Happy reading
Monday 19th November – day 37
We spent the day mostly frustrated, sorting out the collapsed laptop. Once sorted (as far as we could!) we headed off to Porthleven, another pretty little fishing village, fo
r a late afternoon stroll along the headland, watching dog walkers and their excited dogs running after balls scooped up on long handled throwers. However the most ingenious dog walker was a young chap who stood on the harbour wall throwing his ball over on to the beach some 12 feet below, his bouncy sheep dog would tear off down the slipway, along the sand, find his reward and beat a speedy return back up to his master who lobbed it immediately back over the wall; the dog needed no time o recover before he was bounding off down the slipway again. We watched for a while, and I am sure that it was the owner (from his stationary position) who was tiring first!!!
On arrival at the quayside we settled in the Harbour Inn, for a very happy hour before taking a moonlit stroll back to the car.
Back at the caravan…………. what now to do with our evening ………………………
no uploading/cataloguing/compressing of pictures/writing up the diary/no checking or responding to emails/no downloading info and no TV watching!!!! The evening stretched out ahead of us, is this how holidays used to be, reading/conversation/books…………………………………. I think I may throw the PC away!!!
Tuesday 20th November - day 38
We spent the day mostly frustrated, sorting out the collapsed laptop. Once sorted (as far as we could!) we headed off to Porthleven, another pretty little fishing village, fo
r a late afternoon stroll along the headland, watching dog walkers and their excited dogs running after balls scooped up on long handled throwers. However the most ingenious dog walker was a young chap who stood on the harbour wall throwing his ball over on to the beach some 12 feet below, his bouncy sheep dog would tear off down the slipway, along the sand, find his reward and beat a speedy return back up to his master who lobbed it immediately back over the wall; the dog needed no time o recover before he was bounding off down the slipway again. We watched for a while, and I am sure that it was the owner (from his stationary position) who was tiring first!!!On arrival at the quayside we settled in the Harbour Inn, for a very happy hour before taking a moonlit stroll back to the car.
Back at the caravan…………. what now to do with our evening ………………………
no uploading/cataloguing/compressing of pictures/writing up the diary/no checking or responding to emails/no downloading info and no TV watching!!!! The evening stretched out ahead of us, is this how holidays used to be, reading/conversation/books…………………………………. I think I may throw the PC away!!!
Tuesday 20th November - day 38
Walking day planned b
ut woke to black clouds; it was time to try out ALL our expensive wet weather gear, purchased for the holiday. We drove to Mullion Cove (beautiful little spot, worthy of a visit). We had to take a taxi, as there were no buses running the route that we wanted. Bus fares are averaging out at £2.20 each for a 15 minute journey. 9 miles from Mullion Cove to Porthleven by taxi, guess how much, no have a guess……. …………………………………………£22. He was a very friendly taxi driver, but still I don’t think that we will be using that mode of transport again!There was no-one else but us on the coastal path today, and the rain followed
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us all the way. However this time we were prepared, but we rustled so much as we walked that you could hear us coming way before you could see us.The coastal path beyond Porthleven was gently undulating with only the occasional steep slopes. There were some dramatic little coves along the way, with the return of the vertical striations found at Hartland.
We made reasonable time walking, but answering the call of nature slowed us up considerably.
We had to plan when we might need to relieve ourselves, as preparation took about 5 minutes, as follows:
Make sure that there is no-one else within a 10 min distance
Remove gloves
Undo outer coat
Roll up fleece/sweater/Tshirt
Find waistband for outer trousers
Roll down outer trousers, CAREFULLY, avoiding wetting inner trousers
Unzip inner trousers CAREFULLY, avoiding rush of cold air
Perch CAREFULLY
Relief, redress avoiding getting wet!
Make sure that there is no-one else within a 10 min distance
Remove gloves
Undo outer coat
Roll up fleece/sweater/Tshirt
Find waistband for outer trousers
Roll down outer trousers, CAREFULLY, avoiding wetting inner trousers
Unzip inner trousers CAREFULLY, avoiding rush of cold air
Perch CAREFULLY
Relief, redress avoiding getting wet!
We reached the car just as darkness fell, it took a while to get out of all outer layers, but soon we were sat in the car drinking our post walk warming tea and biscuits, however tonight we steamed up the windows so completely we were sure that those outside would be thinking that we were misbehaving!!! Back to the caravan for hot shower, supper and Spooks, hurray!
