The Final Countdown: Walks 21-26
Finishing the final six walks came at the height of the July heatwave. My library duties slowed down by July 10th, leaving just a week left of term supporting Curriculum Enrichment Week. Despite this, I was behind schedule and tied up with school proms and end of term performances. Was I going to meet my target of finishing by 31st July? I had no choice but to push on despite the high temperatures.
Walk 21: Bassett's Cove to Gwithian and back (11.8 miles)
Starting early on Saturday 11th July, I left the dogs at home due to the heat and set off on a familiar route with stunning views. I was desperate to get to water and bathe my hot feet but the views were spectacular. I met a guy with a powerful camera lens who tried to show me a pod of dolphins out to sea but I could only spot the crowd of birds accompanying them which I was gutted about. However, I did spot several seals.
This route isn't too challenging in terms of gradient, which was good considering the temperature. My total walking time was just under 3 hours and I was home before lunch.
Walk 22: Bassett's Cove to Gwithian and back repeated (11.8 miles)
The first day of the summer holidays (Saturday 18th July) and I had 5 walks still to complete in 14 days. I'd enjoyed my walk the previous week so much, I decided to repeat it. This time it wasn't quite so blistering hot - but still too hot to take the dogs - and the tide was in instead of out. This meant that when I arrived at Godrevy, the beach was a perfect stop for a quiet, deserted paddle - if only I'd bought my swim stuff!
Walk 23: Treadmill on Wednesday 22nd July.
The weather was cloudier and cooler so I grabbed the fan and smashed over 11 miles on the treadmill in 15 minute chunks, whilst watching a couple of films I hadn't watched in a while. For once, it felt enjoyable (almost!) and manageable.
Walk 24: Bassett's Cove to Gwithian and back repeated (11.8 miles)
Saturday 25th July. I was keen to repeat this walk one more time as the views just never disappoint and the parking is free - quite a key factor in the summer. Again, this week was cooler than it had been previously been. I did feel a bit guilty that I could have been walking part of the coastline I hadn't walked before, which was my original aim. However, this remained logistically challenging on my own and would have taken up the whole day. With Cornwall so busy, I decided to continue focusing on the overall mileage and I hope to pick up walking the whole of the actual Coastline again at some point in the not-too distant future.
Walk 25: Treadmill on Wednesday 29th July
It was boiling hot - our house is a sauna - and this one was hell on Earth, even with the fan. I finally completed my 11th fifteen-minute chunk, felt a bit wobbly and went for a cold shower vowing to not use the treadmill in the heat ever again. I didn't use it for the rest of the summer!
Walk 26: Portreath to Scorrier and back along the Bissoe trail (12 miles approx)
Ready for a change and as much shade as possible, I parked up at Portreath at 7.30am on Friday 31st July ready for my last walk of the challenge. I followed the trail from Portreath Harbour, right up to Rodda's in Scorrier. At this point, I realised that I had covered more distance than I thought, so I pressed on over the A30 until I reached the woods near Scorrier house. Half a mile into the woods, I turned back and made my final return to the car. It was an enjoyable route, even without the views of the coast, and my old running ground. (My eyes water at the thought of running it now.) Once back at the habour, I filmed my last social media video and went home to celebrate, proud that I had stepped up at the end to walk 55 miles in 14 days.
CHALLENGE COMPLETED ON JULY 31st 2026: 288 miles in 26 miles in 6 months.
Any donations gratefully received: Library fundraising page
