30kg on the SWCP? On a route that goes through so many towns and villages?

I met a German couple who were walking the SWCP between Plymouth and Newquay. They weren't carrying ANYTHING apart from the clothes on their backs. I asked them how they managed such an extreme lightweight approach, and the guy whipped out a thick wad of £20 notes! When they needed to stop for the night, they just peeled off a few notes. When they were hungry or thirsty, they peeled off a couple more. When their clothes got sweaty, yep, they peeled those off as well and bought some more. Seemed to me like a mighty fine way to go lightweight... but where can I get thick wads of £20s to start me off? 

I really need to learn to keep me gob shut, it comes of being a scouse git I suppose. Anyway, I didn't mean to come across as suggesting that heavier is better. I genuinely think that 12 kg is a respectable lightweight pack for a long distance trek, especially as it includes some food.

Mike, what a great idea for extra training.

The guy walking the SWCP with a 30kg pack had obviously just bought himself lots of stuff without really thinking about it. He was carrying 6litres (six litres!) of water in various containers! Waaaaay to much! Admittedly he had a (small) dog with him that needed water, but there are lots of streams etc on the coast path something which he must have been aware of as he had a water purifying kit as well! He was carrying 6lt of water and a purifying kit.. on a path that goes through a town/ village every few miles

He had a complete army ration pack which added loads to the weight and had tried to bring along most of his wardrobe (I asked him what he was carrying cos I was in slight awe at how his pack could be 30kg!). Funny thing was that every time I saw him he was wearing just a tiny pair of 80's football shorts and his walking boots.. no top or anything! He seemed to just be taking his clothes for a walk!

I bet he didn't make it to Bude even... He probably collapsed under the weight of his pack by Clovelly and has at this moment got a japanese tourist using his crushed torso as a seat!

Perhaps he was just a fit soldier - the  Army Combat Fitness Test is 12.8km in 2 hours carrying 25Kg. Or 2 hours at 4mph carrying 4 stone.

Dave - that was most enlightening. I've seen some odd bods on that route, but none as clueless as that guy. Taking his clothes for a walk... priceless!

I met a young fella with a tiny pack covering 30 miles per day, and I had a chat with him. I was intrigued to know where he was staying, as he obviously wasn't packing a tent, and he'd already told me he was walking on a shoestring and had barely enough cash to feed himself. At first he wouldn't tell me where he was staying overnight, but later he let me know that he was kipping inside all those little country churches in the middle of nowhere!

I'm surprsied that kept him any drier than sleeping outdoors.. every church i've ever seen has a 'Roof Repair' Fund raising giant thermometre outside it

Thats why these LDP are great, they don't just offer great walking but give you a chance to meet some interesting/ funny/ generous people!