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.

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.