Home again

We woke earlier to a lovely clear sunrise with Lottie keen to go out, but by the time we were ready to leave heavy clouds were appearing. Van-Man gave Lottie a second short walk round the camp site while I washed up and got the van ready.

We set off straight for home. Van-Man handed over the helm to me at Victoria Services. My first drive was dry but windy, however I have got used to the gusts and managed to keep up to 60mph most of the way. I stopped at the Hog and Hedge at Whiddon Down where we walked Lottie, used the facilities and enjoyed excellent coffee.

Sally-Van

Unfortunately Van-Man drove into long queues waiting to get on the M5 at Exeter. As we reached the last exit we heard on the radio that 2 lanes were closed due to a broken down lorry. He turned off but ended up driving towards Torquay. After turning round we headed cross country to Honiton which was tricky and congested as lots of other drivers were by passing Exeter. He stopped briefly at the Honiton services for a toilet break and then carried on driving only to get stuck in a queue of traffic at Monkton. It was slow through the Blackdown Hills at times it felt we would have been quicker walking. The queues and stop start only abated after we joined the A303. Slowly the traffic flowed quicker.

Van-Man eventually stopped at the first lay-by after Solstice Services. This section had taken him over two hours.

The rain eased as I took over and I managed to drive at a good pace. We reached the M25 at 15.45 which we hoped was early enough to avoid the worst traffic jams. We eased onto the M25 without too much trouble and the traffic improved after we passed the M3 turn off. I drove into Cobham services to find a large area including that reserved for caravans, coned off. I had to park in the car park taking up two spaces to fit Sally-Van in.

Van-Man had an easy drive home as the M25and A22 were running freely at the speed limit.

It was not the easiest journey home from Cornwall.

West Pentire.

its a long way down

It was a dry morning so we walked Lottie at West Pentire. We walked along the cliff top towards Crantock beach but had to turn back before we got there. We then went to a supermarket and bought tonight’s meal and travel food for the journey home tomorrow.

Van-Man dropped me off at Blaze Church so I could join the family for the church service. He then drove to our daughters’ house and relaxed for the morning. Lottie stretched out in the middle of the lounge floor, something she doesn’t do when the family are at home.

goodbye sea

We arrived home bring pizza for lunch. Then we began a game of Monopoly with the older children. One dropped out then Van-Man walked Lottie. While he was out I played his hand for him. Despite Melody’s best efforts, my daughter's helpful swaps and my negotiations Van-Man won even though he had been out for an hour.

Lottie became restless while Chelle got their food ready so we said goodbye as they needed a quiet evening to get ready for school. Their schools have a different half term to most counties. I think it is because Cornwall depends on tourism so many parents need to be working on national half term week.

We filled with diesel and had a quiet evening before going home tomorrow.

Netflix at Holywell

Holywell dunes

tasty fresh water besisde the sea

We got up after eight so Lottie must have been as tired as her owners. We set out to walk Lottie at Holywell beach but on arrival at the NT car park we had to wait to see if our Motor Home could be parked as most of the car park was cordoned off.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

the life guards watch the few surfers

“Oh that area is need for the film crew... they are filming a new Arthurian Series for Netflix.”

“So they are stables then?” I pointed to la long marquee with stable like doors.

“Yes there will be horses charging along the beach in the film.”

the rocks offshore

Meanwhile his friend had moved the barriers sideways into the film set area giving an extra row of vehicles.

clean sand

The space was instantly filled by us several cars and another motor home.  We had to walk alongside the temporary road that had been laid down to get the film vehicles in place.




When we crossed the river Lottie insisted on going in for a drink. thirst satisfied we walked along the beach returning up into the deserted dunes.

The clouds started building quickly while we were walking back.  By the time we reached our daughter’s who was preparing lunch it was raining.

going up..

We relaxed after lunch until the rain stopped and then set out for a walk with the whole family. By the time we arrived at Goss Moor it was drizzling again. Lottie insisted on getting out so we waited for the family at the start of the path as cows were preventing us going further.

...through the dunes...

...as the clouds build...

By the time they arrived it was raining heavily. Our daughter jumped out from the driver’s seat and jogged over holding a small child’s coat over her head and shoulders.

