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Derek's Walking Home Page.com WALKING the South West COASTAL PATH

It's another year and Colin and me travel down to Cornwall to walk a section of the South West Costal Path. We set off from Leamington Spa at 6.15 to arrive at Trevella Campsite, Crantock, near Newquay at 11:00am to erect our tent. We are now ready for a day's walking. For more information on each day's walk see "Lifetime of Walks by Derek Harwood"

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PADSTOW - COT VALLEY ..... 244.5 Miles
29th June to 4th July 2002
Sunday 24th June 2001 --------- Padstow to Portcothan
...................................................... SWCP No: 16 ................................Walk No: 479
25 degC. 0% Cloud. 2% Rain. No Wind.
We park edthe car in the car park at Trevose Head as 12:45 and cycled to to Padstow. Started walking from Padstow Harbour at 1:30pm the tide is out, bikes locked to fence by old railway station Finished walking Porthcothan at 7.00pm Lots of sky lark on grassy slopes, singing their hearts out. Sea very calm to the east of Trevose Head. Walked close to lighthouse on Trevose Head. Lots of holiday makers on beaches in sunshine. Hundreds of birds in large trees on bottom of campsite. Filled water container at Trevose from toilet basin and again at finish – so thirsty. Magnificent views. Flock of sheep in field near Portreath – first remembered since start at Padstow. Immediate descent from start into Cross Coombe, back up high again and immediately down yet again into Trevaunance Cove. Good walking around St Agnes Head to Chimney and Engine House for lunch on seat. Asked car park attendant at Chapel Porth which was best way, but he didn't know the Way was the SW Coastal Path.
.................................................5 miles cycling.................12.5 Miles walking

Monday 25th June 2001 ----------- Porthcothan to Newquay
......................................................... SWCP No: 17 ................................Walk No: 480
25 degC. 5% Cloud. 0% Rain. Very Hot and Dry. No wind, no fear of hat blowing off.
Moved campsite to Crantock, near Newquay. Started walking from Porthcothan 11:00am. Lunch on Berry's Point. Magnificent views of rocks, birds flying and waves crashing. Pint in The Mermaid at Porth – first district of Newquay. Different walk through Newquay and shopping precincts. Difficulty finding way to the gannal and bridge. Long walk along road back to campsite, SE of Crantock. Finished at 6:00pm. Showered before collecting bikes. Another pint in Mermaid at Porth. Tried to have lunch at Watergate, but no pub, only hotels.
.................................................11 miles cycling...................13.5 miles walking

Tuesday 26th June 2001 ------------ Newquay to St Agnes
........................................................... SWCP No: 18 ................................Walk No: 481
21 degC. 90% Cloud. 5% Rain. Cloudy but Warm and Breezy especially on Tops and Beach. Started cycling from airfield Crosscombe to Grantock Beach 10 miles 10.15am Slight diversion to camp site to collect sacks and boots. Started walking 11:45, robin by car parking attendant. No sheep spotted all day. Helicopter landed in Penhale Camp. Lots of conventional aerials on high point of Penhale Point. One aerial set, two crosses together, ie 8 points of thick rings all standing on end. High fence with lots of notices around the double cross. Two miles long walk down Perran Beach, very hard walk on soft sand against wind. Watched surfers on southern end of Perran Beach – very good. Manhole covers on path around Shag Rock just after Perran Porth. Evidence of waste discharge into sea at base of cliff (water brown - not blue). Lots of evidence of old mining works around Cligga Head. Colin and I threw a large stone down a gulley by Hanover Cove. We could hear the stone bouncing for an age. Walked past point where Darren, Clare and I viewed coast while on holiday at Travellers Holiday Camp with Sylvia and Lily. Finished walk at 5:30pm
................................................10 miles cycling.................11.5 miles walking

Wednesday 27th June 2001 ---------- St Agnes to Portreath
............................................................... SWCP No: 19 ................................Walk No: 482
21 degC. 60% Cloud. 0% Rain. Helpful breeze on bikes and cool when walking. Started Walking from Cross Coombe at 12:00 near airfield. Flock of sheep in field near Portreath – first remembered since start at Padstow. Immediate descent from start into Cross Coombe, back up high again and immediately down yet again into Trevaunance Cove. Good walking around St Agnes Head to Chimney and Engine House for lunch on seat. Asked car park attendant at Chapel Porth which was best way, but he didn't know the Way was the SW Coastal Path. Pint in bar at Travellers Rest in Portreath – first we could find all day. Very difficult to get walking again, especially uphill. Bike ride very hard – 4 big hills. Walking very hard – 7 big hills. Saw two hawks (possibly sea hawks? Peregrine Falcons?) playing in cove just before Portreath, making a strange noise. Met a couple walking the Way just after Porthtowan. First since man at start this year at Padstow. They were on their third week, from Minehead, hoping to get to Penzance. Aircraft (jets) noisy again in afternoon. Watched light aircraft pulling glider from airport at start and around St Agnes Head.Finished Walking at 6:00pm at Deaman's Cove.
.................................................12.5 miles cycling...................12.5 miles walking

