Days 3 & 4: Botallack to Hayle Estuary

At the end of Day 4 I have now clocked up 58 miles (according to my phone). These last two days have been great walking without my backpack. Over the next few days I'll take a look at trying to reduce the weight of my backpack so I can work my way up to the full load for once Martin has left.

Yesterday (Day 3) featured hail, sun and, a stiff cold easterly wind but today (Day 4) the glorious sun returned despite a strong bitter wind.So far, wrens, Cornish choughs, and stonechats have kept me company, with a beautiful wheatear leading me along for awhile on Day 4. And the seals have made an appearance with their heads up in the water while they sleep.

Day 3: Botallack to Zennor

Day 4: Zennor to Hayle Estuary

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Choosing the Route

Since I was first diagnosed with CLL, and started long distance walking, I've been fortunate enough to walk the North and South Downs Ways (2018), the Norfolk Coastal Path (2019), Coast to Coast (2021), the Menorcan Coastal Path and the Ridgeway (2023), the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, the Dales Highway and the Cotswold Way (2024). In amongst those, I walked the Pennine Way (2020) and the South West Coastal Path (2022) for charity. In walking these routes, I realised that I love walking on my own, enjoy being immersed in the surroundings around me, able to go at my own pace, stop, observe, and simply be. I love the high moors and mountains but also our beautiful rugged coast - especially the north Cornwall coastline. I very much wanted to re-walk that part of the South West Coastal Path but extended to Penzance - a stretch with which I had been particularly taken. I also wanted to re-walk the Pennine Way - eventually postponing this so as to incorporate it into t...

The Home Stretch: Looking back on my journey so far

I can’t quite believe I’m writing this… but there are only 19 days left of this wild, beautiful, crazy journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats! In some ways, it feels like I’ve been walking forever - through rain or shine I have so far walked 1,110 miles! And yet, I can still remember the excitement and the nerves I felt setting off at the very bottom of Cornwall - but that does seem a lifetime away. But this isn’t just about the miles. It never was. It’s been about the extraordinary and varied natural world of the British Isles, which I’ve had the chance to really savour at leisure. It’s been about the people I have met and the huge range of conversations and support I’ve had. It’s been knowing that my father is meticulously following me on the map with a piece of precious bluejohn and willing me on every step of the way - as have so many others. But most of all it’s been about remembering my beautiful, wise and ever-patient mother, who I will always treasure ...

Ready, Steady, GO!

On Saturday 15th March I started my big adventure! 2 days in and I have completed the first 32 miles from Penzance to Botallack. I had planned to walk 12 miles each day but my phone says I've done more like 16. The weather has been fantastic but I am very tired. Clearly I am still building my fitness up after the op but I a sure I will get there step-by-step! The scenery is everything and more than I remembered. This part of the South West Coastal Path is so beautiful but it is certainly tough walking. Tomorrow is planned to be a difficult stretch from Botallack to St Ives but Martin will come and see how I am doing at Zennor and we will go from there. I'm going to have a break from the backpack tomorrow to help me along as it felt very heavy today.

Walking Lands End to John O'Groats 2025 for Alzheimer's Society

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