Campsite: Wild Camping on a secluded cliff
Campsite cost: £0
Tip: A good section to wild camp is in-between Porthleven beach and Mullion, as long as you are out the way and leave no trace.
A big day - I passed the 100 mile mark and did my first wild camp on the trail!
Passed the 100 mile mark today!
I passed through Kenneggy Beach which was filled with sleeping seagulls. Not one person was on the beach so the birds had it to themselves. I had a little stomach ache last night but thankfully it had gone by the morning.
I started using both hiking poles as my knees were hurting a bit. This was a surprise to me as I generally was in good shape but I guess the weight of the backpack and terrain was putting pressure on my joints. I discovered I walked much quicker with poles, as well as the added benefit of working out my whole body. By the next day my knee pain was gone and I now always walk with both poles when I hike. If you have knee issues too, hiking poles could help.
I passed lots of empty beaches filled with undisturbed sleeping seagulls
Not long after Kenneggy, I had to walk over Praa Sands beach. Since day one I learnt walking on sand is to be avoided if possible. It makes walking double hard as your feet sink and slide backwards so you have to exert more energy to move forward. I had no choice as the route was this way but tried to get up on grassy parts of the sand dunes as much as possible.
I stopped off in a Cornish cafe in Porthleven for a bite to eat
I was feeling upbeat and enjoying the amazing sunshine. I ran out of gas to cook with, but wasn't worried. I felt very much in the flow. I thought it would be possible to just eat in cafes and buy cooked food where possible. I knew I could pick up gas in Falmouth when I got there.
Porthleven town
I paused in Porthleven beach to have a cup of tea, eat some hot food and fruit. I spoke to someone else who was doing this section of the SWCP and they were planning on wild camping in-between Porthleven Beach and Mullion. This gave me confidence that if I saw a spot I would do the same. Porthleven beach is quite a stretch and not long after I passed over it, I looked for a camping ground.
Views from my tent
I found a secluded camping spot on the cliffs, out of the way. It was the most magical evening with a pink sunset. No one else was around and I could only hear the sea. I slept to the sound of the waves and wasn’t nervous at all.
