Porthtowan to Gwithian (Oct 8th)

Our routine on a walking day saw Tim up and about first just before 7am. We made our own breakfasts, usually a porridge of some sort and toast maybe, then packed some lunch things which we may have bought the day before, if not, we'd pick them up from the shop at the bus stop.

My usual rations were; a pack of ready salted crisps, an apple, a banana, 'exotic' dried fruit (apricot, coconut,papaya etc),a lump of cheese, rye crackers, and some form of chocolate! Also, about one and a half litres of water in a platypus.

I found these provisions ideal, and spread out through th day kept me going very well. I'd usually have something at about 11am, then pick at things through the day. Sometimes we had a proper stop for lunch, other times we wanted to keep moving - we seemed to agree about these quite naturally (or perhaps Tim just gave in - you'll have to ask him...).

Perran

We caught the 8.13 bus to Perran, it was still and quiet, high tide and just beautiful. We then caught the bus to Porthtowan and were dropped at the Turn, and walked down to the beach.

As we reached the top of the cliff path we started chatting to a chap who was looking at the surf, he told us about a mother and baby seal in the next bay. We were so glad he told us about them or we would've missed them, the cliffs were a woderful red, and very shaly, but we spotted the pair on the beach below.

Mother and baby seal

Looking back up the coast we could see St Agnes beacon, but the beach we'd walked on to Porthtowan had disappeared under the high tide.

View back up coast to Porthtowan and St Agnes Beacon

The weather was glorious once again. The path only had a couple of descents, this one was Sally's Bottom, and stunning it was too!

Sally's Bottom

I had never walked this part before, around the edge of Nancekuke which is still protected by high, barbed wire fences etc.Portreath has a lovely little harbour within a harbour and shows signs of lots of new development.

Portreath, the bath in the rocks

We walked across the beach to see the bath cut into the rock by The Bassets - the lords of the manor. Apparently there are 6, but we only saw this one.

Portreath sea-water bath

It was generally easy walking from here, along the tops of the cliff towards Hell's Mouth.

This particular part reminded me of a less touristy version of Bedruthan Steps.

North Cliffs

We stopped at the cafe at Hell's Mouth for coffee, and then headed on towards Godrevy lighthouse. The path along this part is well trodden, and paved in part. As we neared Godrevy we could see lots of people standing along one stretch of cliff.

This is a real headland and could see into the Hayle estuary, Carbis Bay and St Ives beyond.


Carbis Bay