lockdown

From Caerthillian around Lizard Point to Bass Point….

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A rather unpleasant day, mostly mizzly and with quite a brisk breeze, though at times it showed promise, the sun didn’t manage to break through. Undeterred we parked up on the village green and wandered down towards Caerthillian Cove. Visibility is not good but we love the natural ruggedness of the stretch of coastline, looking north towards Kynance…

Heading south towards the Lizard, there is plenty of grassland for Poppydog to enjoy a run about but a tad too close to the edges of these treacherous cliffs to ‘off road’.

A bit further along the path Lizard Point comes into view, with the Lighthouse just visible up on top….

As always it is quite busy with visitors and indeed Polpeor Cafe boasting probably the best sea views anywhere in the world is doing a roaring trade (albeit with considerably less tables than usual) and from past experience I would highly recommend a sit down and bite to eat whilst you enjoy the views.

It is all a bit too busy for us here so after a quick peak down at Polpeor Cove and the old lifeboat station and spotting a couple of seals bobbing about in the waves, we moved on.

Along the path a bit, past the footpath up to the car park, as the numbers of people about cleared dramatically, we took a moment to look across Polbream Cove (not accessible) at the point with its random collection of buildings seemingly perched along it’s rocky spine.

We continue along the coastal path and enjoy our first glimpse of Housel Bay…

A beautiful white sandy cove (only at low tide) with typically turquoise seas (when the sun shines!).

Housel is accessed down very steep stone steps and a serious clamber over large rocks at the bottom which usually keeps the crowds away. It is also quite tricky for dogs to get on and off the beach and as the tide was half in we decided to leave it for another day.

The steps run down through this steep valley….

Back up the other side of the valley looking back down on the cove with the Lighthouse visible in the distance.

Further along the coastal path we pass Lloyd’s Signal Station (now a rather luxurious holiday home) and around Bass Point before taking an inland turn back into Lizard village. One of the beauties of living in Lizard village (which we did for 5 years) is that it is a bit like a bicycle wheel with many spokes of footpaths leading out on to the coastal path all the way round.

From Chyvarloe along Halzephron Cliffs….

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Wet this morning and with mizzly skies looking set in for the day, we were not overly excited at the thought of an afternoon walk. However, needs must and so we headed off to Chyvarloe. Surprisingly here, although barely 5 miles north, the sky was much clearer with even a few glimpses of blue and some sunshine! Instead of following the footpath down to Loe Bar we took the footpath across fields towards the sea to join the coastal path heading south. We are not disappointed when we get this fabulous view of Fishing Cove, Gunwalloe…

Either side of the footpath are fields strewn with grasses and wild flowers providing Poppydog with a fabulous playground to run off a bit of energy…

Who doesn’t love a Poppy Field?….

We resisted the temptation to go down and enjoy Fishing Cove, continuing along the coastal path to discover Halzephron Cove….

Last time I came looking for this cove, the tide was high and it was lashing down with rain and the mission was unsuccessful. Pity that there is no way down onto the beach, though I’m sure the resident gulls where somewhat relieved! As we continued along Halzephron cliffs, looking back on the cove with spectacular views along Fishing Cove and Loe Bar.

Further along the cliffs we were mesmerised by a kestrel? sparrow hawk? hovering over the cliff edge….

And down below Pedngwinian Cove – not exactly a beach but still pretty dramatic…

We sat at the end of the world for a while, enjoying a bit of blue sky and sunshine…

Looking southwards at the low cloud sitting over the Lizard and Dollar Cove splendid at low tide.

A surprisingly warm and part sunny 5.5 mile walk after such a gloomy start to the day is always a bonus!

A short walk down from Chyvarloe to Loe Bar….

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A lovely, mostly sunny and warm day. Today we are meeting up with friends at the little car park at Chyvarloe up above Loe Bar (South). Following the track from the car park, we soon get our first glimpse over a field gate, down on the Bar and the beautifully tranquil sea beyond.

A bit further on and the bar (a natural sand and shingle bar separating Loe Pool – the largest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall from the sea) appears before us at the end of the track.

Today the colours of and surrounding (the Penrose Estate NT) the Pool are so vibrant as to somehow almost look unnatural, as though a little bit of artistic licence has been applied to the palette.

With absolutely no hesitation Poppydog is in there, not even waiting to have her lead removed….

To be honest it was so very beautiful and peaceful, that having found ‘our spot’, all ideas of an extended walk disappeared and instead we sat and chatted the afternoon away! Poppydog was for once quite content to chase into the water after her ball and actually bring it back for it to be thrown again – happy days.

When we did eventually decide to move on it was only to cross the bar and walk back along the sea….

There were very few other people about – have we found ‘our spot’ for the summer?

From Treleaver to Lankidden….

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As the summer holidays liven up, the hunt is on to find a cheeky little cove to hide away on. Easier said than done of course as everyone else is trying to do the same thing! Today we thought we would give Downas Cove another whirl, oh yes and continue on to take a closer look at Lankidden.

It is such a lovely hot sunny day and with low tide due at 12.30 we make our way over to Arrowan (as close as you can get to Lankidden by car) just before 12. We are of course too late to park up in any of the few roadside spaces and so head back Treleaver where we parked last time and nabbed the last spot. As before a short albeit steep down and up takes us across the heather covered Beagles Point….

And the steep climb down Downas Valley to the cove.

Unfortunately a few families were there before us and though by no means busy it is not quite the little secret haven I had in mind…

Still it is such a glorious hot sunny afternoon we were inclined to stay awhile….

As the tide was starting to come in and indeed it did come in quickly here, we successfully negotiated the rock pool (where we came unstuck last time) and rejoined the coastal path.

This time though we continued along to take a look at Lankidden….

Here the tide is already well in and knowing that the final ascent is via a rope, we decided against venturing down, instead continuing our walk inland through the quiet single track lanes back to the car – a very enjoyable 5.5 mile circuit.

Along Predannack Downs to Kynance….

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Another of those days that matured into a lovely sunny afternoon and evening. Today we returned to the NT car park at Higher Predannack and upon joining the coastal path we headed south towards Kynance.

Here too the coastal path runs through flower strewn meadows, mostly away from the cliff edge and with nobody about there was plenty of opportunity for Poppydog to run about freely.

The sea looks more peaceful today with an endless mix of blues and greens, blending into a clear blue sky and glittering under the sun. The odd yacht bobbing under full sail in the distance being the only reminder that we are not totally alone enjoying this beautiful afternoon,

After a while we arrive at Soapy Cove, still quite stony as the tide is high and though we would have both welcomed a paddle, I can’t find a safe route down or leastways one that we would be able to clamber our way back up.

Instead Poppydog has to make do with a wallow and drink in the stream that feeds its way down into the cove – she is never happier than when she is having a good wallow!

Soon we have our first breathtaking view of Kynance and the Lizard beyond.

Nearer and the thin strip of white sand appearing between the rocks as the tide recedes looks almost hand painted and surrounded by turquoise seas, quite unlike any seascape you would expect to see in the UK – again I am reminded of the natural beauty of our coastline. Above the cove the car park glittering with many many cars an indicator of just how many people will be clamouring to get down onto the beach as more sand appears and a very good reason for us to turn back!

We return via an inland path across the downs not encountering a soul.

Unless of course you count this little chap peering out of the shady hedgerow at us! Fortunately he and his companions are only curious enough to watch us pass by without the need to get any closer!

How amazing to walk these beautiful coastal downs a mere couple of miles from where we live!