With better planning I’d have known that a few hours after Falmouth there is another crossing over the Helford. Now, I did know of the crossing from before but I hadn’t appreciated how far away it was, or to be honest, how near.

It sort of sits in a no man’s land in terms of the timings for the day as if you miss it then you’re stuck there at 5pm with nowhere obvious to stay. The alternative is to not even attempt to catch it and hold way short and cross the next day. But then that is a very short day.

I sort of stumbled into the dilemma but soon found myself rushing to catch the last ferry which I knew was roughly 4:45pm. Luckily I made it with a few minutes to spare. I’m not sure what I’d have done if I’d missed it.

Change of change of plan

I was very slow getting ready in the morning. Proper taking my time. I was partially paralysed by some worries at home that turned out to be unfounded. It’s funny how things you have no control over can stop you in your tracks. And I hadn’t looked at bus times either, mainly due to the bad internet connection, but partly because I didn’t get around to it. I thought there’d be at least one bus an hour to St Mawes so an hour was the longest I’d have to wait.

Unfortunately this turned out to be incorrect and I’d have to wait nearly two hours for the bus and then another hour for the bus ride so I decided instead to walk the 2.5 miles to the ferry. I wasn’t too upset because this seemed like a better way to travel. There’s sometime special about travelling over water.

I’ve got a confession here. I kept my watch tracking for the whole of the ferry ride. Well, all of the ferry rides. So I’ve got slightly exaggerated figures for my mileage for the day. However, I didn’t track the walk from my house to the station (which feels like years ago), or my walk through London, so I think I’m not being too dishonest.

A little rushed at the end

The path through and out of Falmouth is nice and easy and, if you didn’t need anything, good time can be made here. It seemed easier this time and I stopped at a cafe to get breakfast, a Tesco to get sandwiches and then a very empty coop to get an ice lolly. They’re still tasting really good. Although no Calipo this time – I had to settle for a fruit pastel lolly. I took my time to enjoy that and then it was the rush for the ferry.

I really enjoyed the ferry ride. The captain was very nice and told me he’d walked the coastal path but had few pictures of himself, so took my phone and made a video for me. He was a very kind man. I wonder how easy it is to become a ferry driver. I think I’d like it.

Missed low tide again

After Falmouth, to get to the Helford ferry and also to pass Gillian harbour, there is the need to walk inland for a long way. With Helford I’d say it’s a couple of hours to get there after rounding the headland.

Gillian does not have a ferry so unless it’s low tide when you arrive you are forced to walk about 4 miles to get round. Apparently there are stepping stones that make a shortcut but these were well underwater by the time I got there. However, this section was still a pleasure compared with last time when everything was flooded and even diversions seemed to have diversions. So I was counting my blessings really.

I did get nervous

As soon as I left Gillian I was on the lookout for a camping spot and for several hours I drew a blank. I just couldn’t find anywhere suitable. I wasn’t nervous though, I don’t do that anymore.

I do feel a little envious when I see family and friends out in the villages, relaxing over a drink, knowing what they’re doing, and I’m there without a clue. I’m wondering if I’ll have anywhere suitable to sleep. I normally feel like I win because I end up with a terrific spot, overlooking something spectacular, and normally feeling like I’m winning at life.

Tonight I cut it very fine. I ended up walking much further than I wanted to, which I suppose is good in the long run, but it was all getting a bit tense.

But finally, after I got to Porthallow at 9:30, and as the path diverts inland, I turned the wrong way and by accident found myself in a woodland. This’ll do.