Day 19. Tues.20.9.11 Falmouth to Gorran Haven

Due to the social intervention of family and friends plus my appointment with the Plymouth miracle worker, this section, like others, is out of sync. with the blog schedule but rest assured that every inch of the Path has been well trodden by me. Today's stint from Falmouth to Gorran Haven was noteworthy for all the wrong reasons, i.e., non-stop rain ALL day (is this now getting boring or what?), slippery, slithering, muddy surfaces everywhere, no mobile signal availability, son of Achilles was seeking revenge, and worst of all, somebody put too little salt in the porridge!
Speaking of which, hands up all those who think they should hear more about the back-up team and its utterly indispensable contribution to the whole campaign? We've heard quite enough about the prancing prima donna from Camberley, so let's shine the light for a moment or two on the distaff side and what she is providing.

First and foremost Pat is the administrator extraordinaire organising all the accommodation along the Coast Path often at reduced if not zero rates. Transport also comes within her remit as she scours the lanes of the South West Peninsula in search for her missing husband, often to be found in some isolated pub having played the emotional card to obtain a pint, free, gratis and for nothing. She's the chief taxi-driver fetching and carrying me hither and  thither: she's the chief cook and head bottle-washer, clothes washer, ironer, shopper and general factotum. And last but not least she is also my personal physiotherapist, having been given a couple of lessons by Phidippides Phil (see previous blog) on how to inflict maximum pain on her spouse's Achilles heel. So, all in all it's fair to say that I simply could not undertake this challenge on my own and without Pat's colossal support there would have been no gallivanting around the South West Coast Path and no swelling of the GOSH coffers. So, many thanks Tricia and look out for some material recognition coming your way, soon.(A new mop for cleaning the floor, perhaps?)