“I like the rain gear” I said.

“It’s Verity’s. Her coat was on top.

Nobody wants to walk in this.”

up to the top

The rain was increasing as she spoke.

“We’ll see you later then,” Van-Man said. Fortunately the cows had moved away from the path so we followed the track until we met a large herd. We retreated gladly.

and down the other side

We had an entertaining evening with the family. The rain couldn’t prevent that.

We were fortunate to pitch in the dry and hook up to the electricity before the rain pelted down again.

through the vegetation

Seal Watch

seals at Godrevy Point

seals with young relaxing on the sand

The wind howled around the van during the night but I still had a good sleep. We got ready to leave lazily and left the campsite before 11 and headed east. At Land’s End that is the only way to go. We took our time as we can’t meet up with the family until 5.00.

On our way we decided to go back to Godrevy Point to walk Lottie as it was only a minor detour.

The lighthouse

This time we drove beyond the main car park to the field at the end of the road near the lighthouse.

We set out for a walk up the hill away from the lighthouse with the large Lurcher eager to explore new ground.

walking towards St Ives

Near the cliff top was a sign indicating that seals basked on the beach below.



It requested quiet voices and no sudden movements to avid startling them. We crept to the edge where several people were standing. It was high tide and the beach was full of seals relaxing on the sand.

The resting seals were unconcerned by the people far above them. I hoped Lottie wouldn’t bark but she waited patiently while we watched the occasional movement form the recumbent seals below.

St Ives from Godrevy Point

After awhile we walked Lottie around to the lighthouse where we were protected from the stiff wind. The views across the bay to St Ives were lovely.

We went back to Sally-Van for a long lunch rest. Lottie lay outside on the grass sheltered from the wind by the field’s stone wall.

good winds for sailing

After lunch we went back up the hill to look at the seals. The tide had gone out and we thought they had gone. We walked along the coast path away from the lighthouse to give Lottie a good run.
As we passed the beach on the way back I saw something move.
“The seals are there,” I said.

further along the coast path

As we watched our eyes gradually made out the seals that had moved down the beach. Lying between rocks, stones and seaweed they were almost invisible.

We walked back to the main vantage point. A large seal came out of the water and headed straight to a mum and her pup. She objected to the visitor by squealing loudly baring her teeth and trying to thump it with her flipper.

How many seals?

After a couple of minutes the newcomer retreated and left her alone.

We drove straight from Godrevy Point to Gwinear Camp site. We arrived at 3.40 and chose one of the level pitches. One was next to the toilet block so we picked the other which was next to a giant caravan with pull out sides.

the seal beach from the cliffside

Fortunately the pitches were well spaced apart so it didn’t feel too close.

We went over to our daughters for dinner. We had good food and great company before returning to the site in the dark after 9.00.

mum seal  argues with intruder seal

Mum seal left alone with her pup

Our pitch was not beside a bright light which I prefer as I sleep better when it is dark outside. The site was very quiet apart from the wind which gusted throughout the night.

the Minnack Theatre.

Porthcurno beach

looking down

The day was bright and clear when we woke up at 8.00. Lottie must have been tired from yesterday’s walks to let us sleep so late.

After breakfast Van-Man drove us to Porthcurno. It was a good drive with a few narrow bits but we didn’t meet any large vehicles. The spaces in the car park were a little on the short side but Van-Man backed into the soft bushes to get Sally-Van in.

climbing to the Minnack Theatre from Porthcurno beach

We walked towards the beach then followed the path to the Minnack Theatre.
At first the coast path sloped gently. Then it grew steeper. The second half of the climb was on steep rock steps twisting around the cliff face. As there were no hand rails people coming down were struggling with some of the deep steps.

the  Minnack Theatre

“I don’t want to go back this way,” I admitted as we waited for several people to descend a tricky narrow section.”

“We’ll go back along the road,” Van-Man said. We scaled the final climb and stood before the theatre. “Let’s go in,” Van-Man said.

grass topped stone seats

We walked through the Rowena Cade visitor centre which showed through historical photos how Rowena had built the theatre into the granite cliff face with her own hands so that she and her friends  could put on plays there. She was a truly remarkable lady.

