It was bright all the way down on the Thursday, four and three quarter hours travel time despite a fifteen minute hold up near Oxford. It was warm and sheltered sitting on the wall with a cuppa by the harbour after dumping our cases. But a lot fresher on our walk to the bench above the inlet and even chillier up by Doyden Castle.
FRIDAY
It was off to Wadebridge in the morning for a run down the Camel Trail towards Padstow. Over five miles for me, longer for Alison. Then lunch at The Granary (gorgeous bacon and sausage baps) and back to the cottage for a bath.
In the afternoon we parked on the beach at Polzeath and walked along the cliffs to Daymer Bay. Some light drizzle on the way back only made us a little damp. Not enough to stop Alison admiring all the different rock formations.
SATURDAY
We left early (but not early enough) to get to Tamar Lakes Parkrun. An hour and twenty minutes was only just enough to find our way having missed the turning down a quiet track. As we parked up, all the runners were milling around the car park waiting for the start which we made by the skin of our teeth. It was a superb single loop around Upper Tamar Lake, running in lovely sunshine with a good pace despite the run the day before.
It was their 20th anniversary so there was tea and cake in the cafe. A really friendly crowd made us welcome.
Midday and we were driving to Crackington Haven. We were advised to park at St Genny's church where it was very quiet despite the wonderful views over the sea.
It was only a short walk to the clifftop overlooking Crackington Haven itself.
From Penkenna Point (top photo above) we went north and a long way downhill, then a steep uphill climb to more great views from Castle Point before lunch near the Dizzard at StoneIvy Rock.
We walked back to St Genny's across the fields before driving to Crackington haven itself. A walk across the beach ending up with an ice cream sitting on a bench.
SUNDAY
A quiet day for me, strolling down the Camel Trail in Padstow while Alison did her run from the cottage to Rock and taking the ferry to meet me at the car. Tea and cake in a cafe and a walk up to the monument, sitting on a bench for ages in lovely sunshine.
Early afternoon we headed for the NT car park above Lundy Bay where we climbed down the rocks to sit on the beach and watch a buzzard hover overhead.
MONDAY
Our big day (although Saturday came close) at Kynance Cove. The drive is an hour and a half, but it was worth it. We needed that cup of tea at the cafe overlooking the cove before we started on our walk.
We had never taken the route along the clifftop towards Lizzard Point. It was a superb walk, we had to keep stopping to take in the view.
At Lizard Point we found a bench for our lunch stop. We explored the area around the lighthouse before heading back.
Back at Kynance Cove, the tide was going out and after another cup of tea at the cafe, we could get down onto the beach and stroll around all the rocks.
There were quite a few people on the beach, like us not wanting to leave in the superb late afternoon sun. So we finally arrived back at the cottage after 7 pm.
TUESDAY
Another Camel Trail run in the morning, this time for me towards Bodmin, following the river in beautiful woods. Over seven miles for me, less for Alison going towards Padstow. Again lunch at the Granary, a full breakfast for me.
We were completely self catering this year, so we did our big shop at Tesco and had a quiet afternoon back at the cottage.
WEDNESDAY
We always find time to do our walk from the cottage to Pentire Head via Rumps, and this was the day. A very familiar walk, but very quiet and still spectacular. At Lundy Bay we were the only ones on this fabulous beach. Rumps (our first destination) and the island of Mouls in the distance.
And now having arrived .
On to Pentire Head overlooking Polzeath. Quite windy but we clambered down a short way to find a sheltered spot for lunch.
Dodging a herd of cows on the way there and back, we had tea back at the cottage. Alison still had time to get to Polzeath for a stroll while I was able to read outside for the only time.
THURSDAY
A morning run from Polzeath along the cliffs to Daymer Bay and a run on the beach (my first). Alison had already run from the cottage when we met at the car. It was great running in the sun with the sea on our right. It was quite undulating so it was good to reach the flat beach. At least the sand was pretty hard.
A quick change back at the car, a tour of a few shops in Polzeath and then lunch on the balcony of a cafe.
It actually clouded over in the afternoon so we had a quiet time back at the cottage.
FRIDAY
Nearly every year we do the same thing on the last day. Park at Rock, a walk along the other end of Daymer Bay, the ferry over to Padstow, fish and chips for lunch (our second time at Rick's).
Then a wander round the shops (with a purchase of a Janine Partington "Cow Parsley" - vitrious enamel on copper plate) and a walk past the monument to the far beach.
Back in Padstow for an ice cream, more tea (it had become rather cool) before the ferry back to Rock.
SATURDAY
An early start again to pack the car and get to Lanhydrock Parkrun for 9am. We knew that we somehow had to get through Bodmin even though the centre was closed to traffic. No diversion signs so we ended up going in the wrong direction. Turned around and found a garage. I spoke to a man coming out with a newspaper and he gave me excellent directions through the outskirts of the town. Again we just made it before the start.
We really needed trail shoes for the difficult terrain where there are no flat paths and the hills are steep. But the tea and cake in the cafe afterwards was wonderful. No walk around this NT property this year as rain was forecast. Fortunately the drive back was dry and the rain only caught up after we were home. A trawl through the photos shows how lucky we were with the weather.
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