The valley of Marsland Mouth is remote and beautiful, with little tumbling waterfalls among green slopes. But the low sun creates problems with shadows and I am unable to take a decent photograph. Shame.
At 12:40pm, I cross the footbridge over the pretty stream and pass into Devon.
The climb up the far slope of the valley is as hard as I feared. Continue reading
I walk down the track from Morwenstow towards the sea, knowing I have 6 hours of good daylight in which to walk the 9 miles to Hartland Quay. I should make it easily, but I won’t have time for a pub lunch. In fact, there is nowhere to stop for lunch along this deserted stretch of coast.
The sun is slanting low across the yellow-green fields. The sea is the colour of slate. The sight of this weirdly coloured landscape is both stimulating and rather unnerving. Continue reading
I am a coward. Leaving Northcott Mouth and heading up Bucket Hill, I begin worrying. How difficult will this walk be? Will I get caught in the dark? I have less than 5 hours of daylight left. But, with only 6 miles to go, this really should not be a problem.
My map tells me I have gone over Menachurch Point and then past Westpark Pit and Sarshall’s Pit (what does ‘pit’ mean?). The path has some ups and downs, but nothing too bad. I begin to gain in confidence.
Looking ahead along the shore, I see the soft cliffs have crumbled away in places. Ahead is a gap where long lines of rocks give way to a short strip of sandy beach. That must be Sandy Mouth. Continue reading
Standing on the cliff at Upton, I look back along yesterday’s walk. I thought I had left good old Cambeak behind, but there he is, pointing his gnarly finger out into the sea. And the farthest promontory must be Tintagel. I believe I can even see the Camelot Castle Hotel.
But I am heading northwards, past Bude and onwards. The logical place to aim for is Hartland Quay. But that is 15 miles from Bude and 17 miles from my starting point at Upton. Too far. Continue reading
It is November and I am back at Crackington Haven. It’s still windy but not as windy as the last time I was here. Today the beach is deserted. Across the water I can see the humpy finger of Cambeak and the mound where I once sat to eat a bar of chocolate.
After lunch I walk up the side of Boscastle Harbour, following the South West Coast Path and heading for Penally Point. The tide is out and the water in the harbour is low. But the sun is shining and this has brought many people out for a stroll.
I climb steadily up the slope of Penally Hill, and pause to take a photograph of Boscastle village below.
After my lazy day yesterday, I feel full of energy and am keen to make good progress along the coast from Tintagel. My first stop is Boscastle, for lunch.
Ahead is an easy amble along Smith’s Cliff. The promontory of Willapark is ahead with the two rocks, The Sisters, just visible on the other side.
I decide on a short walk today. My confidence was battered by the difficult cliffs yesterday. In addition, my muscles are aching from the effects of steep climbs.
It rained heavily during the night and dark clouds still hang over the Gull Rock. But it is dry when I set off from the rocky beach of Trebarwith Strand.
Trebarwith Strand is sometimes known as Port William. There is a steady climb from the shore to the top of the cliffs, but without the terrifying steepness of yesterday.
I set off from Port Isaac , along the cliff tops. The sun is shining and there is no rain forecast today, so I am in a happy and optimistic mood. Across the bay is the magical headland of Tintagel.
After the trials of yesterday, today’s walk is going to be easy-peasy, isn’t it?
The weather forecast warns of rain this afternoon, and so I only plan a short walk, hoping to get at least as far as Polzeath, or Port Quin if I am lucky. I carry 1 small water bottle and no food.
My husband drops me off at the point where the Padstow ferry arrives on the sand at Rock. I couldn’t take a photograph of the ferry-boat yesterday because of the rain, so I am pleased to pull my camera out today and take a snap.
I walk along the shore, heading up the estuary towards the sea. The River Camel is flowing briskly and the incoming waves are creating a minor tidal bore. Continue reading
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Report: 1243 Date: 14/5/26 Location: The incident happened on the Dales Way. In the field between the railway line on Lambrook Beck and the Beck houses. This field is in the Dales Way between Sedbergh and Burneside. Rajiv’s post: We were walking on a public footpath on the Dales Way when our path was blocked […]
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Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 