Thursday 28th June 2001 ----------- Portreath to St Ives
............................................................ SWCP No: 20 ................................Walk No: 483
21 degC. 80% Cloud. 20% Rain. Strong Southerly Breeze
Colin saw another adder but I missed it, saw first rabbits on this walk. Cycles from St Ives campsite at 11.30. Colin broke bike chain in centre of St Ives, and mended it with two pieces of edging stone. Wind in favour of cycling. Started walking from Reskajeage Downs at 12:30. Hard walking at top of sand dunes and on each from road B3301Godrevy Towans to Hayle. Especially soft sand and into stiff breeze towards beach. Dinner on sand dunes. Pint in Royal Standard Inn (Hayle). Long walk around to Lelant. Walk along the coast to St Ives very hilly, up and over railway several times. Walked around St Ives to campsite. Pint in Standard Inn again on way to collect bikes.
................................................12 miles cycling...................14 miles walking


Friday 29th June 2001 ---------- St Ives to Rosemergy
............................................................ SWCP No: 21 ................................Walk No: 484
18 degC. 95% Cloud. 10% Rain. Muddy in places, stepping stones added in places.
Started cycling 10:15 from toilets on B330 near coast path (4 miles from Zennor). Parked cycles by reception on campsite in St Ives. It rained for approx 20 miles while cycling. Colin's chain broke again on last hill outside St Ives. We passed and was overtaken by a chap from Walsall who had just started a Land's End to John O'Groats cycle ride for charity. When Colin's chain broke he helped by loaning us his chain splitter. Colin took out the broken link and the cyclist's back-up joined us. The cyclist continued on and left the back-up with us to retrieve the link splitter. Colin completed the chain and the back-up sped away in his Landrover. Colin realised he had threaded the chain wrongly through the minor wheels of the gear selector. We continued but Colin couldn't change gear. We started walking at 11:30am. I talked to a Swiss lady who was walking to Zennor from St Ives. Colin walked ahead. The weather changed continually, sun for a short time then rain at the finish. I was soaked near the finish of the walk when it rained for over ½ hour. Cows were on the path, so I diverted in the rain and and got lost among the walled fields. I found the track again and walked up a bridle track to the road, Colin was walking at another track to the road. Finished walk 4:30pm. Collected bikes from St Ives and dismantled gears to correct chain around small wheels.
.................................................10 miles cycling...................10.5 miles walking


Saturday 30th June 2001 ----------- Rosemergy to Cot Valley
............................................................ SWCP No: 22 ................................Walk No: 485
21 degC. 50% Cloud. 10% Rain. Very Pleasant Walking, 90% Enjoyment.
Trevaylor campsite Fri/Sat, Botallack, near St Just. Excellent value for money, all drinks £1.50, we have paid over £2 for beer most days. Dropped cup after washing it up for last time of holiday. Swifts flying very low around the campsite, during evening and morning. Lots of rabbits on short grass at end of campsite field. Shortened walk and cycle ride from Lands End to Cot Valley. Parked on side of road opposite huge rhubarb looking plants. Started cycling 10:00am for 6½ miles to toilets near Long Carn. Started walking 10:45am. Excellent walk around Pendeen Watch to remains of old workings at Trewellard Bottoms. Excellent examples of old engine houses along coast all the way to Zawn. Discussed birds with twitchers near Pendeen Watch. Saw gannets flying. Lunch high over inlet looking across to Cape Cornwall. Memories of old lady selling flowers (cactus) as we passed Cape Cornwall car park from previous holiday. Very warm in Cot Valley as we approached car.
.................................................6.5 miles cycling...................7.5 miles walking


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SWCP 25th June 2001 - Map Courtesy www.streetmap.co.uk
24th June 2001 - North to Gunver Head
24th June 2001 - Padstow Harbour
24th June 2001 - Colin on Trevose Head
Monday 25th June 2001 - Newquay Harbour
Monday 25th June 2001 - North to Trevose Head
SWCP 25th June 2001 - Map Courtesy www.streetmap.co.uk
Monday 25th June 2001 -Trenance Point
Derek's Walking Home Page.com
SWCP 29h June 2001 - Map Courtesy www.streetmap.co.uk
SWCP 29h June 2001 - Map Courtesy www.streetmap.co.uk


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Devised: July 2002