112 Porthallow to Coverack

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

Today the forecast is good – intermittent sunshine and no rain. Yippee! Below is the view from my bedroom window in the B&B at Porthallow.

01 view from B&B window, Porthallow, Ruth's coastal walk

Last night I slept with the window open to hear the sound of the sea. Continue reading →

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111 Mawnan, Helford, Porthallow

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

It took me seven hours of travelling time and four different trains, but I am down in Cornwall for another three days of coastal walking along the South West Coast Path.

But I am on my own. This is both exhilarating and anxiety-provoking.

Without my husband, and with no public transport service operating along my route, I am entirely reliant on my two legs to get me from A to B. I’ve planned the itinerary more carefully than normal, with shorter walks than usual and pre-booking a series of B&Bs along the way. My luggage is being transported by http://www.luggagetransfers.co.uk/.

01 Mawnan Church, Ruth's coastal walk, Cornwall What could possibly go wrong?

Hmmm. Let’s see. What could go wrong? Continue reading →

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110 Zone Point, St Mawes, Falmouth, Mawnan

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

Today is a day of glorious sunshine and ferry rides. I walk at a slower pace than normal – both to take in the magnificent views and to snap photographs. I linger at St Anthony Head, surrounded by the brilliant blue sea and stunning vistas.

This is the view looking towards St Mawes, my first destination. Falmouth is beyond, further up and on the other side of the estuary.

01 St Mawes, Ruth's coastal walk, St Anthony's Head Continue reading →

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109 Nare Head to Zone Point

Posted on May 25, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

Ruth on her coastal walkWe park at Nare Head and I check my iPhone before setting off.

I have bought a new portable recharger and I am planning to leave my phone tracking device on for the duration of the walk. Usually, this drains my batteries within a few hours but, with the portable recharger, I hope to be able to map the whole day. This will give me a more accurate estimate of my mileage than my usual knotted string + map method. Continue reading →

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108 Caerhays Castle to Nare Head

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

Porthluney Beach, Ruth walking the coast.The beach at Caerhays Castle is officially known as Porthluney Cove Beach. On a hot summer’s day, I can imagine crowds of people would come here – easy access because of the car park.

It is a chilly bank holiday Monday. The tide is out and the beach is empty apart from a few dog walkers.

A sign says that dogs must be kept on a lead. But who would Continue reading →

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107 Mevagissey to Caerhays Castle

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

I set out from Mevagissey and climb up steps from the harbour, following the South West Coast Path.

Mevagissey, Ruth's coastal walk, England

The first section of my walk is along roads. I am heading for Chapel Point, a promontory with a collection of white buildings. Continue reading →

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106 Charlestown, Pentewan to Mevagissey

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

I set off from Charlestown in a steady drizzle. According to my map the South West Coast Path follows the road out of Charlestown and goes around the back of the village of Duporth before rejoining the coast. I don’t know why the official route appears to take this deviation because, at the bottom of the harbour road, there is a footpath sign pointing straight up the cliff. This is the path that I follow, climbing up and out of Charlestown.

Despite the dull weather, the harbour looks very attractive below me.

Charlestown, Ruth's coastal walk, Cornwall

Usually I avoid setting off Continue reading →

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105 Polkerris to Par Sands to Charlestown

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

I start today’s walk from Polkerris where, due to recent rock falls, the South West Coast Path is diverted away from the cliff edge. Unfortunately, this means a hike along the road. The climb out of Polkerris is punishing, but my hip has miraculously healed itself overnight and I am pain-free.

I haven’t gone very far before I hear the sound of a car horn and, a few minutes later, encounter three sheep on the loose. This one gives me a haughty stare.

sheep on the road out of Polkerris, Ruth walking round the coast Continue reading →

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104 (b) Fowey to Polkerris

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

on the South West Coast Path, looking over to Fowey

We stand on the quay and look over from Polruan to Fowey. The ferry is here. A crowd of passengers has gathered. But there appears to be a technical hitch. Continue reading →

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104 (a) Polperro to Fowey

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Ruth Livingstone

Polperro Harbour, Ruth walking the coast, South West Coast PathPolperro is a traditional, Cornish fishing village. Narrow roads. No cars allowed. My husband drops me off on one of the access roads and I walk down into the town.

The streets in Polperro are still quiet. I am here early. The tide is out and a few people are working on their boats, beached in the muddy harbour area. Continue reading →

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