Crantock to Perranporth
As forecast it was a cold morning even in Cornwall, but it didn’t take long to really warm up. We decided to walk along the coastal path to Perranporth and then return by a slightly different route taking in Holywell Bay and finishing off with a swim at Poly Joke Beach, before walking back to the campsite.
The Coastal Path is very different terrain from where we walked a couple of days ago, gone are the gorse covered cliffs with rocky paths. This area was similar country to the South Downs, rolling grassland and around Holywell, huge sand dunes to climb. The dunes although much more forgiving if you missed your step than the rocky paths, were hard work climbing up.
Holywell Bay was a hive of activity with surfing lessons taking place and several childrens’ parties, we heard Happy Birthday being sung twice from our vantage point on the cliffs. We also circled an old MOD base at Holywell, which was an anti-aircraft training centre during WWII, as well as a training and recuperation base for forces returning from combat. It served this purpose until relatively recently, with troops who had served in Afghanistan stationed there. Now, it is looking sad and dejected and was sold for redevelopment some time ago.
Compared to the activity on Holywell, Perranporth Beach was remarkably deserted considering the warm, sunny weather. At Perranporth, we turned back, retracing some of our steps with a stop at Holywell for a drink. Sadly, we came across a seagull that was in distress, most probably suffering from avian flu. This highlighted what I had noticed at most of the beaches, on the tide line, huge amounts of seagull feathers, which I presumed were from birds that had died at sea. Avian flu is currently having a devastating effect on seabirds.
Poly Joke beach is an isolated cove, a good walk from any parking. It is a huge beach when the tide is out, long and relatively narrow. The tide was nearly fully out and there were lots of surfers and body boarders taking advantage of the surf. Charlie went in for a swim but I wasn’t feeling the love so sat on the sand to watch, as despite the sun, I’d come over cold. (By the time we arrived back at the campsite, I had a splitting headache, usually when I feel like this, the headaches last at least 24 hours but frequently around 2-3 days).
We got back to the campsite late afternoon, leaving plenty of time for showers and a BBQ before the sun disappeared and the temperature dropped. We also entertained a guest at dinner.
Homeward bound…
I’m writing some of this on late Sunday afternoon as we are making the long trip home. On the drive back, around Somerset, we noticed a familiar car in front of us. Our friends, Ken and Martin returning home from a trials event in Bude, which sadly they had to retire from due to clutch problems. I think they were a little surprised to be hooted at and to see me, hanging out the window waving furiously at them, as we negotiated a 2-lane roundabout next to them. We both pulled over at the next lay-by for a catch up.
Later in the journey, the usual queue at Stonehenge meant I could snap a quick photo.
My Mum, Jean, daughter Isabelle and nephew, Harry have met in London to visit Green Park, the Palace to see the tributes to Her Late Majesty. Harry, a serving member of HM Armed Forces has today off from security duty ahead of tomorrow’s Funeral, Isabelle was down from Manchester on a pre-planned visit, giving Mum, the chance to visit London with them. I am really sorry that I missed the opportunity to go.
So is it Cream or Jam?
During our visit we shared a Cream Tea at Geevor Tin Mine, so I conducted a trial. One half of my scone with cream first and the other half first with jam first…
To be honest, I think it depends on your preference for huge amounts of jam or huge amounts of cream…. Or huge amounts of both. I’m not keen on cream, so for me the preference is a thin spread of cream, acting like butter, followed by a huge dollop of jam. So I’m on the side of the Devonians! But it doesn’t really matter, it all seems to taste the same whichever comes first.
Rest Easy, Ma’am
Our holiday began with the news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has passed away, has been interspersed with news of crowds & flowers, of people queuing for hours to pay their respects at Her Majesty’s Lying In State. Stories of the camaraderie of the queue, the neighbourliness, new and shared memories, of vigils, of heartfelt speeches, of a bear going to Buckingham Palace for tea, of the Queen and 007 parachuting into the London Olympics. Our magnificent Armed Forces, Police and volunteers from Scouts to St John’s Ambulance and even the Houses of Parliament whose combined skills both front of house and behind the scenes have shown the world the best of British pageantry, meticulous preparation and to-the-second timing and have given Disney a masterclass on how to queue!
Our last day of holiday will be spent watching Her Majesty’s Funeral Service and final journey to Windsor. The past 10 days have been a fitting tribute to a women who said over 70 years ago…
” I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”
Your Majesty, you kept your promise, so rest easy, you served us well.
RoundandAbout 