The Salt Path

They leave the campsite in St. Ives and come into a part of the trail that is one headland after another. They come across two older Germans who are lost on the path and point them in the right direction. They decide to visit the village of Zennor and stop at a local church associated with a legend about a mermaid. Two other backpackers (“yompers”) enter, quickly look at the carving of the mermaid, and leave. Moth and Raynor go to a local pub. The other backpackers, now clean and dry, come in, telling anyone who will listen about their hike, which they claim to be doing for charity. Moth and Raynor do not engage with the pair. After the fog lifts, they leave the pub to find a camping spot. They try their best to dry out their gear and find it hard to sleep because of the sound of seals.

The next morning, Moth wakes up to realize that a cow is just outside. Worried that it will step on the tent, she gets out and trips as the cow indifferently walks away. On the path, they are overtaken by two backpackers in a hurry to get to Land’s End that night, whereas Moth and Raynor are days away.