Day 21 - Coverack

Beer drunk: 1 pint, Distance walked: 18km, Time taken: 6h 33m (5h 27m walking)

I walked to Coverack with Trevor today.  We originally set off with one of the couples from the B&B too but they didn't have hiking poles and the track was <b>very</b> muddy and slippery underfoot and they couldn't keep up.  It was also very foggy in the morning.  Not so bad that you felt unsafe walking (visibility was about 10m) but it was an interesting experience all the same.  Snow is about the only weather condition I've yet to encounter on this trip.  I've been told it is <i>unlikely</i> at this time of year.

There is a lighthouse with a foghorn at Lizard point.  The fog had rolled in last night and I remember lying in bed trying to work out what that strange, repetitive sound was.  It is very directional so while it was audible in the village it wasn't loud.  We thought it wasn't that loud even on the coast path until we happen to be walking by it when it sounded.  It is definitely LOUD.

Walking was hard work today due to the uncertain footing.  It was supposed to be an easy day but we kept slipping and sliding.  I fell down 3 times but Trevor slipped over 6 times so I still feel ok.  I ran into the other couple later tonight in the pub and the woman said at one point she had to take a bit of the path on her hands and knees.

Another reason the time taken overall was so long was because, as I said before, Trevor is a chatty soul.    We stopped to chat to shopkeepers, dog walkers, other hikers and a lifeguard at a lifeboat station we passed.  When there were no other people around Trevor chatted to me.  Fortunately, my B&B provided me with dinner tonight (and Trevor is staying somewhere else) as I'm all small talked out.  We are walking some of the way together tomorrow too but he's staying somewhere along the way whereas I'm to be collected by my landlady here and brought back as there is no B&B suitable near my stopping point tomorrow.

The B&B here is very pleasant.  I have a huge room with fantastic views.  I've even been supplied with a set of binoculars.  Again, they are set up for walkers with drying rooms and places to take off boots.  I ended up having to be hosed off in the garden before even getting onto the porch I was so encased in mud.   Then when I had my shower I got into it with my hiking pants still on to rinse of the last of the mud.  I hope I didn't clog the drain.

I didn't have much in the way of lunch today, just an apple and chocolate bar, like yesterday.  I made up for my abstemiousness at dinner.  I dined in solitary splendour, all the other guests here having chosen to eat out.  I think half board for at least one night here is a requirement.  In any case, my landlady knows how to feed walkers.  I had roast turkey with gravy, roast potatoes, peas (of course), carrots and cauliflower cheese.  There was enough to feed 2 normal people so I ate 3/4 of it.  Then came dessert, which was strawberries with clotted cream.  Again, enough for 2 but this time I scarfed the lot.  Fruit is good for you.

The fog has rolled in again tonight but there is no foghorn here to lull me to sleep.