Rich Meston
The adventure in photos

The Other Half of the Path

The Other Half of the Path in 24 photos: 251.4 miles over 9 days, 1–9 May 2025. Tap a photo to see where it was on the map and how far in I was.

  1. Photo at Salisbury
    Day 1 · Thu, 1 May 2025 · 06:48
    Salisbury

    Behold, Salisbury Cathedral.

    But that's not on the South West Coast Path, you say.

    And you'd be right. But it was the start of my journey to Starcross - via Penzance.

    I set off nice and early from my sister's house, wandered past the cathedral and enjoyed what was, quite frankly, a lovely day. Look at that beautiful sky!

  2. Photo at Salisbury
    Day 1 · Thu, 1 May 2025 · 06:51
    Salisbury

    Still in Salisbury, this is alongside the River Avon (also known as the Hampshire Avon, and not the first River Avon I'd meet on my journey).

    It was a peaceful place, and just at the extent of the view along the river - past the bridge - was my target: Wetherspoon's, for breakfast.

  3. Photo at Salisbury
    Day 1 · Thu, 1 May 2025 · 07:18
    Salisbury

    Now this one - this one right here - that's award winning photography, right in front of you!

    You really didn't need to see my breakfast, especially my slightly blurry half eaten breakfast, but for some reason I left it in as part of the story. This little muffin, with it's undercooked bread, tasty sausage and egg, and side of hash-brown would be responsible for fuelling at least one or two of the miles I would be walking later.

  4. Photo at Wilton
    Day 1 · Thu, 1 May 2025 · 07:41
    Wilton

    Wilton is not far outside Salisbury, and it was where my bag was at 7:41 am on this sunny day in May 2025.

    Luckily, I was sat opposite my bag, otherwise it would be at best a frustrating start to my walk, and at worst, the end before I'd even begun.

    In that pack is everything one person needs to live outside for more than a week - my home, my bed, my clothes, a few gadgets, a stash of food and a couple of litres of water.

    (OK, technically, I'd need some more water and food, but other than that, it's everything one person needs!)

  5. Photo at Exeter St Davids station
    Day 1 · Thu, 1 May 2025 · 09:49
    Exeter St Davids station

    Exeter St Davids, the one and only change on my route. I had plenty of time to change, but surprisingly both trains were exactly on time.

  6. Photo at Exeter St Davids
    Day 1 · Thu, 1 May 2025 · 09:57
    Exeter St Davids

    I particularly liked the very old looking tiles in the station in Exeter. Here's an example on the stairs between the platforms.

  7. Photo at Devonport
    Day 1 · Thu, 1 May 2025 · 11:24
    Devonport

    This is out the window of the train on the way to Penzance. I'm now at a point that will take me about 5 days to walk to from the start, assuming everything goes OK.

  8. Photo at Devonport
    Day 1 · Thu, 1 May 2025 · 11:24
    Devonport

    This is a slightly different view of the ship from the previous photo. I was snapping a few pics here so I could look out for things as I walked past.

  9. Photo at Tamar Bridge
    Day 1 · Thu, 1 May 2025 · 11:26
    Tamar Bridge

    The bridge over the Tamar - I am now officially in Cornwall!

  10. Photo at Penzance station
    Day 1 · Thu, 1 May 2025 · 13:06
    Penzance station

    Penzance Station.

    Apprehension and excitement was kicking in here. This was the point where the hard work began, but it was also the true beginning on my adventure.

  11. Photo at Penzance
    Day 1 · Thu, 1 May 2025 · 13:30
    Penzance

    I was on my way!

    I'd walked a little way from the station with my friend Rod who drives the speedy trains around the South West and is also an epic ultrarunner. We were chatting about my adventure, and his upcoming 40+ day run/walk from John O' Groats to Lands End that was beginning a few days after I was due to complete mine.

    When Rod and I said goodbye and he headed back to take the controls of the 2-something to Exeter, I really felt like I was starting.

    For the first chunk of the way, in the distance and then progressively closer, was the familiar lump of St Michaels Mount.

    0.9 mi
    into the day
    0.9 mi
    of 251.4
  12. Photo at Long Rock
    Day 1 · Thu, 1 May 2025 · 13:42
    Long Rock

    St Michael's Mount in the distance there.

    1.7 mi
    into the day
    1.7 mi
    of 251.4
  13. Photo at Rinsey
    Day 1 · Thu, 1 May 2025 · 17:06
    Rinsey
    11.7 mi
    into the day
    11.7 mi
    of 251.4
  14. Photo at The Lizard
    Day 2 · Fri, 2 May 2025 · 11:21
    The Lizard
    14.5 mi
    into the day
    30.4 mi
    of 251.4
  15. Photo at Mawnan
    Day 3 · Sat, 3 May 2025 · 10:48
    Mawnan
    11.6 mi
    into the day
    55.8 mi
    of 251.4
  16. Photo at Gorran Haven
    Day 4 · Sun, 4 May 2025 · 09:54
    Gorran Haven
    9.3 mi
    into the day
    83.8 mi
    of 251.4
  17. Photo at Fowey
    Day 4 · Sun, 4 May 2025 · 19:25
    Fowey
    33.2 mi
    into the day
    107.7 mi
    of 251.4
  18. Photo at Cremyll
    Day 5 · Mon, 5 May 2025 · 18:14
    Cremyll
    32.2 mi
    into the day
    140.5 mi
    of 251.4
  19. Photo at Heybrook Bay
    Day 6 · Tue, 6 May 2025 · 13:34
    Heybrook Bay
    11.3 mi
    into the day
    154.2 mi
    of 251.4
  20. Photo at Erme estuary
    Day 7 · Wed, 7 May 2025 · 07:14
    Erme estuary
    4.7 mi
    into the day
    166.9 mi
    of 251.4
  21. Photo at Bolberry Down
    Day 7 · Wed, 7 May 2025 · 13:01
    Bolberry Down
    19.1 mi
    into the day
    181.3 mi
    of 251.4
  22. Photo at Beesands
    Day 8 · Thu, 8 May 2025 · 05:46
    Beesands
  23. Photo at Dartmouth
    Day 8 · Thu, 8 May 2025 · 11:34
    Dartmouth
    14.5 mi
    into the day
    210.8 mi
    of 251.4
  24. Photo at Shaldon
    Day 9 · Fri, 9 May 2025 · 11:33
    Shaldon
    13.0 mi
    into the day
    240.7 mi
    of 251.4
See all 515 photos, day by day