Walking Englishman's 1000 Mile Walk

Photograph Gallery Stage 77 Gweek to Lizard Point, Tuesday 9th August 2011

The Story:

The last day of the walk had arrived and I was full of mixed emotions. Part of me was looking forwards to finishing, to going home, to being able to dress in clean clothes, to simply follow a normal daily routine. Then there was the Walking Englishman in me who didn’t look forward to the end at all, to get up and walk exploring the world outside, the paths, the trails, the sights, the flora, the fauna and simply the adventure of it all. Sure there had been adversity; pain, strains, blisters, gales, storms, thunder, lightning and persistent rain but hey I expected that. On the flip side there had been many moments of great pleasure, the WOW moments like the first sight of Quinag, the Falls of Glomach, Buachaille Etive Mor, the Southern Uplands, the entrance into the Lake District…. I could go on and on.

Anyway, this was it, the last morning and after the usual ritual of putting everything in the right place in the backpack (although today some gear was left in the B&B) Strolling Steve and I left our B&B to meet Dave, Chris and the boys outside the Gweek Inn. Then after the photo shoot of us all outside the pub wer set off on our way along the road to Tenement Farm and then to Ponson Tuel from where we had planned to walk along the road through Treverry Wood. However, the enthusiasm of the youngsters bounding on ahead led to us continuing south to Mawgan Cross from where we tracked still by road to Rosevear before we finally departed from the tarmac to follow a dedicated path to Tregoose, only problem being nobody had told the farmer who had cropped the field in wheat which we had to struggle through, over waist high it was and a tough crossing was made before we completed our arduous crop challenge and strove to find the hidden fieldside stile. After Tregoose Farm we took to a fieldside for a rest, we needed it after that.

After our break we walked on by quiet roadside to Mainlay, Merries, Millewarne and Millpool – I kid you not the Cornish seem to cluster their towns and villages in alphabetic groups. From Millpool we completed our letter M walk and graduated to the letter C with Cemy, Cury and Chymder being our next places of passing. After Chymder the excitement accentuated as the sea was close by. I hurried on ahead of the pack and passed Mullion Golf Course before turning the corner of the road at Trewoon to look down on the sea at Poldhu Cove. Following on about 100 yards behind my walking colleagues emerged round the corner to catch sight of the sea too and then the two young bucks sprung from the trap, forged ahead of the group, ran straight past me, continued on to the beach at a great pace, took off footwear and clothes as they raced to the sea and with their dignity intact they leapt in to the water and momentarily revelled before realising it was not as warm as they thought. After a short while bearing the water they were out back onto dry and with energy expelled they slunked back to recover their clothes and dress. Meanwhile I and the older generation had settled on seats above Poldhu Cove to enjoy the tremendous view. It was certainly another WOW moment for me, I had arrived at the sea and my destination was just 7 miles along the coast in an easterly direction. Before the finale we had but one mile to walk to meet the girls, Strolling Steve’s wife Jan and my angel Lil waited at Mullion Cove.

I felt blessed as I walked from Poldhu Cove to Mullion Cove. The day was so beautiful, a clear blue sky, warm and verging on being hot and the sea shimmered in a transluscent azure blue. It was an incredible sight of the coastline with interesting outcrops around every corner and I was awestruck by it all. I know my companions were too, they kept telling me so. Eventually we reached Mullion Cove and as Lil spotted me she ran to me and we had a big hug. It was a wonderful moment, the reunion complete after almost three months walking. Apart from Jan, Sam Marshall from my work was also joining us for the last few miles, to capture the finale and report to my charity effort for which I have aimed to raise £4,000 which I am on target to achieving.

And so the last stage was begun and we all walked in the brilliant sunshine on the brilliant day and in brilliant scenery from Mullion to Higher Predannack Cliff and then to Vellan Head where we took a short break before continuing on to Soap Rock, the Horse and Kynance Cliff before I darted off ahead of everyone to Kynance Cove. There was a reason for my absconding. At Kynance Cove I secured a seat at the busy cafe, hosts of people had arrived on the lovely day and when my entourage arrived I bought everyone ice cream and cake should they wish it. Then after the refreshment I ran down to the sandy cove, took off my boots and dived into the sea, it was absolute delight, I was nearly at the end of my journey and I had promised myself that after walking the full length of Great Britian I would jump in the sea. So I did and it was wonderful.

From the euphoria of the sea dip came the poignancy of realising I was all but finished with my epic journey. I walked those last few miles in the company of Lil, just me and my wife on those final steps to the end. Soon Lizard Point came into view and soon I was walking the last steps. Strolling Steve said “Where do you plan to finish” I didn’t rightly know, I had assumed the lighthouse but it was more relevant to end on the grass of Lizard Point itself. And so I did.

There is a tear in my eye as I write this…….
The Photographs:

The final day team assembled outside the pub in Gweek

The road from Gweek

Trees and Sky

The crop field

Butterfly

Poldhu Cove

Gull

Mullion Cove

Coastal Flowers and Sea

Asparagus Island, Bull Rock and The Bishop at Kynance Cove

Contemplating the finish of the walk

Venton Hill Point

Done it!

Celebration

Strolling Steve and The Walking Englishman