Botallack to Porthcurno (Oct 2nd)

Well it's time to try and take you back to Cornwall for more of the walk... if you'd strap on your boots and take my hand I will return you to the Youth Hostel at St Ives. It was a Friday morning and we set off for the bus stop about 7.30 am after making our usual breakfast.

It was a very still day, like a millpond looking over to St Michael's Mount, but no wonderful sunrise this morning.

The Scillonian was waiting quietly by the quay, ready to take its passengers to the Scilly Isles, whilst we hopped on the bus back to Botallack and began walking about 9.20.

The disadvantage of using one place as a base is the time it takes to get back to where you were, but there are advantages - especially that wonderful little restaurant back in St Ives!

Cape Cornwall

Leaving the mines and red soil of Botallack, we were soon approaching Cape Cornwall, the path a lot easier than yesterday, and headed on through the Cot Valley towards Sennen.
Cot Valley - Port Nanven

Porth Nanven has the remains of tin streaming works and is an excellent example of a fossilised beach. From here we rounded the headland with views of the Longships lighthouse, and numerous mine shafts that have been capped with circular walls.

Longships and a capped mine shaft.

Nanjulian
The cliff path had one or two steep twists which were a real scramble, but the majority of the path had been easy walking. This was one of Enid's favourite places, and we stopped in a sheltered spot at Aire Point to eat some lunch.

Aire point

I'm going to let the next few pictures speak for themselves.

We stopped for a latte at a cafe that overlooks Whitesand Bay and discussed what to do next! The path today had been fairly easy, and it wasn't far to Land's End, so, as we walked on, we decided to pick up our pace a little and head on round to Porthcurno - giving the tourist attraction aspect of Land's End a miss.

This next part of the coast is magnificent. It is such easy walking as the path just follows around the cliff top with only a couple of descents to valley floors. Again, I shall let the pictures explain.

Nanjizal

Nanjizal is a lovely spot which you have to walk to get to. Sometimes beach - sometimes stones depending on recent storms.

The path took us on past Gwennap head with its daymarks... if the red cone hides the black and white daymark you're too late - your boat is on the rocks of The Runnel Stone!

The path takes you a tiny village of Pothgwarra with its slipway, tunnel and Cornish cottages.

Onward then past Porth Chapel (above) and on to Porthcurno - (pictures in the next blog ) - but while we waited for he bus we came across this wonderful beetle!

We rested where we could...

and enjoyed this sculpture...

Our journey back upstairs on the bus was lovely, Tim chatting to three charming young people who were at uni in Cambridge... delightful company for our journey back :-)