Day 2: Gunard’s Head to Hayle

Pros and Cons of walking alternatives:

The Cornish Coast Path – Pro: amazing scenery and it feels as if you are doing things properly. Con: a lot of the path is so rocky that it takes about an hour to do a mile – which is prohibitive.

Other Footpaths: Pro: being further inland they are not so rocky, windy and steep. Con: they do not always exist in reality though they do on the map; farmers may position aggressive animals in your path.

B Roads: Pro: often scenic, easier walking, harder to get lost. Con: Most have no pavements, so you have to really concentrate to keep out of the way of cars.

Minor Road and bridleways: Pro: tend to actually exist in reality, hard to get lost. Con: not always readily available.

Today was a mix of coast path, inland footpath and road walking.

I soon realised that I would have a 12 hour walking day if I stayed o the coast path, so moved in land. From Zennor I found an excellent footpath most of the way to St Ives. This was well marked except for a classic moment. There was an ironic sign saying ‘do not deviate from the waymarked path’ just at the point where there was a choice of three paths, none of them waymarked. Of course I tried the wrong ones before the correct one and wasted about an hour in the process.

Although I have been to Cornwall before several times I have never before been to the north coast this far west. In particular I had not been to St Ives – today I stopped there for a snack lunch. I then returned to the coast path on to Hayle – here it is close to lots of well populated beaches and is fairly well made up, so easier walking.

The path goes close to the Carbis Bay Hotel, scene of the 2021 G7 conference – pictured with a giant G7 outside in case it forgets.

A long walk round the edge of the Hayle estuary brought me to my hosts – friends of friends kindly putting me up for the night. Thanks to Graeme Parkhill, who is a singer and choral conductor, and his housemate/landlord, Andy. Thanks so much to them (great Lasagna).

Although today was supposed to be slightly shorter, the detouring meant that the day came in at 17.24 miles – longer than yesterday. Rather hotter too. Hoping for a less tiring day tomorrow.

Daily Data

Days left until John O’Groats	74
Route miles walked	34.12
Estimated miles until John O’Groats	1016
Miles walked including evenings and rest days	3
Counties walked through	1
Number of walking companions so far	0
Number of stiles crossed	18
Current sponsorship total	£11860,30
Cast of characters	Jeremy Pemberton, Laurence Cunnington, Adele Poulson, Brad Poulson, Graeme Parkhill, Andy Hellwig

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