The tenth anniversary Fal River Walk took place in glorious sunshine (for the most part) after a week of what seemed like constant rain – with predictable anxiety for the organisers!

It was an early start for both Cornwall and West Devon Raynet groups.

Chris & Keith were up at the crack of dawn to install the remote talk-through unit so necessary to maintain radio communications with our operator in Flushing.

In the meantime the West Devon Incident Support Unit made its way to set up at Trelissick in good time for the morning briefing.

One local radio amateur, talking via GB3NC, was surprised to see the 'porcupine' making its way along the A30, commenting that he didn't realise that Raynet was still operating.

A call came in that one of the smaller ferries had developed engine problems which would cause delays in transferring long route walkers between Pandora Inn and Restronguet Point.  Thank goodness the other was working. An inconvenience, but not major.

Next the short walk ferry had its departure delayed whilst it waited for the final two walkers to arrive. Some resheduling of marshalls followed.

At mid-day we discovered that both small ferries were now out of action. A replacement was found, but on closer investigation discovered that it did not hold the appropriate licence. Walk organisers met to decide an alternative plan. A ferry would collect walkers from Pandora Inn and transport them to Roundwood Quay where they would finish the walk through the gardens to the north of Trelissick. Again marshals were advised and suitably relocated.

Reports started to come in that route signs near Messack had been deliberately moved, sending the faster of the short walkers off in the wrong direction. Raynet were able to advise later walkers of this and instruct them to regard the signs with caution, and if in doubt follow the route on their map.

The final twist came shortly after the ferry arrived at Roundwood Quay. National Trust staff were adamant that walkers should be back at base no later than 17:00. The planned final leg of the route through North Woods, could not guarantee this, so yet antother change of route was relayed to marshalls.

Back in the stable yard a party atmosphere prevailed. Walkers, many blissfully unaware of the behind the scenes work that had taken place, chatted over a cup of tea and several cakes about the great day they'd had.

149 people turned out to walk, almost equally divided between the two routes, with a commendable number of younger participants.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the walk, a special birthday cake was presented to the team from Boscowan Rotery Club.

Well done to all for organising the walk and for the professional manner in which they dealt with the many 'issues' that were thrown at them during the event.

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