We emerged into the theatre where a dress rehearsal was going on so we found a high stone bench section with grass seating and watched. As we were in the corner Lottie had a wider piece of grass to lie on.

Lottie's view

When the performer left the stage we let the people watching move then looked around the theatre.

It was an amazing piece of work. I spoke to the actor who told me he had performed there several times. I told him about the Shakespeare Company using the gardens of a hotel but thought nothing could beat acting at the Minnack unless it was raining.

“People sit with their umbrellas up and we carry on,” he laughed.

the lowest stone seats

“It does play havoc with the makeup,” I commented. “In a Midsummer Night’s Dream our fairies ere losing their silver blue colour.”

“I had a play where I had to grow old during the performance. As I am grey we did that by using a wash in dye which I rinsed out gradually to gain that effect. We thought it was better and cheaper than using several wigs. Unfortunately it poured down at the beginning of one performance and I ended up with black dye flowing down my face,” he told me.

looking down from the top

“But the show had to go on,” I replied.

“Oh yes. That’s the joy of open air theatre.”

He went off to talk to other visitors so I went back to Van-Man who had finished snapping away. He pointed up at a kiosk above us.

“I can smell pasties,” he said.

We were in luck the stall had two hot locally made pasties left.

Heading towards St Levan's Church

turquoise seas

We returned to our quiet corner to eat.

Van-Man had just finished his pasty when an announcement was made.

“Please can everybody leave the theatre now so that we can prepare for the afternoons performance. I still had half my pasty left but then it was huge. I put it back in its paper bag and prepared to evacuate with everybody else.

They could have warned us,” I said.

Van-Man checked the ticket. This lasts all day. We can come back in after the performance.”

“We won’t be around later.

“True but we’ve seen everything and I don’t think Lottie would hang about in there much longer.

Outside we walked past a long queue of people waiting for the performance.

“Will they all fit in there?” I whispered.

looking across at the rocky ascent to the  Minnack Theatre

We continued along the coast path signposted to St Levan’s church. The views from the coast path were lovely. We followed a path to the road that we thought led back to Porthcurno. The church was nowhere in sight.

“Do we really want to look at the church?” I asked wondering how far it was back to the village.

Van-Man turned right towards the Minnack Theatre.

Logan's Rocks

When we reached the theatre car park queues of cars were trying to get in, while other visitors who like us had just left were queuing to get out. As we walked down the lane we found it was single track in places so cars were having trouble getting out or in.

“I’m glad were walking,” Van-Man said. “I could have driven up there but we’d never squeeze Sally-Van back down.

pristine sand by Logan's Rocks

It was quite satisfying striding past the queuing cars, only a few managed to come down the hill while we walked it.

Back at Sally-Van we had a hot drink. There’s an hour and an half left on the parking ticket,” Van-Man announced. Do you feel like walking to the Marconi Monument?”

The Marconi Monument was a white pyramid which marked the spot where the first wireless hut stood on the cliffs to the east of Porthcurno.

No way down

“I agreed, hoping the climb would not be as hair raising as the morning one. It wasn’t. It climbed up but more gently until it reached to the top of the cliffs. The track was narrow and rough but didn’t make me breathless or experience vertigo. Along the top of the cliff the path wove through vegetation that was over six feet tall. For a while we were following a couple with a spaniel but they turned off down a narrow path that led towards the cliff edge.

is that it?

We passed several narrow paths but didn’t spot the memorial.We came to a cleared area above the beach that has Logan’s Rock at one end. We stopped to chat to another tourist who was sat with his dog enjoying the views when the couple with a spaniel appeared coming up from below us.

We decided to follow that path back to see if it led to the Marconi Monument. 

Lottie checks out the Marconi Monument 

That path gave a quick glance of the Monument and wonderful views of Logan’s Rock and the beach below. The Marconi Monument suddenly appeared beside the narrow trail. After that we had an easy walk back to Porthcurno.

We reached Sally-Van with less than 10minutes on our parking ticket so quickly packed up and drove out.

Back at the camp site it was windy but we watched another nice sunset from the comfort of our motor home.

time to descend

Lands’ End Sunset

Starting the walk

along the farmers fields

It was chilly when we got up but the sky was clear. After yesterday’s antics on the roads Van-Man decided to leave Sally-Van on site and walk to Sennan Cove. He chatted to staff and photographed the instructions.

