Day 28. Coverack to Helford Passage, 12 June 2025.

The B&B didn't serve breakfast but gave you free run of the kitchen and provided everything to make your own.This had the advantage that I could get up and away early. The morning was mostly dry but it had rained heavily overnight, and the path often took a narrow trail between abundant wet vegetation so that it was impossible to stay dry. The ideal clothing would have been to copy the Naked Rambler but I was not bold enough for that, and my shorts and socks were soon soaked.

At Porthallow I paused for a selfie by the marker for the half way point on the coast path and soon came to the first of the the many river crossings on the South Coast - Gillan Creek. The SWCP Guide claimed that there were stepping stones exposed for around 3 hours around low water but although the tide was almost out they were nowhere to be seen. 

A few walkers were milling around looking at the river and wondering what to do. Upstream from this photo the river split into two channels which didn't look too deep so I removed boots, socks and trousers and waded across through water that was up to just above my knees. 

 

 

While I was getting dressed on the far side these two ladies took a better route across, a longer crossing but only ankle deep.  

I continued to Helford, arriving just after midday, and a much larger river; this one required a ferry. But while crossing Gillan Creek needed low tide, the Helford ferry could not operate at the lowest tides and there was a notice saying that the next ferry would not be for another hour.

 

My South African friend was waiting and was not a happy bunny; he had a rendezvous in the pub on the far side which he was going to miss. He tried phoning the boatman asking if he could come across in a dinghy but was just laughed at. Eventually the boat arrived about 1.30 and took us across to Helford Passage.

 I had vaguely thought of trying a double stage by continuing to Falmouth, but the ferry delay put paid to that so I walked up the hill to Trebah, took a bus to Falmouth and train to Truro before driving home.

Distance today, 17 km.