Angel Sam looking over me!

Day 23 – 12th June 2010 Penultimate day before the final push to the end!

Another good day with much running support from daughter Sam! Felt good despite a very late night at our ‘home B&B’ – just going to bed when one of our burglar alarm sirens decided to wake up the neighbourhood – as resident in-house technician I had to dismantle the bell box stood on top of small ladder, working in the dark with dear Sam and Ro (her with broken arm) holding the ladder. I only mention this because I could imagine folks saying ‘How did Ian get on with the run?’ – ‘He didn’t finish as he twisted ankle falling off a ladder into a rose bed at just after midnight ... !’ Yeh – right.
Anyway, I digress. Started back in sunny Woolacombe with Sam joining me shortly after to run with me to Lee bay. As I ran into Ifracombe David and Anne Griffiths drove in alongside me to meet all the team at the Harbour car park – where we again met many generous people! We all met again at Combe Martin and consumed pasties generously provided by Team Griffiths! The days real work then began with the over 1000 foot climb over the two Hangman hills and on towards Holdstone Down – where I could hear Sam calling me but couldn’t see her. Eventually we met and both ran together to where rest of team were. Over the next hour or so I continued towards Heddon’s Mouth but my drink supplies were rapidly running out! So it was with delight and surprise when I heard a voice calling ‘Hey Dad’ in the depths of the woods near Hunter’s Inn – yes, Sam had appeared again like a guardian angel with drink supplies! I plodded on to be eventually applauded by all concerned at Lee Abbey – where Tabea, Caleb and Kim (from Lee Abbey) very kindly replenished our hot water flasks and supplied extra refreshments free of charge. Wonderful people. Sam ran with me again for the final lovely stretch past the Valley of the Rocks down to Lynmouth. A hilly 26 miles today leaving about 22 miles to the finish in Minehead tomorrow! (Wobbly old legs permitting)

Run in the sun from Bideford to Woolacombe

Day 22 – 11th June 2010

One of the best days of the whole trip. Sam is back with us and Moira (John’s wife) so with the addition of a Senior HR consultant and a Senior nurse I believe we now have all eventualities covered! Started from Bideford AAC Club house where Doug had arranged for Rob, a photographer with the North Devon Journal to be in attendance both at the clubhouse and on the early part of run through Bideford and Instow. I was so grateful that Mike Gilmore had turned up again – this time to pace me through the first 10 miles or so to Barnstaple along with daughter Sam who also ran with us as far as Fremington Quay. Mikes pace judgment over a section of the Tarka Trail that I always find difficult (even when not tired from the day before) was immaculate – still would I expect anything but perfection from a Northern Ireland International athlete! Good support throughout the day including friends at Fremington as well as Barnstaple old bridge where Mike was to leave me. Team Crumbly (+ one smoothy) met me again at Saunton Sands where I was to receive the double delight of a leg massage and an ice cream! A quick applause was received as I passed through Croyde Bay before the final run around Baggy Point and across Woolacombe Bay to the finish for the day, somewhat unusually feeling less tired than I did at the start in Bideford. Day’s total 31 miles.

From Hartland to HEARTLAND is just 30 miles.

Day 21 – 10th June 2010
After a great free B&B at our home in Barnstaple John drove us back to Hartland Quay for me to continue the run on more familiar territory. Within the first hour John’s red and white umbrella was visible just above Hartland Point Lighthouse always a welcome sight! (The umbrella, not the lighthouse!) A long lonely stretch followed until I met Team Crumbly again for lunch just above Clovelly. Was prepared for another lonesome run until Westward Ho! So was surprised to find the team again at Bucks Cross for a drink top-up. The best part of another difficult 30 mile day was getting wonderful support from members of Bideford AAC as well as many friends from Barnstaple. Firstly Mike Gilmore met me about 2 miles before Westward Ho and ran with me to the finish at Bideford Clubhouse – don’t think I could have kept going without his help – especially going around the cold and windy Northam Burrows! Then just after Appledore a large contingent of Bideford runners also joined me to the finish – Many thanks to Doug for organising this. The final accolade came from many friends from Roundswell Church who came to see me finish the day’s run! (I am also well aware that they have all been continuously supporting us ‘in more ways than one’ since I left home on 21st May.) Back home tonight following a much needed shower and drink at the Club bar! What more could a tired old chap ask for? Planning to restart run from Bideford AAC at around 09:00 tomorrow, heading for Woolacombe via Barnstaple, Braunton and Croyde. Approx 552 miles completed leaving 78 to do in the next 3 days. Hmm.

