Today started badly: perhaps the fish chowder last night was a mistake, as I had a gippy tummy! After numerous trips to the bathroom, we went to Liz and Paul’s lodgings for breakfast. I dosed with Imodium and decided to be cautious with food, despite Lizzie telling me that calories are important on a long walk!

However, the sun shone, after a damp start!

The walk started as a less interesting one, especially walking round the Hayle Estuary. However, by the time we reached the long beach, the sun was shining and Otto was in his element exploring sea weed, shells and eventually caves!

We ended our walk in Gwithian, meeting up with Liz and family. Paul drove us to our very comfortable lodgings in Hayle, whilst Otto spent time with his cousins.

A Backward Glance

Leaving St. Ives, with memories of many enjoyable holidays spent on its beaches, eating pasties and walking its narrow streets, was not difficult. It’s too popular and frenetic for this old troglodyte now. Carol and I slowly climbed the extremely muddy path towards Carbis Bay while gulls effortlessly glided below us alongside the cliff edge. At Carbis Bay we were reunited with Otto and headed towards Hayle together, nearly all on tarmac, dodging speeding traffic to find safe passage along verges. (Hayle for motorists, Hell for walkers). After lunch we thankfully found our way to the beach quite quickly after unexpectedly meeting the rest of Otto’s kin on a bridge at the head of the estuary. The contrast was complete and, walking along the seashore, Otto was treasure hunting again. A cockle, cuttlefish bone and evidence of jelly fish. He was in jovial spirit exploring caves towards the end of our walk which was topped off by an ice cream and hot chocolate with all trimmings at the ‘Jam Pot’. Carol and I were then driven to our evening lodgings by Paul while Otto, still full of energy, stayed behind and took Hugh and Delia to explore more beach caves.