It’s 5:20pm in Porthtowan now, arrived at the very hippie/groovy/bohemian EcoPark camping site about 2:30 after walking 12.3 miles in 7hrs. We woke in the dark early this morning, packed up the tent, ate the yogurt I bought yesterday, and we were on the trail by 7:30! Really wanted to beat the gusts coming in, and we did! Bonus gift, the early morning birdsong which is always the BEST in England.
We were up on the cliffs again most of the day, along with dog walkers and a surprising amount of very impressive and quick runners. I don’t understand how they don’t trip on the narrow, rain-gutted, rock strewn path. A few passed slowly enough for us to ask how far they were running and they typically responded, smiling over their shoulder, “oh about 9 or 10 today!” Sheesh! At least I had a pack on my back for some trail cred while I plodded along carefully placing my poles to not trip. So many interesting things to see today, most of them while looking down near the path I was stepping on. But one of the first sights was up and one that always brings so much comfort: the glorious sunlight breaking through the clouds, the rays touching earth. Each time I see this phenomenon I know God is there gracing my pathway, whether it’s this South West Coast one or just every ordinary day I live. Today happened to be extraordinary.
Some of the other things that caught my eye: the reminder that this is adder environment (never seen one, they are VERY reclusive) and now I have that to worry about as well as not falling off a cliff or taking a wrong turn- sheesh again; the clever handiwork of stone wall building; the sweetness and abundance of wild primroses; and more heart stones. This is a path of love! Despite the adders lurking in the grassy banks.
My mind and heart continue to do well and I cannot believe I’m finally on this walk. Most of that is due to Kimberly generously spending these three weeks to kick off the trip. Lots of engaging conversations about what’s going on around us, what’s going on at home, what’s going on inside us. We’re making sure to give each other some space too, because it’s hard to share a tent or a double bed and constant time with another person. We work well together. I’m grateful.
My body is beginning to show the strain of four straight days of long, hilly walks. Today had some doozies up and down, up and down. Repeat. Repeat. A few more blisters, a screaming psoas, sore shoulders, but I feel strong. I know when to take a rest and have a cup of tea, like our stop in the pretty cove of Portreath to have our 2nd breakfast. And later we stopped to enjoy the pasty we bought yesterday in Hayle, the *best* in Cornwall! It weighed a pound, so I had to eat it early so I didn’t have to carry it further!
Tonight there is a Battle of the Bands concert at the place we’re staying, and Thai food too! Whoop it up Saturday night!
