Marazion to Gwithian in 2 days by the pretty way...

Day 15 – 4th June 2010 Marazion to Cape Cornwall

Hottest day so far! After a wonderful full English with Peter and Sue (who also made a generous donation to Cancer Research.) I set off at a somewhat modest pace around Penzance Bay seeing John and Ro briefly at Newlyn – where the ever helpful John was assisting a family in a VW camper who had run out of fuel! I continued on a long unsupported stretch after Mousehole, when my ‘fuel’ also ran out - however my spirits were lifted by finding a cafe at Lamorna where I met Geoff and 2 friends who were backpacking sections of the SWCP. They were very interested in my exploits and made a generous donation! The team gave me yet another wonderful welcome break at Porthcurno – all looking very Mediterranean in the hot weather! Next highpoint was Lands End where Ro managed to photograph us next to the official Lands End sign – probably much to the chagrin of the official photographer who has the monopoly and charges £10 for one photograph. Perhaps he didn’t dare object with our Cancer Research banner in view of so many people ... that said we did get free parking. My final jog of the day included trying to be seen on the webcam at Sennen Cove (Neil was checking on line) and the footpath becoming something of a rock climb just after Sennen – just what I needed with my gammy right leg. (Me’ Mum said there would be days like this!) So felt much happier when Ro and John were there to meet me at Cape Cornwall. Got fish ‘n chips in St Just then back to the campsite in Kelynack, again at a discounted price. 27 hot and dusty miles covered today – making nice round figures of 380 miles completed - 250 miles to go. (No Wi-Fi so this will published late)
Day 16 – 5th June 2010 Cape Cornwall to Gwithian
Set off from Cape Cornwall feeling very tired but conditions cooler and better for running. Aware that next stage is reckoned to be one of the hardest and most isolated – so carrying 3 litres of water in rucsac. Got to Pendeen Lighthouse in good time but route finding became more difficult – with signs absent and slight mist covering headlands to make compass work difficult – the inevitable happened and I went almost 2 miles off course! However it did mean that I saw the Team near Zennor for refreshments etc. I met a gentleman called Innis during a brief water stop –yet another generous donation on the road – and am always grateful when it is paper money rather than that very heavy coin stuff! Eventually ran through St. Ives (where Pirate FM had again mentioned my movements) about 1.5 hrs behind schedule before meeting the guys again at Lelant, near Hayle. Final trot of the day was about 4 miles along Gwithian Sands to the Campsite at Gwithian Farm – a nice site where we had stayed in the past during a ‘normal’ holiday. I don’t know if it is because of John and Ro’s increasing skills in appealing to complete strangers or if due to people taking pity on my increasingly extinguished appearance but we got prime pitch absolutely free! And I got special permission to use the only bathroom – usually dedicated to under 5’s only! (No ducks in the bath however.) Ended day with a BBQ and a drop of red wine. Now off to pub down the road – hopefully for free Wi-Fi. By the way, as some have asked – yes I am enjoying the run despite the thigh injury – which is slowly improving. However I do admit that it is proving harder than I imagined ... and I couldn’t continue without Ro and John’s unstinting support and encouragement; and the approx current £4.00 per mile sponsorship sure helps me in the down times – thanks again on behalf of Cancer Research UK to all you generous folks out there! Mileage today 27.5, total completed 407.5, miles to do 222.5.