Log No 280. Thu 10th Apr 2014 - Kingsand to Plymouth, 24 miles (4267 miles walked)

Not having to pack up the tents this morning allowed us to get away by 07.30, it had been another clear, cold night and the morning was all mist.

It wasn't quite a pack-free day as we still had to carry our waterproofs and lunch but it was nothing in comparison to a full pack.

Todays route was to get round St Germans River and its tributaries by the most direct route, cross the River Tamar into Plymouth and get to and use the Cremyll Ferry (which the SWCP uses) to get back to the campsite.

We started off with a minor road to Millbrook then a bit of a B road and a footpath to St John. The long wet grass of the footpath soon soaked through Mick's boots to give him wet feet.

From there it was a minor road to Anthony where we had to use the A374 for a couple of miles before getting back on to minor roads to get to Polbathic. It was 10.00, the sun had finally burnt off all the mist and we stopped here for our first break.

We continued using minor roads and a B road to get to Tideford on the A38. The next 4 miles were not very good, stuck on the very busy A38 with no path or cycleway was no fun with the constant traffic noise and having to get off the road when lorries & buses came by.

Thankfully we were able to get off the A38 at Saltash and take a 12.00 break before continuing along the streets straight to the Tamar Bridge.

Over the bridge we were into Plymouth and we went close to the dockyards and Naval base at Devonport before getting to the slipway for the Cremyll Ferry at 14.30.

The ferry was every half hour and we only had 15 minutes to wait for the 5 minute crossing across to Cremyll.

On the ferry Mick took the opportunity to take off his boots and readjust his socks which had dried out in an uncomfortable position, he discovered this had left him with a blister.

Straight off the ferry we were in Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, which looked a very popular place for a day trip from Plymouth, and we picked up the Coast Path heading back towards Kingsand.

It took us just over an hour to get back to our tents, arriving at 16.10. It was a respectable time for our 24 miles.

Tomorrow it is back across the ferry with our full packs to carry on through Plymouth.