Wednesday 21st November – day 39
Wearying, difficult and unproductive day, went into Truro to buy new tyres for the Land Rover, which we had bought on line. After MUCH searching, and many blank expressions we went in search of a PC (as our was broken!!) to find out where our tyres might be! The very kind Tourist Information lady allowed us to use theirs (God bless them) and Chris with unusually Sherlock like detective work discovered that they had been sent to……………….. Southampton!!! It took some time but he managed to reorder another set that we were assured would be delivered to Truro. However, not all was lost, as we managed to achieve a little Christmas shopping; though we got a parking ticket because we were not quite quick enough back to the car park (seems that the Cornish word “dreckly” which has applied to all requests for services that may assist us, does not apply to parking times!!) Home for a large brandy!
Thursday 22nd November – day 40
We woke to a truly glorious day, and planned a walk to the Lizard. However -every piece of water proof clothing was packed just in case, We managed to set off in good time (!) to catch the bus from the Lizard v
illage to Mullion Cove, for the start of our walk.With an azure sky above us, and the warm sun on our faces as we tramped across the Lizard Nature Reserve, with views of beautiful rocky cliffs and sparkly little coves to our right. We lunched in a small bay, and as we were climbing up back to the path, the heavens opened, and sleet and rain fair bounced off us. Like superman in his phone booth we whipped out our waterproofs, but not quick enough to prevent the drenching, and
whilst protected from the continuing storm the steady trickle of rain down our necks was not pleasant!
The temperature plummeted but the skies tried hard to brighten, sharing with us some of the most vibrant rainbows we have ever seen, and sometimes there was more
than one on view!
As we rounded the headland we dropped into beautiful Kynance Cove now bathed in crystal clear watery early evening light.
A slow walk on then to Lizard Point as we tried to spot seals, eventually we were rewarded with a brief shot of a group playing just off the shore, not close enough though to catch any detail. As dusk was falling we did though meet a lonely Ordinance Survey worker preparing mapping data for the latest series of maps.
It was almost dark by the time we reached the lighthouse, and we were treated to the sight of its beam glowing to full effort against the evening sky. The walk back to the village was slow cold and wet plod and the cuppa was very welcome as we arrived back at the car.
Friday 23rd November – day 41
Miserable day discovered that all data is lost and none would be retrievable from our deceased pc, so al fabulous photographs of the first four weeks lost for ever. Poverty looms on the horizon as money is leaving our account faster than rats from a sinking ship. So we need retail therapy, back to Truro to spend more money on those new tyres that are so important. One bright spot to the day though we managed to achieve even more Christmas shopping without acquiring a parking ticket. Oh yes another bright spot, home for fresh fish.
Saturday 24th November – day 42
Early start needed to make a quick trip to Helston to drop off our pc to repairers and pick more propane gas before we set off for a tour of villages beyond Lizard Point. We stopped for a quick look at Goonhilly’s massive discs,
then on to Coverack, a pleasant white wash town with wide bay where we met a delightful old chap who drove a green Morris Traveller, he was clearly very excited and keen to tell us all about the towns men tasks for erecting the Christmas lights which would definitely rival Blackpool. We were invited back to join them on December 8th for the grand switch on. We expressed a little concern as to what so many light bulbs would cost the community in electricity bills. But he told us with a twinkle in his eye, and hushed tones, that they were only charged £40 for the season.
Left Coverack for Porthoustock, very disappointing with unappealing stony beach so left swiftly and moved on to Porthallow, left there quickly for the same reason and on to Gillam.
Here things started to look up as the journey took us through beech lined roads that shone with autumn colour until we arrived in beautiful St Anthony Meneage. A small mooring area for local yacht owners in a delightful setting with a pretty little church behind and views of the Helford Estuary in front. We visited the church and were delighted to note that it would be entirely lit by candles on many large brass hanging candelabras as there were no apparent electric lights in the place. After lunch we drove along the Helford Estuary on little winding country lanes and over picturesque bridges through woodland and lush greenery to Helford. We had to cros
s a ford to get to this serene village. We parked up and enjoyed a stroll to the landing stage for the Helford Passage foot passenger ferry, a little excitement ensued as we had failed to notice the incoming tide and as we approached the ford for the return journey it had risen from a trickle to a flowing river some 2’ deep. As we were blessed with the Land Rover we set off bravely and never looked back, we continued on through this delightful pastoral landscape round to Helford Passage and ended our tour with a pint in a local sailing pub.
