I moved into my current house about eleven years ago. In that time I’ve decorated a lot of the rooms, changing them from plain white to other colours. All the rooms for the boys have been done and also the lounge. I’ve also refitted the bathrooms (with relative success as I’m not a plumber) and tweaked the kitchen layout. Although, and I don’t know if this is a typical trait, with the bathrooms and kitchen I never quite finish. They’re functioning rooms, and look ok, but there’s always the odd little job left, like paining the coving or repainting a door frame, which I never get around to.

I’ve not touched my bedroom though. It’s still just plain white with some cracks in the corners that you get from new houses when they’re drying out. I hope that’s all the cracks are anyway.

Today I spent a lot of time talking and sitting. My daily mileage wasn’t very high both today or yesterday as I was nursing my knee but it did mean that I’ve had the opportunity to look out to sea a lot. And I think one of the things that catches my eye is the colour of the sea. It never looks quite the same when I take a picture although maybe the videos I’ve been making show it up better. But the colours always take my breath away, and I’m not sure why, but it always makes me think that I need to decorate my bedroom.

I’m not sure the colour would work on all the walls but maybe if I could have a large picture above the bed with the sea I imagine it’ll make the room something special. A nice place to relax. Although I’m not very good at decorating so the idea might be greater than the implementation.

Sitting down

I know I mention it a lot but I am struggling a bit with my knee. I was speaking to a couple while I was sat down, having another long break, and I told them about my blog. I told them it was mainly me moaning about my knee. I hope that’s not entirely true but I like to get them ready for the worst case scenario.

These rests though have been some of the best parts of the walk. For a start, I really get to relax in my surroundings. It’s nice to just take the time. I do feel guilty that a lot of the world are working and I get to just sit and watch the sea. But not guilty enough to do anything different.

Secondly, people stop to talk to me. At a minimum they normally check I’m ok but often this will develop into a long chat. There is literally no one I’ve spoken to on this trip where I’d try to avoid them in the future.

And finally, I love this part of the coast. Sure, it’s a little busy around Kynance Cove but other than that it’s very quiet and feels quite undisturbed. It feels so natural and remote. There are memories for me here as well which is bitter sweet when you’re walking alone. I try to focus on the sweet.

People power

My spirits have been kept so high today by the people I have met. Everyone has been so kind but also jolly and uplifting. I’ve met a range of people from those walking the path, people on holiday, and locals. I’ve loved every conversation. Each interaction has left me in a better place than where I had been. I could often feel myself beaming after meeting them.

That’s one of the great things about walking. It really makes you think. Makes you consider other ways of life. It feels like it opens up new possibilities. As a lady I met at breakfast said, it’s important to have some dreams or ideas, even if they don’t work out, it’ll still leave you in a better place afterwards.

I think all these encounters got me through today. If I’d been alone all day I’m not sure what would have happened. The positivity of all these people drove me on. And they actually seemed to care about me.

My birthday present

I didn’t originally get anything for my birthday. I suppose you could argue that it was my own fault for going away.

So I was very grateful to Jenny that she booked a hotel for me in Porthleven. It did feel like a bit of a cop out but I was very glad that I had somewhere to go. It also meant that I was relaxed about the walk today so only had to concentrate on walking and not getting supplies and finding somewhere to camp. She really helped me out. I recommend having belated presents, they’re more useful. And that’s now my excuse for not giving gifts on other peoples birthdays.

The walk from the Lizard to Porthleven doesn’t look too far. In fact, not long after the Lizard you can see as far as Penzance and even Gwennap Head (which is just around the corner from Lands End). But it’s a bit further than it looks because there are a few bays to walk around and, of course, it does go up and down a bit. It’s a nice walk though. I think around 15 miles. And there are enough flat bits to help you recover from each climb. It was probably the idea day for this stage in my trip.

But my main memory, well it has to be all the kind people.