SWCP: Tintagel to Port Isaac

 

Tough day today - lots of up and down towards the end of  the walk. We caught the 7.10 bus to Tintagel in an attempt to avoid the promised afternoon rain, but still got caught in it just after midday. My boots proved woefully waterproof and I had squelchy socks, but fortunately the rain only started in earnest a couple of hours before the end. Saw lovely black lambs and black calves today. Skylarks and gulls. Great crashing waves and a few surfers. Even some blue sky, first thing.

Arrived in Port Isaac at 2.30 and had a cream tea before catching the 4 o’clock bus back to our rather chilly Airbnb. Managed to get the heating on and each had a lovely, restorative hot bath.

Pretty good weather as we set off at 7.30 am(!)

The highly unusual sight of an empty Tintagle Castle site - doesn't open till 10 o'clock.

Lots of up and down

A pause for breath

Now the rain's started.

Port Isaac tantalised us from a distance for many miles.
It looked close, but alas those hills...

Quick rest at Port Gaverne beach - almost at Port Isaac. Just one more hill to go.

Yay!!!

Some Doc Martin buildings in the distance

On arrival in Port Isaac, we had a cream tea and listened to our second unsolicited life story of the day, from the cafe owner. (The first one was from a random guy where we stopped for a coffee in Port William.)

Then a half hour bus back to Port Isaac. I was in charge of ringing the bell. Laura was crevée.

Back to the Airbnb at 4.30, managed to get the radiators on (hallelujah!) and it's raining again. Wondering how tomorrow will go - same sort of distance and ascent as today, and my knee ligaments aren't very happy on the downward slopes. Some of those today were not much fun at all - slippery after the rain and covered in loose bits of stone and slate. Tricky even with poles. Oh well, we shall see!