The temperature plummeted but the skies tried hard to brighten, sharing with us some of the most vibrant rainbows we have ever seen, and sometimes there was more
than one on view!As we rounded the headland we dropped into beautiful Kynance Cove now bathed in crystal clear watery early evening light.
A slow walk on then to Lizard Point as we tried to spot seals, eventually we were rewarded with a brief shot of a group playing just off the shore, not close enough though to catch any detail. As dusk was falling we did though meet a lonely Ordinance Survey worker preparing mapping data for the latest series of maps.
It was almost dark by the time we reached the lighthouse, and we were treated to the sight of its beam glowing to full effort against the evening sky. The walk back to the village was slow cold and wet plod and the cuppa was very welcome as we arrived back at the car.
Friday 23rd November – day 41
Miserable day discovered that all data is lost and none would be retrievable from our deceased pc, so al fabulous photographs of the first four weeks lost for ever. Poverty looms on the horizon as money is leaving our account faster than rats from a sinking ship. So we need retail therapy, back to Truro to spend more money on those new tyres that are so important. One bright spot to the day though we managed to achieve even more Christmas shopping without acquiring a parking ticket. Oh yes another bright spot, home for fresh fish.
Saturday 24th November – day 42
Early start needed to make a quick trip to Helston to drop off our pc to repairers and pick more propane gas before we set off for a tour of villages beyond Lizard Point. We stopped for a quick look at Goonhilly’s massive discs,
then on to Coverack, a pleasant white wash town with wide bay where we met a delightful old chap who drove a green Morris Traveller, he was clearly very excited and keen to tell us all about the towns men tasks for erecting the Christmas lights which would definitely rival Blackpool. We were invited back to join them on December 8th for the grand switch on. We expressed a little concern as to what so many light bulbs would cost the community in electricity bills. But he told us with a twinkle in his eye, and hushed tones, that they were only charged £40 for the season.Left Coverack for Porthoustock, very disappointing with unappealing stony beach so left swiftly and moved on to Porthallow, left there quickly for the same reason and on to Gillam.
Here things started to look up as the journey took us through beech lined roads that shone with autumn colour until we arrived in beautiful St Anthony Meneage. A small mooring area for local yacht owners in a delightful setting with a pretty little church behind and views of the Helford Estuary in front. We visited the church and were delighted to note that it would be entirely lit by candles on many large brass hanging candelabras as there were no apparent electric lights in the place. After lunch we drove along the Helford Estuary on little winding country lanes and over picturesque bridges through woodland and lush greenery to Helford. We had to cros
s a ford to get to this serene village. We parked up and enjoyed a stroll to the landing stage for the Helford Passage foot passenger ferry, a little excitement ensued as we had failed to notice the incoming tide and as we approached the ford for the return journey it had risen from a trickle to a flowing river some 2’ deep. As we were blessed with the Land Rover we set off bravely and never looked back, we continued on through this delightful pastoral landscape round to Helford Passage and ended our tour with a pint in a local sailing pub. Sunday 25th November – day 43
Today is our last days stay at Merries Farm and there is still so much to see in the Peninsular, so another touring day is planned. We decided to pass Falmouth and went s
traight to BEAUTIFUL St Just in Roseland, an idyllic 14th century church which nestles in a tropical setting. Lush verdant greenery everywhere, as the church yard tumbles into the Fal Estuary, from where it was possible to view the boats in a little harbour, pure unspoilt bliss. We spent rather too long here as Chris feasted his photo lens on all this vibrant Tropicana.
We left there reluctantly, and set off for St Mawes, to find another delightful, wide bayed, white washed, pretty harboured, sea fronted typical Cornish town. We took a lovely early evening stroll from the castle to the yacht club along the waters edge, and on returning to the car watched this small yellow
ferry bring its passengers over from Falmouth. Unfortunately the light was once again beginning to fade so rather than go on to visit Portscatho, we looked for the route home. Chris had spotted a sign for King Harry’s ferry - a vehicular ferry that crossed further up the Fal. Without knowing whether or not it would running, like the intrepid explorers that we are, we made the 4 mile journey along a high sided single track road in hope only, and were thrilled to see lights and signs of life on arrival -Hurray! We had arrived 10 minutes before the last ferry of the day, and we were it’s only passengers, not bad eh! Catching the ferry cut an hour off our homeward journey which meant that we were able to watch the repeat of the first episode of Cranford, missed last week as we were in the middle of our PC nightmare!
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