Day 22: Coves and seals

Start: Penzance

End: Porthleven

Miles: 14

Total miles: 287

After a restful day and lots of refueling I was ready to continue walking. After much deliberation, Sam decided to complete just one more day so he could beat his total mile record. It must have been a challenge walking past the train station that would take him home. The walk from Penzance to Marazion was level and easy, the progress was much quicker when there aren't boulders to be contended with. St Micheal's Mount dominated the Bay, we admired from afar not wanting to add additional miles.

The route followed a series of coves, where we spotted a seal swimming close to some rocks. We rested in Praa Sands and watched a sparrowhawk catch prey, while distressed seaguls circled the area. After a few steep ascents on steps, Porthleven was in site and we arrived at a cafe in the harbour for fresh crab and prawn sandwiches. Today felt like a gentle reintroduction to the coast path after my rest day.

Sam has now definitely finished and will leave from Portleven tomorrow, escaping the heat wave. He faced the hot weather, big ascents and rocky terrain. Despite this he still managed to beat his total hiking mile record. I have decided to let the people joining me for stretches of the path write their own entry on how they found it. Here's Sam's take:

"I have finished my stretch of the coast path, walking 98 miles from Newquay to Porthleven, and am ready to sleep for the whole train ride home. When Amy asked me to write about what I got from the walk, I don't think that sunburn and sore shoulders are the answers she is after! I do feel proud though, as it's the longest I've walked and definitely across the hardest terrain, especially the rocky stretch from St Ives to Pendeen. I'm very glad to have done this stretch, but I'm happy not to have to see another valley anytime soon!

Favourite bits:

-Looking back across the bays to see how far we'd come each day

-Seeing seals, sparrowhawks and admiring the Cornish coastline

-Cream teas

Least favourite bits

-Shade hasn't been invented in Cornwall yet, hopefully soon

Overall it's been a great experience and I'm in awe of what Amy has already achieved and have no doubt I'll be collecting her from Poole in a few weeks after she's done the full 630!"

Tomorrow I'll return to solo mode and begin my walk around the Lizard Pennisula, reach my 300 mile mark and begin edging towards the half way marker. The upcoming heat will likely slow me down and shorten my days. But I'll make up the progress in the coming weeks. Now for some rest and back to the daily excitement of choosing my dehydrated meal.