“We can have lunch at Sennan Cove, giving us a break before walking back,” he announced.

part way down to the beach

The footpath went through our camping site, across a couple of farmers fields and then through The Caravan and Motor home Club site. We went all the way around the edge of the rival site then spotted the short cut as we climbed the stile into a field of cows. The walk was easy on level or gently downhill ground. We reached the lane and dithered then followed a footpath down a sloping twittern. It grew steeper and steeper with steps in places. My heart sank at the thought of climbing back up to the top.

Gwynver Beach

The beach is closer than I thought,”
 Van-Man announced as we stepped onto the sand.

“There’s no cafe,” I pointed out.

Walking to Sennan Cove

“It must be beyond that headland.” Lottie charged into the sea and sat down to cool off. We walked along the beach then climbed back up onto the coast path crossing a small stream where Lottie had a long drink. The footpath climbed up and twisted between rocks. Often we had to scramble over them.

At last Sennan beach opened up before us. A sign showed that there was a dog ban still in operation. On the far side of the long curving beach was the cafe.

It's still a long way to the cafe

“We’ll have to go round on the coast path,” Van-Man said. I didn’t fancy that and pointed to a couple with a dog above us. It looks a long way,” I warned.

Van-Man turned back reluctantly but brightened up when I told him I had cereal bars and crisps in my bag.

On reaching the dog friendly beach called Gwynver beach we sat on some rocks and had our snacks. Lottie had another drink from the stream.

back on Gwynver Beach

We strolled along the beach towards the far end then had to catch Lottie who had gone scrounging for food. The lady had been hidden by the rocks from our sight but not Lottie’s nose.

Once the hound was captured we tackled the steep climb back. It was hard work with the knowledge there was over half an hour’s walk at the top. We were hot at the top but had drunk nearly all our water. At least we cut straight across the camp site this time.

After plodding back we reached Sally-Van at 1.30 for a cup of tea and a proper lunch. We’d been out three and a half hours. After lunch we put our tired feet up.

Rocks off Land's End

 Van-Man suddenly leapt into action.
“It’s going to be a good sunset tonight,” he announced. “Let’s go to Lands’ End. The parking is cheaper after 5.00.”

We set off at 17.30 parked up then went to look around.

clear water

We went under the sign saying Lands’ End into a shopping arcade with lots of food outlets which were now all closed.
A hotel hogged the land beside the arcade. Forty years ago this was just heather and rocks.
The views were still excellent. We walked along the coast path past a farm with llamas, rare pigs and a building housing exotic crafts. 
Beyond them was the coast path twisting along the headland above the sea. 

rock arch

Lighthouse or Land's End Monster?

We had a good walk and returned to Sally-Van with half an hour left to sundown. As it was getting chilly we waited in the Van until five minutes to sunset then strode to the spot Van-Man had chosen for his photos.

Rock Duck

We watched the sky redden as the sun sank below the Atlantic then hurried back to our warm van.Back on site as soon as Sally-Van was on her ramps to make her level the electric was plugged in and Van-Man put a hunk of meat in the oven.

Sunset

 When he went to take the meat out he lost his grip on the aluminium tray and the meat shot onto the floor. The sauce it was cooked in flew everywhere splattering the drawers, loo door and the cooker.
I rescued the meat before the startled hound got her teeth into it. Quickly I carved the outside off before serving smaller potions for dinner. Meanwhile Van-Man wiped down the splattered surfaces before the sauce stuck.

 We ate the meat with a big salad and then tackled the mess again. Van-Man lifted the dog carpet which I made from stiff blanketing to protect the new carpet from muddy hound paws.

going

going

 It had protected the real carpet from the sticky sauce and rolled it into a bundle with the sticky stuff on the inside.
           "What shall I do with this?" He asked.

I took it off him and folded it up smaller and put it next to the toilet. Fortunately the whole bathroom is a wet room so it will be easy to clean if any sticky stuff oozes out.

We settled down with Van-Man lamenting how the day’s meals had not gone to plan.

gone