Friday 24 June 2005
Click on a pic for larger version
Aerial picture
(Green field near bottom, right of centre OS 206750,089200)
I took a shortcut up the steep crag, but unfortunately the wrong side. I heard voices chattering loudly, I couldn't follow the conversation but one word sang out - "textiles". Ha!. They then walked past me 20 yards away just the other side of a bank of nettles, deep in conversation about having to climb all the way down the crag again.
I'd made contact with Steve on the mobile about half and hour previously. They had got to Tintagel, but anywhere level there was covered by hotels or caravan parks. Someone had suggested Bossiney just half a mile away but walking is hard on the North Cornish Coast Path.
It was a glorious evening and my kit had come off just after I'd left the village. Rounding the crag came the bronzed bodies and I introduced myself as Steve was trying to raise me on his mobile: "Zinn any noodists 'bout yer?", I asked. "Nope".
Melanie wanted to camp by the shore which was only a couple of hundred yards away, but I pointed out that the couple of hundred yards was vertical. We found a level spot, slumped and opened some beer I brought along.
I took some pix and they asked me if I would stay and join them in a meal. It was a marvellous evening and they told me what a good reception they've been having. One cafe asked them to leave, but the one next door insisted they came in and gave them breakfast.
Steve likes to work out the route as they go along and I must say that the Coastal Path is magnificent even though it is tough walking. I think I have persuaded them they must go nude in Bude, which would be the next staging post, I may be able to get some pix there if the weather holds out. Thunderstorms are forecast, which would please them, as today has been hot work.
