An odd start to the day. Having stayed at Trethorne Golf Club, breakfast was served in the clubhouse, a few hundred metres walk up a lane. On entering, expecting to find others tucking into a full English and chatting, I found a room of sullen looking people sitting in silence at individual tables with no food in sight. I took a seat and waited for breakfast service. Everyone avoided eye contact and did not speak a word. Eventually, I had to ask the chap closest to me if he’d been waiting long to be served. He looked flummoxed and told me this was the waiting room for a speed awareness course.
I sped away.
Having found the right room and stuffed my face, I headed to Launceston, with a quick visit to the castle and some shops.
The brief walk to Launceston included an interesting milestone as I passed 100 miles walking since Land’s End.
From here, I joined the Two Castles Trail, which formed the largest section of today’s walk. This trail goes from the Castle at Launceston to the one at Okehampton and includes emus.
Just beyond Launceston Rugby Club, I crossed Polson Bridge, taking me across the Tamar from Cornwall into Devon, giving today two milestones. It felt good to have the first county under my belt.
From this point on, the countryside was glorious for the remainder of the day.
Emerging from Welltown Farm, the trail converged with the Coast to Coast way for a while, before breaking away again at Lifton.
At Lewdown, the trail led me downhill to Lewtrenchard, where I had originally intended to stop for the night. Having no availability, I extended the walk a further 4 miles or so to today’s final destination.
The additional section of the walk was welcome, taking me through lovely woodland to Lew Mill, before climbing several hundred feet to the plateau of Galford Down.
From the moorland, the trail entered Burley Down Wood for a while, a handsome pine plantation, clearly popular with local dog walkers.
It was then a pleasant stroll down to the historic village of Lydford, where I checked in to the Castle Inn and had a delicious meal.
The Day 8 Vlog
Fundraising for MacMillan Cancer Support
As I walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats, I am hoping to raise £10,000 for MacMillan Cancer Support, who do such a wonderful job of supporting families through the most difficult times. If you are able to spare any amount and would like to donate to MacMillan, please do so through my Just Giving Page.
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