Today I meant to go 17 miles...that didn't happen. Forecast was for 100% chance heavy showers and 31mph wind with gusts which were higher. I ate down a big English breakfast, donned my walking gear (windbreaker, swimming trunks, and one pair of trainers that I brought - 2nd pair were buried in the bag to stay dry), and set out. Made it to the next village (7 to 8 miles later) and figured I should probably catch the bus to my final destination of St Ives. Weather was just that inclement. I didn't see ANY other walkers, a few people driving by who would stop, try to go up a hill and turn around.
Wind was really pushing me around. If I had a headwind I probably would have had to turn back. Mostly a crosswind and occasionally a tail wind that would almost throw me down the trail. It's the only time I've ever wondered if I could recognise the signs of hypothermia in myself if it got to that. I don't do particularly well when I get cold and wet, and I was definitely very very very wet. A drowned rat to say the least. I pushed myself pretty hard to keep a bit warmer and kept drinking, even though I wasn't thirsty. The good part about it being a really wet day was I didn't need to worry about finding a place to hide to go to the bathroom. No one else anywhere to be seen.
As I approached the next village (Gwithain) an older chap who was walking back toward the cafe and carpark offered me a coffee and to drive me to the nearest bus stop. Well Howard ended up driving me to St Ives (only a few miles by road, much more by coast path) as he said I would have to wait a few hours for my bus. Really nice guy and definitely saved my butt.
Spent the afternoon drying out. Fortunately, since I bagged everything inside the waterproof bag I was using I had dry clothes to wear. Relaxed, showered, warmed up with a few cups of tea, and then decided to explore St Ives. Unfortunately, it was still very windy and rainy, so I ended up going to a nearby cinema and saw the Avengers. When I came out it had passed so I got to take a few pictures and then find a place to eat.
Went to an organic locally sourced burger place called Blas (see their website ). Next town I was walking to was where the beef came from. Really really yummy food. A couple I chatted with at my table (most tables were shared) said they'd been rescued by folk on rainy days before. Waitresses in the place were quite surprised when I said how far I walked the previous day. Apparently not the typical distance people walk. They also said the forecast for the next day wasn't great either.
Portreath as I was leaving. You can see the whitecaps on the water if you look hard.
One of the few other pictures I dared taking. Doesn't do it any justice to what it felt like. Never been in a storm like that before.
Wind was really pushing me around. If I had a headwind I probably would have had to turn back. Mostly a crosswind and occasionally a tail wind that would almost throw me down the trail. It's the only time I've ever wondered if I could recognise the signs of hypothermia in myself if it got to that. I don't do particularly well when I get cold and wet, and I was definitely very very very wet. A drowned rat to say the least. I pushed myself pretty hard to keep a bit warmer and kept drinking, even though I wasn't thirsty. The good part about it being a really wet day was I didn't need to worry about finding a place to hide to go to the bathroom. No one else anywhere to be seen.
As I approached the next village (Gwithain) an older chap who was walking back toward the cafe and carpark offered me a coffee and to drive me to the nearest bus stop. Well Howard ended up driving me to St Ives (only a few miles by road, much more by coast path) as he said I would have to wait a few hours for my bus. Really nice guy and definitely saved my butt.
Spent the afternoon drying out. Fortunately, since I bagged everything inside the waterproof bag I was using I had dry clothes to wear. Relaxed, showered, warmed up with a few cups of tea, and then decided to explore St Ives. Unfortunately, it was still very windy and rainy, so I ended up going to a nearby cinema and saw the Avengers. When I came out it had passed so I got to take a few pictures and then find a place to eat.
Went to an organic locally sourced burger place called Blas (see their website ). Next town I was walking to was where the beef came from. Really really yummy food. A couple I chatted with at my table (most tables were shared) said they'd been rescued by folk on rainy days before. Waitresses in the place were quite surprised when I said how far I walked the previous day. Apparently not the typical distance people walk. They also said the forecast for the next day wasn't great either.
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