It was with a sentimental heart at 0825 on Saturday morning we were walking through the streets of Truro for the final time. Having spent the previous 4 nights here, I felt quite attached to the city. We had warm friendly greetings by so many Cornish locals, enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Hooked fish restaurant, live folk music at the Old Tavern, and made an evening to visit to Falmouth for a sauna. Truro allowed me space and time to recuperate from the first long leg of the journey. It was here I first used a public launderette, it was here where I replaced my holey waking boots for a fabulous brand new pair and the staff at Cotswolds were the most helpful of any of the branches I’ve been to, and it was here where I had a wonderful massage at Chinese Massage Truro getting all the knots out of my back, from carrying an overloaded pack. 

For the second main leg of the journey we were to walk 43 miles from Truro to Downderry, with an overnight in Par. 

The initial conditions were quite poor, foggy and wet, but we marched at a fair old pace. About 4 miles in we found a lovely pasty shop that gave us plenty of energy for the next few hills. The next 5 miles were reasonably bucolic, yet involving a nasty stretch on the A390 where there was no proper pavement. But we soon found our way along country roads, and Tess enjoyed being off lead for the most part. 

Another stretch on the A road took us into St Austell and a late lunch of a BLT bagel gave everyone the final spur of energy helped by the amazing scenery surrounding the small harbor village of Charlestown where Ben treated me to the most wonderful elderberry ice cream. The last few miles we enjoyed fresh coastal views. Sasha stopped for a swim at Carlyon Bay, whilst I was keen to push on through a large seaside industrial complex, across a disintegrating metal bridge and to our bed for the night The Royal Inn in Par.