Date: 20180527
Time: 9:50 – 15:00
Distance: 18.0 km
Stay: Coombe Barton Inn, Crackington Haven
Walk
Today a more relaxed route. Although there were a few climbs at the last section. Basically everything that a South West Coast Path walk should have:
- Beautiful views – check!
- Steep slopes – check!
- Walking on top of the world – check!
- Nice weather – check!
- Bridges over streams that end up in the sea – check!
- Coffee halfway – check!
- Beach – check!
- Waterfalls – check!
- 300 million year old rocks, which are folded zig-zag – check!
- Stairs – check! check! check!
- Other hikers to chat with – check!
- Pub at the end – check!
Something more about those rocks. The rocks are about 300 million years old and made up of the sedimentary rocks sandstone and shale (mud and other minerals). They were formed in the Carboniferous Period. Over the years the rock layers have become squashed and folded by the movement of the earth’s crust (the tectonic plates) to produce almost vertical strata in some places.
The cliffs at Millook Haven are spectacular, with extensive chevron (zig-zag) folding.
Weather
And again perfect walking weather. Cloudy, occasionally sunny and a nice temperature. Although there were occasionally dark clouds, it has remained completely dry.
It was blowing even faster today than yesterday. That was certainly a challenge in certain parts (where it went down steeply both on the left and on the right). Fortunately, the path was wide enough here.
Lyric of the day
Because there was so much wind today and because in the end we are no more than dust, today’s lyrics are from Kansas, Dust in the Wind:
I close my eyes only for a moment, and the moment’s gone
All my dreams pass before my eyes, a curiosity
Dust in the wind
All they are is dust in the wind
Same old song
Just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do crumbles to the ground
Though we refuse to see
Dust in the wind
All we are is dust in the wind
Now don’t hang on
Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
It slips away
And all your money won’t another minute buy
Dust in the wind
All we are is dust in the wind
(All we are is dust in the wind)
Dust in the wind
(Everything is dust in the wind)
Everything is dust in the wind
(In the wind)
This is my 10th walking day on the South West Coast Path. And a heavy stage is up for today. All documentation that I have (see 
The first part is very relaxed, at least after the initial climb. I walk without too many height differences on top off the cliffs and through meadows. On top of the world.
Then I am suddenly caught up. That is special, usually I am the one who passes people. It is someone who runs the part that I am walking today. I thought I was sweating a lot, but he is soaking wet from head to toe. When we talk for a moment, there is a constant stream of fluid from his cap. Am I glad that I can walk.
I was not planning to walk to Morwenstow, the route of today is long enough. However, there is a diversion because part of the Coast Path is impassable. This diversion is via Morwenstow. So if I am already there, then it is time for coffee at the Rectory Farm Tearoom.
And again I come across a hut, a very small hut this time, Hawker’s Hut. This hut was made of driftwood by a local clergyman. And again to get inspiration for poems (or to smoke opium). I wonder which one it was…
