OSGB GRID REF. SX329852. LAUNCESTON

TRIG. POINT ON SOURTON TOR

BAA, BAA

BROTHER PAUL & MUM IN LAUNCESTON

LAUNCESTON CASTLE

Although shared dorms are the norm in a Youth Hostel, occupation at the Okehampton establishment was low so I had a room all to myself. I didn't wake until 8.30am on Monday 28, which probably goes to show how much I needed the rest. I had to dress quickly to be in time for breakfast. 

It was great not to have to worry about dismantling the tent and packing the rucksack. I spent the day washing socks, writing my blog, sending some emails and dropping in on friend Alan at his electronics factory in Okehampton, but really not doing that much at all. 

I had decided to walk the whole of the Two Castles Trail in one go on Tuesday. This 24 mile path runs between Okehampton Castle and its counterpart in Launceston. It is the only footpath in the West Country that I walk in its entirety, the other footpaths I encounter being just short sections of longer paths. 

Rising early, I set off shortly after 8.00am. I had left my main rucksack at Alan's factory when I visited him so that I would only need to carry a few essential items in my lightweight daysack.T

The walk initially took me through a golf course and then up on the northern edge of Dartmoor National Park. Here I could free-roam for the first time since the Pennines, unconstrained by any path, much like the sheep surrounding me. One group of 5 sheep, 3 rams and 2 ewes, all decided to urinate simultaneously as I passed by. I came to the conclusion that this was probably some sort of collective insult to humans. I don't blame them. I too might be tempted to insult someone who was planning to eat me. 

The 'official' route of the Two Castles Trail is a bit tame so I took a detour up to Sourton Tor where the rocky summit provided me with a brief reminder of what Dartmoor is all about. Leaving the moor and continuing west, the remainder of the walk to Launceston was dull by comparison, at least until Launceston Castle came into view, dominating the town from its hill. 

The walk had taken me just under 10 hours, including lunch stops, and I had crossed my final county boundary into Cornwall. Not having brought my tent, I booked a room at the White Horse Inn. 

I remained in Launceston on Wednesday to spend some time with Mum and brother Paul who had travelled up to see me. On their way they collected my rucksack from Okehampton, along with a further supply of energy foods that Matt Furber of Lucozade Sport had sent to Alan's factory.

When the family visit was over it was time to make preparations for the following day's trek. This would take me on to my next significant challenge, which is to cross bleak Bodmin Moor. I hope that the fair weather continues for a while.