disaster movie of 2004. After a coffee at the National Trust café and picking up some supplies (scones, cider, and more pasties) in the village, I was on my way again. I will be back.
Three miles further on from Boscastle, my stopping point for the night was the Trewethett Farm Club Campsite near Trethevy. It was a big sprawling site home to mainly caravans and campervans and while it might have lacked a little charm, it made up for it in terms of location. It was barely a few yards from the SWCP and having picked a front row pitch, the view from my tent was directly out to sea. Simply gorgeous.
