Round England walk: Padstow to Fowey. The "Saints' Way"

From the guide book: The existing Saints Way follows the river route across East Cornwall, which was established long before the Saints as a convenient short-cut between Ireland and Wales and the south coast of Cornwall - and on. The way is rich in springs and many holy wells are still to be found. The Church at Lanlivery, a visible route sign from many miles away, sits high on the horizon, a beacon for travellers. It lines up with the saint's pathway to ancient standing stones at Helman Tor, an evident meeting place from Stone Age times. The Church at Lanivet beckons the traveller on to where the route meets the river Camel at Ruthernbridge and then continues North to Padstow. This walk is one Rosie undertook a few years back.

Day 1: Travelling to Padstow. Long day. Hadn't slept very well, due to worrying about oversleeping, I guess! Journey by train went smoothly. Met Chris and Craig on the way, two Australian fellow Contours Walking Holiday customers! The B & B was OK but a bit cramped - my room was one of those rooms that have been built into a roof space, with sloping ceilings that you crack your head on! Went into town to find a meal... But everywhere was busy, the narrow streets were crowded with locals putting up red and blue flags, preparing for the annual May Day Hobby Horse thing. It was all a bit sinister. Kept getting funny looks, perhaps because I was a stranger, and I was on my own. Found a fish and chip place, ate them by the harbour, getting pestered by seagulls. There were stinky engined boats chugging around the harbour. Generally unpleasant evening. Sorry Padstow! Weather not too bad since I arrived here, but I hope I have a better day tomorrow!

Day 2: Padstow to St Wenn. The picture shows a Monolith on Breock Down. Stayed in lovely farmhouse accommodation, where I met three other walkers following the same route, so I kept encountering them along the way ... Bob, Helen, and Zoe, all OAPs, but with lots more energy than me!

Day 3: St Wenn to Lanlivery. The route was very wet/muddy/flooded in places. Lovely lunch at this pub in Lanivet. Apparently they used to grow bamboo here to feed the pandas at London Zoo, hence the pub sign! Weather closed in this afternoon, really misty/drizzly. But the Crown Inn at Lanlivery was worth getting to! Lovely quiet restful room out in the courtyard.

Typical muddy path encountered during my walk!

Day 4: Lanlivery to Fowey. The path splits to give two options as you approach Fowey. Hence this signpost! A real quandary for an indecisive person like me!

Fowey. The final destination. I didn't get a good photo of the town, for some reason, so this picture is from the BreaksInCornwall website, by Paul Watts. Thank you Paul. I hope you don't mind me using it. It is a lovely shot!