At breakfast I chatted with a trio of Americans who were doing a short 5-day walk on the Path. The day before they had left The Lizard at 9a and didn’t get in to Coverack till 8pm!!! Needless to say they were finding it very difficult.

Yesterday I did the same walk 8a-2p and felt pretty good at the end. Had tea&cake upon arrival at the BnB and rested all afternoon.

Today I walked 8a-2p again, and am done in. The difference? My walk ended at the wonderful Trebah Gardens (and Cafe!) so strolled that for 2 hours (and 2 more miles), then once in Falmouth it was another mile to my hotel, arriving at 6p. Not overly huge mileage but boy, dragging out the day till dinner time exhausted me.

The first 2 miles were a combo of walking right by the beach or being separated from it by a hedge and trotting on stepping stones over 100’s of yards of dried mud. By 3.5 miles I was inland on a new diversion around a working quarry. Cutting through farmer’s fields and along quiet country lanes. Others on FB complained about leaving the coast but I relished not having to watch my footing every single step.

5 miles = Porthallow and the Halfway Marker! Then a bit more coast, then a bit more inland, then I was veering left down Gillan Harbour, looking for the ferry to cross the creek. Oh, and my pictures turned out great today so I’m going to post lots, lol.

The ferry/skiff dropped me at St. Anthony and I whipped around the little peninsula on the extremely overgrown path, and into the woods for a long, long time until the delightful village of Helford.

At Helford I had to hail another ferry across to Helford Passage. Unlike Gillan Creek where you can wade across at lower tides or walk an extra 1.5 miles around, Helford has no other option except a 13 mile detour. And, the ferry has been a part of local life for over a thousand years!

Helford Passage was the end of my official stage, yet I had a 1/2 mile walk up to the bus stop. I waffled about seeing Trebah Gardens but the bus was there waiting at the stop so I got on. Told the driver about my indecision and he convinced me I had to see them (he was biased as he worked there in college) and even gave me a free ride to the next stop to the front entrance!

Okay, just a few more pictures….