I go back to work tomorrow after taking a week off and spending some time on the Cornish coast walking some more of the coastal path.
Over 3 days last week I covered 18 miles of the coast – from Porthcurno to Marazion.
I stayed in a village called of Rosudgeon, which is on the A394 road between Penzance and Helston. My accomodation for the week was The Caravan at Rosebud Flower Farm. I had the privilege of being the first person this year to stay in the caravan. With a gas heater and portable heater in the living room, and a wall mounted heater in the main bedroom, it was quite cozy (despite the wind and the rain)!
I’d recommend this location for couples, single travellers, and small families – They have a lovely (but lively) dog, and cats (one of whom took an immediate liking to me, and my bag)! The location is wonderful – Not too far from the main road making it easy to get out and about, but far enough away that you can still feel like you’re in the countryside. Check our their website at rosebudcaravan.co.uk.
The weather on my first day was rather wet and windy – I got soaked, but I’m English and on holiday – so I continued with the walk regardless. I walked from Porthcurno to Lamorna and enjoyed making friends with the local farm animals!
This walk was longer than it should have been in part because I lost the coastal path at one stage and ended up following the road instead!
Distance: 14.55km (9 miles)
The following day the weather was better. I parked between Newlyn and Mousehole and made my way to Lamorna, to start my walk to Newlyn. At times it was like an assault course, with plenty of muddy patches to try and negotiate and a stream, with rocks to climb over. How I did this walk without falling is anyone’s guess!
Once at Mousehole the walk was easier – perhaps not so exciting though, as it was along the road/pavement from here on in. Mousehole and Newlyn mark the first major settlements along my walk of the coastal path.
I actually really liked Newlyn and in particular Mousehole – They both sort of remind me of The Mumbles. They are to Penzance what The Mumbles is to Swansea. Sort of. Of course, the view across the bay to St. Michael’s Mount is much better than a view of Port Talbot from The Mumbles!
Distance: 8.21km (5.1 miles)
With the Sun shining I drove in to St Ives as I decided it would be a great place to sit and watch the sunset as I enjoyed a drink by the sea. Sadly it clouded over just before so I didn’t see the sunset! But I did get to see the St. Ives lifeboat.
Friday – my final day in Cornwall – I parked up in Marazion – only a couple of miles from where I stayed. It had poured with rain as I was packing the car in the morning and again while I was working out how to operate the machine to pay for parking – but by the time I’d got on the bus to Newlyn the Sun had come out and thankfully stayed out until I was back in the car and half way to the Devon border.
This walk wasn’t so exciting in terms of scenery. Newlyn basically runs straight in to Penzance, once through Penzance it is past the Long Rock industrial estate, until eventually you are free of Penzance and approaching Marazion. Marazion isn’t a bad place actually – St. Michael’s Mount well worth a visit. The tide was still in when I arrived so didn’t get over there this time, but it will be my starting point for my next coastal walk – so hopefully next time I’m in Cornwall (some time next month) I will be able to visit St. Michael’s Mount properly.
Distance: 7.56km (4.7 miles)
The Stats
Distance Walked: (this week): 30.32km (18.84 miles)
Total Coast Path Walked: 47.92km (29.78 miles)
Distance Driven: 769.85km (478.36 miles)
On the car stereo: BBC Radio Cornwall & Pirate FM
Happy Monday and have a great week!
FH.
