Day 18 - Picturesque North coast

Toady saw me return to what is probably the nicest part of the North Coast, Trevone to Padstow.

Trevone looked absolutely idyllic in the morning sun.

I set off eastwards (simply because the car parking was cheaper in Trevone than in Padstow) up the gentle climb out of Trevone towards Stepper point.

I was trying to stay in a more positive frame of mind today, having spent the last two days feeling low on energy and high on aches and pains!

The terrain and going got a little bit steeper as the path climbs up Gunver Head (a strange looking piece of land, sheer on one side and tilted to about 25 degrees on the inland side).

Once you've reached the top the view across to Trevose Haed is good and the stone pillar that sits just off shore is impressive.

I spied a Kestrel hovering over the grassy edge of the cliff, clearly something had caught its eye, but after a 30 to 40 second hover, he move along without making a dive.

As I neared Stepper Point, I came across a chimney perched right on the cliff edge. There was a door leading in to a circular structure about 5ft in diameter, but no hole going downward, meaning it could not have been a mine chimney. The inside had three or four wooden struts gong across the chimney higher up, but no way of getting to them.

After examining the chimney, I guessed that it may have been a smoke house for preserving fish / meat, but made a note to research it when I got home.

After researching the chimney, I can confirm I was completely wrong!!

It is called Daymark Chimney and was built in 1830. Standing at 40ft and originally limewashed, it served as a daytime navigational aid for boats entering the Camel estuary and Padstow Harbour.

As I continued around Stepper point, the beautiful Camel estuary appeared. The tide was low, so lots of sandy beaches were exposed and, with the sun beating down I imagined it would be hard to find a more picturesque view.

The walk into Padstow continues along the estuary for around two miles, eventually bringing you to the Harbour, close to where the Rock to Padstow ferry lands.

I turned back without stopping for a bite to eat or a drink, because just a quarter of a mile outside Padstow, overlooking the estuary I had passed a wonderful war memorial located above the estuary. This served as a timely reminder of why I have undertaken this challenge to raise money to allow the Royal British Legion to support our forces personnel and their families.

I have seen many memorials in my time, but few sit in such a fantastic location as this one.

Today see's me pass the 200 mile point of my walk, only another 373.8 miles to go to have walked the Cornish coast path twice!

Please support my efforts if you can, I have set a target of a mere £574.00 (approximately £1 per mile I'll walk). I have currently received pledges of support totaling £213.70 (with one other generous supporter offering to double every pledge I get (up to my target of £574.00).

Thank you.