Walking for Wired

Wired is a charity in Cornwall that provides rehabilitation for stroke and brain injury patients.

Rachel Heelis is a partner at Hodge Jones & Allen solicitors and specialises in medical negligence cases; she is also our local champion for Leading Women networking.

When Rachel told me she was organising a sponsored walk to raise funds for Wired, I signed up. I love to walk so it was no hardship for me to take part, particularly as it was for charity.

On the most beautiful warm and sunny summers day, about 30 people and 2 gorgeous dogs set off from the Gylly Beach Cafe to take part in a 10 mile walk. From Gylly Beach we headed out to Pendennis Castle and the docks, there were bits of Coastal Path on that stretch that I didn’t know existed. We continued on through central Falmouth and then up and out to Budock Water. We had a lovely ramble through the countryside across to Mawnan Smith.

From Mawnan we took “Fine and Brave” Lane down to the sea. The local legend of Fine and Brave lane is set in the 18th century. The story goes that during the French wars, the women of the village hurried down the narrow lane, pitchforks in hand, to repel an invasion from a French ship nearing Maenporth cove. Fortunately, glimpses of their red petticoats persuaded the French that a company of Redcoats was approaching and they sailed away. The men of Mawnan, proud of their women’s initiative, declared “it was a fine and brave thing to do” It is said that since then, the lane has been known as Fine and Brave.

The lane brought us out at the Cove Restaurant opposite Maenporth Beach, where we stopped for some well needed refreshments.

From there we continued on the stunning stretch of coastal path that runs between Maenporth and Swanpool beaches. I loved seeing all of the families having fun on the beach, a proper summer!

From there it was to be our final stretch of coast path back to the Gylly Beach Cafe, where we would complete our 10 miles. I couldn’t resist a couple of pics of Pendennis Castle on the way.