Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK)

135b Bude Bay to Morwenstow

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

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 →

Posted in 10 Cornwall | Tagged coast, england, hiking, photography, travel | 5 Comments

135a Bude to Northcott Mouth

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

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 →

Posted in 10 Cornwall | Tagged coast, hiking, photography, travel, walking | 10 Comments

134 Crackington Haven to Bude

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

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.

Continue reading →

Posted in 10 Cornwall | Tagged cliffs, coast, photography, travel, walking | 15 Comments

133b Boscastle to Crackington Haven

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

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.

Continue reading →

Posted in 10 Cornwall | Tagged coast, hiking, photography, travel, walking | 15 Comments

133a Tintagel to Boscastle

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

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.

Continue reading →

Posted in 10 Cornwall | Tagged coast, hiking, photography, travel, witchcraft | 6 Comments

132 Tintagel

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

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.

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Posted in 10 Cornwall | Tagged Camelot, coast, Legend, photography, travel | 11 Comments

131 Port Isaac to Trebarwith Strand

Posted on September 7, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

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?

Continue reading →

Posted in 10 Cornwall | Tagged coast, hiking, photography, travel, walking | 14 Comments

130 Padstow to Port Isaac

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

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 →

Posted in 10 Cornwall | Tagged coast, hiking, photography, travel, walking | 13 Comments

129 Trevone to Padstow

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

It is early September, the tide is out, and Trevone Beach is a bare expanse of sand. On my previous visit in August the incoming tide had forced the crowds to huddle at the apex of the beach. But today I can only see a handful of people strung out along the water’s edge.

I look westwards, across to the Merope Rocks and the lifeboat station. It is always satisfying to scan the route of my last walk and so I spend a few minutes tracing my path across those distant cliffs. Continue reading →

Posted in 10 Cornwall | Tagged beach, coast, daymark, photography, travel | 11 Comments

128 Porthcothan to Trevone

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

The bus from Newquay takes an hour and the route is tortuous with constant stops along the narrow lanes to negotiate rights-of-way with oncoming traffic. We pass by the tiny Newquay Airport. You might be lulled to sleep by the endless journey, and if you nod off you could easily miss the stop at Porthcothan.

Continue reading →