It’s been really windy today. Sometimes so windy that I’ve not been able to walk in a straight line. Some of the path goes very near to sheer drops so it has been a little nerve racking at times but fortunately the wind has mainly been blowing off the sea so pushing me away from the edge. This is why I say I prefer rain to wind. It’s relatively easy to dry your clothes but you can’t un-fall off a cliff.

The thing that caught my eye today was the birds. When I was younger I used to do a bit of flying in light aircraft and on a day like this we’d definitely stay on the ground. But these birds, they didn’t seem affected by it at all. Dare I say, they seemed to enjoy it. Souring up on the updrafts and then folding their wings and diving down. Sometimes hovering or flying in some kind of formation.

I could see the curve and shape of their wings and how perfect they looked. I know seagulls can be a pain while trying to steal your fish and chips or emptying a bin, but they can’t half fly well. I wondered two things. How did that shape develop by chance. I know it’s evolution but it’s still amazing. And the other thing, how did the birds get so good at flying. It took me hours of lessons and I used to struggle in slightly turbulent conditions, but these birds can fly with tremendous skill and accuracy in extreme conditions with no lessons. It’s absolutely amazing. I was struggling to even walk in a straight line.

I think I’d like to be a bird.

Wet feet

I’ll be honest, it was a tough day. I got so cold and wet very early in the walk I did worry if I’d be able to carry on.

The problem really was the low tide bridge. I got there far too early and got very wet in the rain waiting for the water level to drop. I then walked over while it was still slightly submerged, drenching my feet. This was probably a mistake but I wanted to make some progress. Then I had driving rain, which actually hurt, which sort of tried to finish me off. All the water made my phone wet so I couldn’t use it to film or send location updates for my website. It was really looking quite bleak.

Fortunately, as I got into Newquay, I was slightly shielded from the weather, and the rain eased. I then warmed up a bit as a I walked. I cheered up.

Just before this a lovely old couple drove past me and asked if I wanted a lift. So kind of them. Obviously I had to say no but I really appreciated the offer.

Get your ducks in a row

So it was unpleasant. I suppose there was no denying that. All I could do was make sure that I did everything I had to, in terms of supplies, eating and drinking, and just keep on walking. And do you know what, that sort of worked. Despite the conditions I felt ok.

I’d stopped for something to eat, despite not feeling like stopping, stopped again at Tesco Express for food for later, and then carried on. It made me feel in control and I now knew I didn’t need to stop again, unless I wanted to, until I got to the wind free, shower equipped, with bar, youth hostel.

Like a movie

For all its negatives, the day did have one thing going for it. The waves. I don’t think I’ve even seen waves so big and spectacular. I can’t put into words how impressive they were. The power, the fierceness, the beauty. It really was something.

The few people that I did see on the path were all drawn to them, all stopping constantly to take a look. Even once I got to the hostel, from the window all I could see was miles of rolling, breaking, waves. Quite amazing. Of course I tried to capture all this on camera but it really did it no justice.

I imagined what it’d be like to be in the sea at this time. Even far out it looked so ferocious that I doubt anyone could last more than a few seconds. Beautiful but totally deadly. Nature really is quite incredible.

Funnily enough, I didn’t see any boats today.

On the limit

I’m writing this so I obviously made it through the day, but it was hard work. In places, the wind was so strong it made it hard to walk in the direction I wanted.

Sometimes though, on some uphills, it did give a little power assistance as it was from the side but also from behind a little. I found I was using my left pole to aid forward motion and my right one to keep me upright. People talk about type 2 fun, which is only fun when you look back on it, I’m not sure what type this was.

The saving grace was this section is quite an easy work, relatively, so it was probably one of the better days for those conditions. I do worry how I’d handle multiple days like that. I like to think I’d be ok but I’m not sure. But maybe the pain of failing would outweigh the desire to give up.

I got through what was put in front of me though. I didn’t give up, I just carried on, and as the day went on, and I got used to it, I felt happy enough. So I’ll compliment myself for that. I would say there was no moaning, but there was a little. I think the only thing I’d change would be the bridge crossing as it was a bit daft getting so wet at that point. I probably should have planned that better. Oh well!