Tuesday 09th June 1998 - Day Four, Harlyn Bay (rest) Prev Next

00:30 Woke up with the radio still on and caught the weather forecast which said gales and thunder storms. 'That's it' I thought, 'Im going home'. Why couldn't I have a walking holiday without either the weather turning impossible or my legs breaking down. I had been doing well.

I woke up again just after seven and found Radio Cornwall. Their shipping forecast said gale 8 becoming 5-6 mainly good. I like the shipping forcast when I am walking. It is like a litany being recited, and if you take note of the other sea areas you can get a good idea of what is going on. The land lubber's forecast said much the same thing then getting better on Wednesday. I had breakfast and the weather was light cloud and some blue sky with a strong wind. I spent a couple of hours drying things out and even saw sun. I judged by 09:15 the shop would be open and bought some provisions. It was when I got back to the tent I noticed that the tent at the front was about to tear away from the eyelet holding it up. I think this happened because I put the tent up wet but fairly tight because of the wind, then it dried. Because the rubbers had gone I pegged it with the canvas loops, there wasn't any play and something had to give. I bought a pack of tent bands and replaced four that had gone. I then slackened off the front of the tent and bound the good canvas to the pole. That would have to await a more permanent repair. I just hoped it would last because if the weather turns like it did on the day before then I might have been in trouble. Slowly things dried out and the weather got better.

I undid the phone with my penknife screwdriver attachment and my worst suspicions were confirmed. It had fizzed inside on the surface mount PCB. I work in the electronics industry and I have seen similar equipment in a better state that has been written off as beyond economical repair. I carefully scraped the green bubbly bits off that shouldn't have been there and dabbed with a tissue, then left it open to dry in the sun and wind with my fingers crossed.

I spent a good portion of the day writing my log and alternating clothes, socks and towel on the tent guys to dry them out. By mid-afternoon it was sunny with strong wind. I had my boots, socks, undies, trousers and T-shirt dry and back on. My towel was dry, and my handkerchief was dry for the first time since Tintagel, and the weatherman said it was going to be better tomorrow. Life was good.

Harlyn bay holiday site was a good place to camp and take a day off. There are some permanent caravans, some mobile caravans and me in a tent. The bar disco and round the side restaurant are fine, there is a shop with all the right bits in, payphones and a children's playground, and the office is open when it should be.

The sun was shining, everything except my toilet roll was dry. I went and bought meatballs and rice for tea and celebrated with a magnum ice cream. I even had enough dry clothes to make a decent pillow. Then I finally read some Sherlock Holmes. It had been an enjoyable and useful recovery day.

Next page, Day Five, 10th June 98, Harlyn Bay - Newquay.

Previous page, Day Three, 8th June 98, Polzeath - Harlyn Bay.

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