Hike with Son

Last day of September.
Twenty twenty one.
Pentewan to Fowey.
16 miles.
Two and half thousand feet.
Me, youngest son,
and constant drizzle.

But he doesn’t care,
in his lightweight shorts
and my cast-off socks,
‘cause he doesn’t feel the cold.
Isn’t aware of being wet.
On day nine of his mission.
So on we go…

When going downhill
and on the flat
he pulls away.
I close in on the ups.
Then he’s off again.
So I’m ordered…
‘You walk in front.’
With my aching heel
and dodgy knee.

Lunch…
Charlestown Harbour.
A form beneath a high wall
with a sign fixed to it…
Beware of Falling Rocks.
But I don’t care.

We eat.
But him…
He doesn’t do food.
An apple! A banana!
He walks on stored fat
in his legs.
So he says.
What fat?
Kid’s a machine.

He looks across
to the harbour lock-gate.
Says ‘we’ll cut across there.’
But it’s blocked off
with tape, with drums, with signs.
So I say ‘we won’t.’
And around we go.
Extra quarter mile
with my aching heel
that’s now got worse.
‘You’ve got this to come.’
I say to him.
‘No. It’ll be easily fixed
when I’m as old as you.’

And on we go…
Past the China Clay Works.
Across Parr Sands
and its pure atmosphere,
with its grey sky
its grey waves,
and three kite surfers
and no-one else
but me and him.

Polkerris Harbour
and its welcome pub.
And he’s straight in.
While I jar bad knee
dislodging overtrousers.

He’s hung his jacket
and bagged a seat
that’s meant for diners
not the likes of us,
with my sodden back
lubricating their mural.

Drowsily, I stare ahead.
Barmaid keeps passing,
serving diners.
Long brown hair,
skin tight jeans.

Then he gets chatty…
Says ‘how the coast path’
is meant to ‘give him clarity’
for ‘life’s decisions ahead.’
And he has my attention.

And on we go…
Up to Gribbin Tower.
Down to Polridmouth Beach.
Then no more hills!
Then I see houses.
And we’re on a street.
And finally…
Round a corner…
Rescue…
The Ship Inn!

Wet to the bone.
All top layers stripped.
Who cares who sees?
I find a dry fleece.

And heaven is…
Warmth…
Two strong pints…
Fish and chips…
And the arrival…
Of a happy face…
My wife.

And yes,
the walk,
and the company,
was good!