Walks Archives - Page 17 of 39

Time out at The Eden Project

Posted on May 5, 2012April 8, 2021

Today I took yet another day off from walking The South West Coast Path this time not for bad weather but to visit The Eden Project, a place I’ve been wanting to visit since it’s opening in 2001.

I used public transport on the way there so I could enter for £12.50 🙂 However, there is only an hourly bus service from St Austell so prepare for a wait.

My first impression on entering the site was how small the domes were, a deception because once inside they are truly vast! I guess the site itself is quite big and the domes are below the general ground level, being built in an old kaolinite pit.

It’s very impressive but a lot quieter than the real jungle, perhaps a view jungly noises could be added. Or have a few parrots & monkeys hidden away.

I enjoyed the visit, and such a change from National Trust places with all their dire warning signs telling you everything you can’t do. To me it was all summarised by the clock which had on the dial “time to enjoy” Also the information panels are quirky with delightful inscriptions such as “Lavender.. and another thing…”

It would make a great day out with the grand kids it’s a pity it’s such a long way from Cambridge. Maybe we can get one built in the old quarry at Barrington or the lime pits at Cherry Hinton. I know, pigs might fly as well.

I decided to walk the 3 or so miles back to Charlestown, it only took 1 hour, the same as waiting for the bus and quite a pleasurable walk too especially seeing this remarkable wood carving of Neptune Sea God carved by Peter Martin in 2011 on the stump of a felled tree.

Allthe days pictures are here.

The day on Everytrail is below:
Visit to The eden Project from Charlestown at EveryTrail

South West Coast Path – Portloe to Charlestown

Posted on May 4, 2012February 22, 2017

An excellent day’s walking of 20 miles and ascended height of just under 6000 feet 🙂 with an overall average speed of 2.2mph (including stops).

A cloudy day with some mist the sun came to join me at lunch time but rapidly disappeared again to be replaced by a heavy shower at the end. But overall good walking weather.

The route took in many pretty & isolated sandy coves with the major tourist centre of Megavissey where I had my pasty and some rather yummy ginger & dark chocolate ice cream 🙂 Oh how I love walking so that I can eat what I like!

Amazing selection of wildlife today including a pair of badger cubs who were totally unafraid of me and a game bird that I almost trod on before it squawked off. I then went past the old home of A.L.Rowse with great wood carvings in the gardens, a totally idyllic setting.

I’m stopping at the Old Cooperage tonight in Charlestown pleasant enough but no WiFi so in The Rashleigh Arms enjoying the fish & chips with free WiFi.

Tomorrow is going to be a day off to visit The Eden Project.

The stats are here and photos here with Everytrail below:

South West Coast path – Portloe to Charlestown at EveryTrail

Falmouth to Portloe on The South West Coast Path

Posted on May 3, 2012August 26, 2021

Today started with two ferry crossings both costing £4 single! The first was a mega journey of 16 minutes the second taking less than 10mins. The day’s walking started in the sleepy hamlet of Place where you are carefully directed around the back of Place House so the owners can avoid the inconvenience of looking at the unkempt and spoiling their sea view.. A common practice on todays walk.

The day was overcast with very little wind so was quite pleasant walking conditions. The path’s are also much drier now with almost no bad muddy spots at all. So please don’t be put off with my earlier mud ridden posts 🙂

It was a reasonably tough 14 miles especially the last bit, I felt quite sorry for Roger & Pauline who I met on the ferry, as it is their first day of their weeks holiday to Plymouth. I really wish the National Trails could buy an acorn stencil and a can of a special colour spray paint, it would make the marking much simpler & cheaper, it is all so ambiguous with these expensive, elaborate, individually carved wooden finger posts and chunks of granite etc only situated far apart and then not at trail Y points

I met a couple of National Trust volunteers and a paid employee mending fences and later litter picking, I’m sorry to say they had to listen to my little diatribe on the evils of the National Trust. btw If you are reading this, the boardwalk and bridge at Nare Head are lovely and in good condition (although perhaps they should be stained a light green colour 🙂 ) My idea for insulating electric fences would be using spiroband see here

All in all a good day’s walking with very pretty villages. Had interesting chats with the NT folks and the volunteer National Coastwatch guy who reminded me of Jimmy in Reginald Perrin plus had a good natter with Roger and Pauline about dentistry and bureaucracy gone mad.

The Carradale b&b, booked by Luggage Transfers, is excellent, except for the usual internet problems.

The stats are here the pics here and Everytrail below

South West Coast Path – Falmouth to Portloe at EveryTrail

Porthallow to Falmouth on The South West Coast Path

Posted on May 2, 2012September 30, 2017

Today I awoke to a gorgeous sunrise at Halwyn it was an early start for me. In fact I was on the beach at 7.30, I needed to catch the low tide so I could use the stepping stones over Gillan Creek.

The starting point today is the midpoint on the trail so exactly 3 weeks after setting off from Minehead I’m now half way, will be interesting to see what the weather gods can throw my way in the next 3 weeks after the gales, sleet & heavy rain.

It was a beautiful walk today in idea conditions, I had trouble finding the stepping stones, not because of the tide, but because of the swollen state of the river! each stone was at least 6 inches under water, with the seaweed on the top of each stone it became a delicate operation 🙂

The next river crossing at the Helford passage was by ferry boat and at £4 for one way must rank it in the most expensive ferries per minute in the world.(It takes about 3 minutes).

The paths are still very muddy in places but the lush undergrowth of bluebells, wild garlic and numerous other flowers and bird song make this a very pleasurable walk.

I arrived in Falmouth to see the cremated remains of the Best Western hotel at 13.40 leaving loads of time to explore Falmouth in bright sunshine. i treated myself to a haircut not bad for a fiver but obviously Sally’s are much better 🙂

The Falmouth Lodge Backpackers at £25 is not bad value but I will be glad to be in a b&b again tomorrow if Mike can fix it up.

Biggest disappointment of the day was Rick Stein’s fish & chip shop, dreadful value at £11.60 greasy fish and almost soggy chips what is even worse is they use beef fat ughhh

Oh! Terry & Hilary it was good to meet you in your Rohan kit 🙂 Hope you had a good walk.

Pics of today are here stats are here and Everytrail below.

South West Coast Path – Porthallow to Falmouth at EveryTrail