Praa Sands to Lizard
After a lovely stay with Katie, from the Cornwall Love Her Wild Group and her family, I set off along the South West Coast Path to Lizard Point! Knowing that today’s the day that I would reach the most southerly point of midland UK, really spurred me on.
Walking along the path, the views were once again beautiful. Even amongst the mizzle! Today was a full waterproofs kind of day, as even though the rain wasn’t particularly heavy, it soaked everything.
Walking along the coast path was really interesting. There was lots of local history, including engine houses and mine shafts from the tin mining industry.
There was also a memorial to people who have been lost at sea.
After a couple of hours walking I was in Porthleven, where I stopped in the harbour and had a sausage roll. My plan had been to have a Cornish pasty in Cornwall, however the ship has sold out!
I continued along the coast path and reached Loe Bar. The coast path crossed directly across the bay. It was nice to walk across the sand, and I really felt a connection with the landscape. Even if I was a little slower as my feet moved with every step.
The path continued along the tops of the cliffs. Giving me beautiful views across the different covers.
Crossing over Vellan Head, I decided that I was no longer walking, but sploshing! The path was rather wet, with a choice between 10cm deep mud on the left hand side or water logged grass on the main path. I took it all in my stride and was very glad of my waterproof boots!
Just after Mullion Cove, I met my first LEJOGer on route. Roland is from the Netherlands and is walking Lizard Point to Dunnet Head via Land’s End to John O’Groats. It was lovely to meet a fellow walker and share our stories. I’m part of the Land’s End to John O’Groats Association Facebook group, and it has been lovely to see that there’s actually a few of us who have started walking over the past couple of days.
I’ve met so many lovely people on the trail so far. I can’t stop smiling when someone asks me where I’m going and I get to reply “John O’Groats!”
The views and the sound of the sea more than made up for today’s weather. I really enjoyed today’s walk. I felt really present walking along the path, soaking it all in, as my waterproofs protected me from soaking the rain in too!
I took a slight deviation from the coast path to visit Kynance Bute which is an old settlement. It was really interesting to imagine people living up on the cliffs thousands of years ago.
I was originally planning to finish today in Lizard village and visit Lizard Point in the morning, however once I’d seen Lizard Point in the distance, it pulled me on and I decided to continue along the coast path.
With just 1/4 of a mile to Lizard Point I felt quite emotional, a deep sense of pride and joy, knowing that I’m really taking on this challenge.
Reaching Lizard Point was amazing, I was so happy that I’d made the decision to make it there today. Unfortunately, the UK’s most Southerly Cafe was closed due to storm damage, but I was so pleased to have made it. The rain had relented a bit and I spent a bit of time there, enjoying the view, absorbing and reflecting on my challenge.
I then continued into Lizard village, where I’m staying at the campsite for the night.I set my tent up, then cooked my well-earned tea.
In preparing my trip, I cooked and dehydrated a range of meals, plus soup to make my own cup-a-soups. Today’s delicacy was tomato and lentil soup, followed by curry and rice. Both were just what I needed.
The campsite has lovely warm showers (40p for 3 minutes was perfect), they even had Classic FM playing.
After catching up with my family, it was then time to get off to bed, feeling full from a wholesome day on the trail.
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