Today was cloudy and showers were forecast, but we were fortunate to miss them. The walk was shorter and relatively easy, which I was pleased about as I still have sore shoulders! We left the golf course on a route across fields, crossing a number of stiles, then briefly on the coastal path, before crossing further fields and lanes to Padstow, where we stopped for coffee.

The SW coastal path crosses the Camel Estuary from Padstow to Rock via the ferry. However, the purists on the LEJOG don’t use public transport – we took the Camel Trail for five miles of flat walking along the river to Wadebridge!

If we missed the spectacular coastal scenery of yesterday, we were somewhat compensated by the abundance of wildflowers along the banks of our route. From the yellow gorse (which we discovered smells of coconut) and hawthorn, to primroses, violets, red campion, wild geranium, stitchwort and early purple orchids (the latter I had to look up on my app!).

We arrived at the Swan Inn in time for a late lunch, so a free afternoon!

A Backward Glance

Today we turned our backs to the sea and headed into fields, lanes and some minor roads so, opportunity for convivial chat – you’d think. However, unknown to me Carol has an ‘AI’ walking companion from ‘Komoot’ who always has something more important to say than me, so I shouldn’t talk less a word of his wisdom should be missed. I just followed about three metres behind listening in on their conversation (something I’m quite good at), to him saying “turn left in six hundred feet” and Carol responding “but where?” and him replying “where a path joins the road”…….

By the time we reached The Camel Trail, it was time to turn him off and normal banter resumed, but to tell the truth Carol was more interested in weeds growing alongside the path. There was quite an assortment, I must admit, but my favourite is the ‘Dandelion’ and there were a lot of them. These days they’re about as popular in a garden as I am at a party, everyone is annoyed when they turn up. We don’t understand why our appearance is so offensive, but we always bring out the worst in people and get shouted at and attacked just for being around. I’m serious, once at a friends’ New Years’ party I was quickly physically uprooted after planting myself next to a blooming friend of the hostess then tossed into an inconspicuous corner. Children love us though and, although forbidden, pick at our heads and blow their contents all over the grown ups’ neat narrow borders. We also saw primroses, bluebells, a crisp packet and a dead man’s finger!
Yep,
You’ll be surprised what you may see
On a simple walk in our country
Yep!