Coastalong for WaterAid 2007.
The challenge; we had to walk ten miles on the Cornish Coast Path and into and out of the many coves on the way, from Portholland to Mevagissey. As you might expect final planning for such a task must start in the pub the night before! So it was that six of us, led by our president, Barrie and his wife June gathered in the Kings Head at Ruan Lanihorne on the beautiful Roseland peninsular last Friday evening the 14th September. The biggest problem that has to be solved in a walk such as this is how to position cars for the end of the walk but at the same time get all of the walkers to the start on time. That done we could start on the beer!
Saturday morning; was a perfect day for walking, bright sunshine but with a cool northerly wind keeping the temperature reasonable. By happy coincidence Jitesh and I arrived at the tiny settlement of East Portholland at exactly the same time as Barrie and June with Bob and Marg Croft. Boots on, photographs taken, we made our way up the first ascent on to the cliff above Portholland and heading for Porthluney Cove and on our way to Mevagissey. This first section was not too demanding as once on the cliff, the path is fairly level until the drop into Porthluney and we made good progress, getting the feel for cliff walking and enjoying the magnificent views.
The climb out of Porthluney is much more challenging first an uphill walk through two meadows and past a herd of long horned Highland cattle followed by a much steeper ascent up a long series of steps. A few more of the same and we arrived at Hemick Beach. There we stopped to help a group of horse riders; one of whom, a small boy of about 10, had allowed his horse to take him up on to a high bank about 10ft high on the side of the lane! Our good turn done, we set out for Dodman Point the highest cliff on our route, 360ft above sea level. The path rises very steeply out of the cove then dips a couple of times before the final climb to the headland. Dodman Point is dominated by a huge granite cross erected at the start of the 20th Century but also offers magnificent views of the coast back to St Anthony's Head with the Lizard Peninsular distantly visible to the west and to the east Gribben Head guarding the entry to Fowey and beyond Rame Head and the entry to Plymouth Sound.
After a well earned rest and the consumption of chocolate, apples and large quantities of water we set out on the last section before our lunch stop at Goran Haven. Most of the route was a gentle incline down, almost to sea level to join the footpath to Vault Beach. The Coast Path, however, frequently has one last surprise, we turned the point, thinking that we must be at our destination only to find we had another steep climb to the cliff top before an equally steep drop into Goran haven, we had been walking for the best part of three hours. Perhaps the most memorable part of our lunch stop was that the owner of the café, The Old Custom House would accept no money from us once she knew that we were walking for charity, simply asking us to put into the fund the value of our bill £42.00; a wonderfully generous gesture.
An hour later we were on our way, another steep climb out of Goran to the cliff top; fine walking and equally fine views over St Austell Bay, eventually arriving at Porth Mellon and one final uphill section, before walking down through narrow streets to the harbour at Mevagissey; one and a half hours after leaving Goran. The complete walk had taken four and a half hours walking time, had covered ten miles and a total height gain of at least 2000ft.
Saturday evening and we were in another great pub on the Roseland, the 17th century Roseland Inn at Philleigh where Jitesh had the largest portion of Cornish Clotted Cream ever seen on one plate! The rest of us were not far behind, the calories expended on the walk allowing for great indulgence.
What had we achieved? We had had a great weekend with great fellowship, we had enjoyed some of the most spectacular walking to be had anywhere in the country, we had met interesting and interested walkers on our way, one couple also sponsored us. We raised £750.00 for WaterAid. It is also good for you!
The next Coastalong Walk will be in September 2009, it is my hope that next time many more clubs might take up the challenge. This has to be one of the most satisfying and enjoyable ways of supporting a deserving charity and one long supported by Rotary.
Tony Hampton 19th September, 2007.
