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SPRING 2002 - NORTH CORNWALL COAST PATH PERRANPORTH TO TINTAGEL Perranporth, Newquay, Treyarnon, Tintagel 23/5/02-27/5/02
Thursday 23rd May (Port Isaac to New Polzeath)
Travel down leaving Luton at 06:00 arriving at Port Isaac at 10:45 uneventful apart from a stone cracking Dick's windscreen making Dick, Pat and Andy all jump in the car.
Graham, Paul and Ian followed a similar route but diverted around Bodmin taking another hour as they had problems map reading.
After parking at Port Isaac Dick took a short cut down a grass bank, however as the grass was wet and he had the wrong shoes on he slid down the bank on his behind, much to Pat and Andy's amusement.
Entering the town we stopped for a pastie then light refreshment at The Golden Lion, meeting Paul, Ian and Graham there. On leaving Andy persuaded Dick that he did not need any more food, however Andy had 2 cakes, (is he taking over from Roland).
The walk was typical of coastal paths, lots of ups and downs several having many steps. After Lund Bay the path "levelled off" to Polzeath. Just before Portquin, Dick spotted a lesser-spotted white-breasted great tit basking in the sun on the rocks. Graham and Pat also saw it but Andy could not see it, removing his sun glasses had no effect, so, he produced a pair of binoculars. Eureka, Andy had become a twitcher. We all studied the new breed then carried on to Polzeath to the Atlantic Hotel where all but Dick had cream teas (he does not like cream).
Norman and Pete met at Polzeath walking towards Port Isaac and us. Meeting us at Lund Hole, returning to Polzeath and The Atlantic Hotel.
We then drove to Perranporth stopping to get breakfast supplies on the way. After a quick wash and change we went into town to feed and water, the only problem was that food places had shut by 20:30 and the pubs were poor. All was not lost however we managed to find refreshment and sustenance in The Tywavrnhayle Inn.
Friday 24th May (Perranporth to Newquay)
We woke to spectacular views across the bay in fine sunny weather but the wind was blowing well creating great surf, something to be enjoyed all day.
After a breakfast by Grundy caterers, Dick and John moved cars before joining the others by the beach to start the walk. The walk was easier than expected with little to note but the views and surf. Paul lost his hat at one time just catching it before it was blown away forever.
Norman had to go home as his wife was not well, fortunately he did not have to go to far and his wife was not to bad.
As we approached Newquay along Crantock Beach we had to increase our walking speed owing to the need to cross a bridge over the river Gannel. The bridge was covered at high tide, hence the urgency. Most of us made it ok, Graham and Ian crossing with water lapping over their boot soles, however Pete and John did not make it so having a longer walk into Newquay.
We arrived at Newquay for lunch stopping at The Fort Inn, which had a terrace affording great views of the bay. After filling our water containers we walked into town for a pastie then on to the Skinners Arms before moving on to our Hotel.
We went back to the Fort Inn for an evening meal, as the hotel owners recommended it. Followed by more ale at the Skinners Arms where there was a group playing who were good.
When we got back to the hotel we took advantage of there bar. Dick had some problems ordering his drink but stayed the course, he started by leaning on the wall but as time went on slid down to the floor to sit there until we retired about 01:00.
Saturday 26th May (Newquay to Treyarnon)
We awoke to an overcast sky, which did not improve, as we ate breakfast. When we left it started to rain but this only lasted for 5 min then remaining fine until lunch.
The walking was not as hard as expected with a tea break taken at Mawgan Porth, we carried on to the Treadway Inn, a place which lacked style and character from the outside but surprised all once inside. Whilst enjoying light refreshment and sustenance the heavens opened, but we were warm and dry. During our stay we talked to the barmaid as to the evening's entertainment, she told of a party at a campsite but nothing going on in the pub. When it stopped raining we carried on to the hostel which was only a couple of miles.
The hostel was only yards from the beach and again gave great views of the surf. There was a lot of spume of the sea, as the waves crashed into the shore it was blown inland. Quite a sight.
We had arranged an evening meal, as the hostel was quite remote. Just as well as soon after arriving the heavens opened. The cars were moved in the rain and some wine was purchased to help dinner down.
Evening refreshment was taken at the Treyarnon Hotel. The beer was wet but the place had no atmosphere, as it kept raining we made the best of a bad job.
The hostel was full of Hooray Henries on a surfing course on there last night many did not make breakfast the next day.
Sunday 27th May (Treyarnon to New Polzeath)
We awoke to a much brighter day although still windy. After a hostel breakfast we all set off. John Stopani left us at Mother Ivey's Bay as he was going home that day. Andy was struggling with hip problems. He made it to Hairline bay but could not carry on. Lucky for him there was a very friendly tea stall proprietor who gave him a lift to Padstow where we all met for lunch.
It was a pleasant walk in the sun and wind. Dick and Pat fell a bit behind as they had to make a detour so that Pat did not get his "Boots Wet". As we reached Padstow it started to rain. We met Norman and Andy in the Shipwrights Arms for lunch, his wife being much better. After lunch we proceeded via the ferry and beach all the way to the Atlantic Hotel in sunshine. As we crossed the beach at New Polzeath Pat again took his boots of so they did not get wet, walking the last few yards to the Hotel in bear feet. We stayed at the hotel drinking tea, some eating cream teas and others sipping a pint in the sun admiring the view watching the tide come in until it was time to go to Tintagel.
After a wash and change it was into Tintagel for food and ale in the King Arthur's Arms. An interesting character was found in the Cornishman, a local who kept saying Ill'd be buggered, don't worry you'll get over it, not by any of us, until we left at the end of the night.
The walk back to the hostel was very dark and wet as there had been lots of rain whilst we had been drinking, but again it stopped in time for us to walk back.
Monday 27th May (Port Isaac to Tintagel)
The hostel was on top of the cliff and again afforded spectacular views of the coast. We could appreciate these in the clear weather. After another breakfast by Grundy's caterers we drove to Port Isaac to walk back to Tintagel. We needed the breakfast as the walking was much harder, more up and downs throughout the walk.
Andy, Norman and Pete walked from Tintagel meeting the rest at the Port William Arms before we all returned to Tintagel, the cars and the journey home.
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