A lot to see from Crackington to Hartland Quay

Day 20 - Wednesday 9th June 2010


A good send-off from John and Lin saw me 'climbing' up Penkenna Cliff out of Crackington Haven. (For info: some wonderful sunsets can be see here.)All familiar ground but all distances seem longer than I remember ... or is just that I was 20 years younger when I would sometimes run home 18 miles from work at Morwenstow to Crackington? The guys caught me at Widemouth Bay and again at Bude for a Cornish pasty refuelling,at Duckpool for a coffee and at Morwenstow cliffs, near Hawkers Hut for liquid replacement before the real work began on the 'switchback' path to Hartland Quay. First border crossing since leaving Plymouth, but this time at least I remembered to swap flags from Kernow to Devon!Another 26 miles on a very difficult section - however my thigh injury continues to improve ... have started to plan a schedule to finish in Minehead late afternoon on Sunday 13th June - however this will mean 29 miles from HQuay to Bideford (Blues clubhouse late tomorrow),a cool 31 miles from Bideford to Woolacombe on Friday, 26 miles from Woolacombe to Lynton on Saturday before the final 22 miles from Lynton to Minehead on Sunday. - but would be nice to finish on Sunday rather than Monday - would also mean whole trip in 24 days rather than the more usual '26 marathons in 26 days'. All these guesstimates are very provisional - I hope don't regret making them!

Where was Doc Martin when I needed him?

Day 19 – 8th June 2010 Polzeath to Crackington Haven

Set off from Polzeath beach feeling OK – the SWCPA say this is one of the hardest sections of the whole footpath. Met team at Port Quin for a quick coffee in the ‘ghost village’ where all the males in the village were lost in a single fishing disaster many years ago. (All the cottages are holiday occupation only. ) Had lunch with them in Port Issac – where I had some fun with a group of visitors by telling them I had heard that Martin Clunes was in the pub ... good job I was still able to run. Met again at Glebe Cliff at Tintagel and at final checkpoint was at Boscastle. My final stretch was a real struggle – although I was on ‘home territory’ having lived at Crackington years ago, I had forgotten the severity of the climbs – Highcliff at over 700 feet is the highest point on the whole coastpath. Ro and special friend and ex neighbour John were patiently waiting for me outside the Combe Barton pub to take to John and Lin’s house in higher Crackington for a fantastic dinner and B&B! Feeling really tired but another 29 very hilly miles completed. Totals 496 completed – just 134 miles to go!

Cornish Rain at last!

Day 18 – 7th June 2010 Newquay to Polzeath

At last – some proper Cornish rain today! Like it rained horizontally at 30 mph for most of the day. My Ron Hill rain-suit leaked like a sieve – might take it back if can remember where I bought it in 1993. Otherwise quite a good day as route fairly gentle gradients. Team met me at Mawgan Porth for a quick coffee, Porthcothan for lunch and finally at Trevone. They had also seen me run pass Bedruthan Steps where they had a generous reception at the Carnewas Cafe – even supplying 2 wonderful Cornish Pasties for free! After Trevone I ran into Padstow just in time for the ferry across to Rock. Meanwhile Ro and John had arranged an excellent B&B at the Fourways Inn at St. Minver before picking up one tired old man at Polzeath. A long soak in the bath was followed by a first class meal and chat with some very nice people, including Jamie the Landlord who was also kind enough to give us a good discount on the bill. Today’s mileage about 27.

A 'get the miles in while you can' sort of day!

Day 17 – 6th June 2010 Gwithian to Newquay


After thanking Mike's wife at the Gwithian Farm Campsite,I made the most of the ideal weather for running and a slightly less arduous route by covering about 33 miles today. Team met me with support at Porthreath, St. Agnes Head, and Holywell Bay. I also had a pit stop (ice cream and a cold drink) at the beach cafe at Perranporth – where they also made a generous donation to Cancer Research. Ro and John found a good B&B (The Warwick – Russ and and Adele)on the Porth side of Newquay – which means I can start from there again in the morning. The olde poorley legge actually feeling slightly better today! Total distance covered = 441, leaving 189 to the finish.So it's good night from us at the Brook House Inn, Newquay.