Rock to Newquay – Eyup ‘Oss!! Third Blog Today

Up early to get the ferry to Padstow. I packed and Derek offered me a cup of tea. I thanked the lady in the caravan for the offer of coffee but I had prearranged commitments. What’s it like when your dance card is full!!

Thanks Derek. A very decent man.

It took me twenty minutes down to the quay, and then I realised that today was the first of May. May Day in Padstow. Bloody Ell! Obby Oss!

The one day of the year where a pagan celebration of the arrival of summer grips the entire town and two ancient hobby horses are pushed around by the locals. Amazingly historical and impressive. I’d struck upon it by accident!

It was very early but the vibe was electric.

I reluctantly set off for the far coast. And made it quickly.

I’m back on the coastal path, the weather is clear and I’m enjoying this enormously.

I’m reinvigorated. Largely by a turn in the weather, the kindness of strangers, the sense of history and latter day relevance in pagan ritual.

And the beauty of Bedruthan Steps. As children Deb and myself referred to them as Bedridden Steps. 1967, camping in Newquay with my Che Guevara T shirt and boyish charm. Deluded get.

A long walk but this means I can get a rest day in Newquay, clean all my stuff, laundry too, dry the tarp and catch up on my blogs.

Every mile gives another perspective of this most beautiful of coastlines.

And now I can’t see Lundy Island any more but I can see the headland that houses St Ives, in the very far distance. Signalling the arrival in the next few days of my dear friend David Kilby. My Everest buddy. But not yet.

I found my hotel – £39 for the night. Double bed and en suite. Oooooh! A bit ropey but there’s no goat shit on the floor. Not until this old goat’s finished!

I’m going to pass my rest day here now I’ve caught up on my schedule.

Weren’t ABC great. And Beefheart, Beach Boys, Cream, Pink Floyd, Beatles (obviously), Maccabees, Loudon, Bob Dylan, Leonard, the Who, Bowie, Arctics, Richard Hawley, Eagles, Bruce.

What a time to be alive.

I’ll rejoin you again in two days when I’m on the road again. Thanks Canned Heat. When I’m going up the country. Thanks Canned Heat.

Night night.