Once Upon A Time In The West

Cornish daffodils in bloom – well ahead of those in Hertfordshire!

It is appropriate that my preparation for the C2C walk with Rob includes some specialist clifftop training by the sea, to follow my beach walk in Norfolk last week. Accordingly, this week’s Blog comes to you from the far west of Cornwall, as Rachel and I have been fortunate enough to have a super long weekend with friends Philip and Carenza at their home in Flushing. You may recall that Philip joined me for the first three days of my LETJOG trek last May, and thus it has been especially good to return to Cornwall to reminisce, and of course for some more walking time together!

With St Piran unfurled, and about to set off on my long walk from Land’s End with Philip (May 2021)

And so it was, that on a dry and bright Saturday morning Philip and I took first the ferry over the water to Falmouth, and then the local bus for the short hop to Helford Passage, ahead of ten glorious miles along the South West Coast Path. Armed with pasties and flapjack, our route took us down lanes and across fields to pick up the Coast Path, then eastwards through Durgan village and out to the mouth of the Helford River. Here the Path arcs northwards, continuing on its undulating and alternating course from headland to cove, around Rosemullion Head and across the beaches of Maenporth, Swanpool and Gyllyngvase. Such wonderfully evocative names, and with scenery to match!

Setting sail for Falmouth ahead of our walk
Some unusual long-stemmed snowdrops, at Helford Passage
On the beach
Serenity – above Durgan on the Helford River
Diversion required!
Approaching Maenporth Beach . . .
. . . for lunch – how does a pasty stay so warm for four hours in a backpack?
Looking back, over my shoulder . . .

Next day, with the clouds rolling in and the wind lashing at our backs, Rachel and I explored the coast a little further, this time around Flushing, before I joined Philip for a second short walk to Sailors’ Creek.

Flushing!
Cold spring harbour
Sailors’ Creek, a haven, junkyard and graveyard for many old vessels . . .
. . . some still providing a ‘floating’ home!

So it has been a wonderful long weekend, and our thanks once again to our fine hosts Philip and Carenza, and to Mariquita who I know has followed my Blog since she waved us off at Land’s End last May! Thank you all.

Back home now, for some more Chiltern walks and some catching up with home life after all the travels of the last fortnight. Take it easy, and I look forward to updating you all further next week on our C2C preparations!

Leave a comment