South West Coast Path: Part 5 Fowey to Pentewan Sands

Maya Plass
5 days ago
2 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Sunny coastal cove with small boats in a sheltered harbor, green cliffs and calm blue sea under a clear sky. — Polkerris Harbour

Fowey to Pentewan Sands - 26km 8 ours

Total so far: 101km 11% of total SWCP

BOF! Today was challenging.

It was also beautiful, breathtaking, heartwarming… but mostly, it was tough.

This section was all uppy-downy. There was no flat, just relentless climbing and descending. Endless steep steps in blazing sunshine, with somewhere between the teensiest breeze and absolutely no breeze at all. 🥵

I got into the habit of tackling the steps three at a time, saying out loud:

"1… 2… 3… stop… breathe… and feel the breeze." I didn't always feel the breeze, but it definitely helped.

One of the loveliest moments of the day came in a little village, where a very sweet elderly gentleman, who had the unmistakable air of a village vicar, stopped me and said, "What an incredible achievement to walk from Fowey. Can I fill your water bottles?" He scurried off, splashed water over himself in the process, filled my bottles and sent me on my way with a heartfelt, "God bless you." It was such a simple act of kindness, but exactly what I needed.

I also met a lovely couple who were in their sixth year of completing the South West Coast Path. They cheerfully told me they hoped it didn't take much longer because they'd made a pact that if one of them died before they finished, the survivor would carry the other's ashes. They'd worked out the ashes would weigh around 4.6kg, so they'd both decided they'd much rather stay alive.

Then there was a lovely mum and her twin daughters, who are walking the entire South West Coast Path in 42 days without stopping. Hardcore.

Looking back, I think I made the mistake of setting myself an ambitious target in very hot conditions. I was determined to reach Mevagissey in time for the 5.10pm ferry, and instead of simply enjoying the journey, I found myself chasing the clock and not listening to my body.

I stopped at Pentewan, just before Mevagissey, caught the bus the last little bit… and still made the ferry. I had nothing left in the tank.

Watching the coastline from the sea on the journey back was incredible. In my completely exhausted state, it was mind-blowing to look back at the endlessly rolling cliffs and realise just how far I'd walked. They just kept going.

The other exciting milestone is that I've now passed 100km and reached 11% of the South West Coast Path.

Only 89% to go! 🤪

Lessons from the Coast Path

The simple kindness of someone filling your water bottle can completely change your day.
When the going gets tough take three steps, stop, breathe and feel the sea breeze.