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.

Gorran to Marazion - Days 12 to 14, June 1st to 3rd

Day 12 – 1st June 2010 Going from Gorran to a place called Place


Set off in miserable weather which fortunately improved through the day. However the going remained especially difficult (and dangerous in places) as much of this section of coast path is very overgrown making the path very difficult to see – unnerving when a 250 foot drop is just to one side; so slow progress until meeting team at Gerrans Bay, Porthscatho, St, Anthony Head and finally at the ferry point at Place. The ‘auld leg’ was still very painful so seemed a good time to see our friend of 20 years – Peter Smith – both in a social and professional capacity. Peter and Gabi kindly prepared a lovely meal for us as well as applying his considerable skills to my muscle pain in my thigh. (This uses ‘Gentle Muscle Release’ – also known as Hyperton-X. Skilful application of this technique actually frees muscles that are too tight – but without pain! In my case it was a case of no pain/plenty gain!} Peter lives south of Truro and can be contacted via pcksmith@talktalk.net and www.pcksmith.com He is a gentleman in every sense of the word. Finally we spent the night at Carnon Downs Campsite – again at a special discounted price. Bad paths and poorly leg meant only about 22 miles today.

Day 13 – 2nd June 2010 Falmouth to Kennack Sands

Team dropped me in Falmouth near to ferry point from Place. Set off at a good pace in fine warm weather as leg feeling good at first! Got to Helford Passage in less than 2 hours where I was met by friends Sharon and Richard! They had arranged to take me across to Helford in their boat! Sharon then ran with me for about 3 miles to St Anthony where there was another river crossing to negotiate at Gillan Creek. As tide was too high for me to wade across Sharon used both her considerable charms and local knowledge to encourage Des to take me across in his boat – a great guy who even ensured I didn’t get my feet wet! Sharon then ran back to Helford whilst I continued on before meeting up with team at Porthoustock and Coverack. Finally ended day slowly (leg still quite painful but Peter’s exercises proving very useful.) at Kennack Sands. Today’s mileage about 28. Then just a mile or so inland to Chy-Carn campsite – where John and Ro had already set up on our free pitch for the night. So many people we meet seem so grateful for our efforts for Cancer Research. Other highlight for today was passing the half way point in 13 days – now 323 miles completed and 307 to do! (But am still concerned me’ old leg may suffer on the more strenuous north coast ... No country for soft men.)

Day 14 – 3rd June 2010 Kennack Sands to Marazion

A Long Limp round the Lizard! Very warm day again – Team first met me at the Lizard – the most southerly point of mainland Britain where Ro and John had been talking to Kat – the lovely RSPB rep who was caring for the resident Choughs, followed by Coverack Quay. Also saw them at Poldhu – where Marconi’s first Atlantic radio message was sent in December 1901! (I am now using the free Wi-Fi in the Godolphin Hotel in Marazion) Got my best welcome when the Borg family and friends joined forces with John and Ro at Praa Sands-all wearing the special Iansbigrun T-shirts! Final leg (in more ways than one!) took me to B&B Chynoweth in uptown Marazion where Peter and Sue has made us most welcome. Will finish now as my Lasagne has just arrived – so it’s good night from me and them! –Oh I forgot – just over 30 miles covered today albeit in slow time.

Fowey to Gorran - with a thigh of relief?

Day 11 – 31st May 2010

A day to test if yesterday’s injury is serious! Felt OK when leaving Chris and Sue’s house – we drove back to near Fowey to restart run ... again with much encouragement from Ro and John! Managed to get to next meeting point at Par Sands feeling ‘sort of OK’. However by the time I got to Porthpean (Location of friend Chris’s Sailing Club) my right thigh was feeling exceedingly dodgey! I pressed on and met team again at Pentewan – by this time I was going exceedingly slow. So after resting (and eating and icepacks on leg etc I decided to continue to Gorran Haven where I finally decided to call it day – met the guys and drove to Boswinger Seaview international Campsite – where Sarah had very kindly agreed to give us a free pitch for the night – on what is probably one of the best sites in the West Country and where we had stayed many times in the past. After a lengthy soak in the bath I joined Ro and John in the camper for an excellent ‘take-away’ from the Camp cafe. The jury is still out on the thigh injury – E.g. whether to take a day off? Running total is now about 274 miles.

A day of 2 halves!

Day 10 – 30 May 2010
Day started really well after leaving Seaton beach in fairly warm weather following one of the nicer parts of the coastal footpath. Was feeling good so ran through Looe at a fairly good pace despite the tourists (Bank holiday Sunday!) Things got even better as I approached Talland Bay – almost all walkers on the path in the opposite direction gave me a cheer and said ‘Well done Ian!!’ It transpired that John and Ro were waiting for me at Talland and had briefed all heading in my direction to look for the ‘runner’! (Good job I was actually running well at the time ...) Had a wonderful welcome at open air cafe at Talland both on arrival and departure! Continued on my way thru’ Polperro towards Fowey but about 4 miles before the Polruan ferry I got a terrific pain in my right thigh which made it very difficult to make any sort of progress downhill. Not a good attribute for the coastal footpath. It was obvious that my day plan to reach Charlestown was no longer possible so I phoned the team who were actually waiting for me across the river at Fowey. (And an even bigger concern to me was that I may not be able to continue at all if the injury proved serious.) However after much care and attention from Ro, John and Chris and Sue (who have kindly provided us with a 2nd night’s stop over.) the pain has subsided – I suspect from experience it may have been severe cramp rather than a pulled muscle – so fingers crossed for tomorrow. Again, we met many kind people today – especially Jamie – master of one of the Fowey river ferries who didn’t want to take any money off Ro and John for their 2 up/down river ferry trips. I even travelled free again on the Polruan/Fowey ferry. The ‘injury’ has meant I am now approximately 10 miles down on my schedule – but plenty of time to go and it is more important to keep the old body in one piece. Finally back to C&S’s house for a relaxing bath and a second excellent meal!