From Holsworthy to camping in Kernomads Healing Fields (or, actually, sneaking a kip in the perfectly comfortable wee caravan on the sofa). Tregylls Farm, near Boscastle. 30.15miles, total to date 1027.52miles
After packing up at South Hogg's Hideaway campsite, I went around to see Julie and have an infusion of coffee before moving on. I had a tour of her beautiful garden, and Mabli snuffled in the long grass as is her wont. The tent was draped over the fence to dry. Julie has an orchard with picnic spot for the grandchidlers - called the wheelbarrow picnic place, coz everything gets taken over to this spot in a wheelbarrow. Of course, I didn't get to leave 'till late morning...
When google says 'moderate hills' - I don't know quite what to expect. My heart soars when I blast downhill towards a bridge - but with that slight trepidation that comes from knowing after every downhill swoop, there is an inevitable uphill slog. I chuck Mabli out so she can run up the hill and lighten the weight, much to her disgust. Though sometimes she chooses to run a little more - quite often, these days, she leaps back in the trailer with alacrity, and curls up for a snooze. All these new places and smells and experiences must be exhausting for her tiny brain! I got on to familar roads as I approached Trelay - where my friend Sally normally lives but was sadly away from home this trip. So I went out of my way to got to the Old Wainright Inn, close to hers - as I knew they did food and would be open, as I called in there when I cycled up to see Sally two (or was it three?) years ago now - when I made Mabli run all the way, but was MUCH slower. They were incredibly busy - the Inn - as it's Sunday and they offer a carvery. I had pasta - and a pud! - which was excellent.
Interestingly, my route took me into Cornwall and out again, back to Devon a couple times. I would see the black flag with a white cross fluttering. I stopped at a farm and asked to top my water up - and the farmer's wife explained where Devon began again...(she lived in Cornwall - where their farm fields stopped was the actual boundary with Devon). I carried on riding down quiet lanes with high hedges - and a flying car! (static, but intriguing, nevertheless). I had been emailing a campsite to ask if there was somewhere to charge battery (them being offgrid) - and eventually got a reply from Benji saying no, but suggesting an alternative. The hills in Devon and Cornwall were really eating my battery power up by the end of the day - causing me a twinge of anxiety (and this was despite topping it up in a pub at some poing during the day). So I was googling alternatives and spotted the Kernomads site - grand opening festival/party, finishing this very day. I decided to head for there.
It was in the middle of nowhere and the field the google arrow pointed to was full of sheep - overflowing with sheep (never seen such a HUGE flock!). These were the 'healing fields' spoken of. The opening party was over. I phoned the contact number and spoke to Lorraine. She told me to stay where I was, or work my way down past the sheep to the barn, at any rate... I had already gone up and down the lane looking for a 'camp site' - I'd found a couple of stray sheep (escaped from the madding crowd - they soon leapt back through the sagging fence when I rode toward them).
The barn had a sandy floor with a few odd sculptures. There was a sloping field containing what could have been a circular maze (transpires this was the base of what would be the floor for a large yurt). There were also several tarps dotted down alongside the hedgerow.
Lorraine turned up (and called me 'sister'). She accepted £12 (bank transfer) - and said I could camp anywhere, and found a place to charge battery and phone/powerpack. I would be all on my own (I didn't mind at all!). There was also one portaloo. After she left, I had a nose around (after plugging in assorted phone/batteries) and discovered a caravan round the back of the barn with a key in the door and obviously empty (Beds bereft of coverings - covers folded neatly on two beds). As I went back to where I was supposed to pitch my tent (out of the wind, which was blowing a hooley), I decided to make a cup of tea with my trusty trangia and contemplated just putting my sleeping bag in the caravan and save all the hassle of pitching my tent at all...
Two children turned up. Sister Lorraine had already told me that she had 4 children but that farmer Bill (who I never saw) had 6 children. Kimberley and her younger brother John were 2 of the 6 (in the middle). They had been tasked to move some sheets of laminate into a shed, but once that was done (took them a couple trips and I gave them a hand to arrange) They sat down and quizzed me. I told them what me and Mabs had been up to - then I quizzed them about the caravan - yes, it belonged to the Farm, and they sometimes rented it out, but it was currently empty. I asked if they thought Dad would mind me sleeping in there - which was a bit unfair, but they said they thought it would be fine. So that's what I did. After drinking my tea. I put Groucho the bike in the barn (undercover) and moved bags into the caravan and had a very comfy night sleeping on the sofa. It rained heavily during the night, so just as well. I half expected Bill the farmer to turn up and ask what on earth I thought I was doing - but he never materialised and I left the accommodation much as I'd found it. Worth every penny of the £12 (and the portaloo right next door).
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