Day 21 - Tuesday 30 May 2017
Lower Boscaswell to Porthcurno (16.2 miles)
If there was one day we wanted good weather it was today - it was not to be unfortunately. We had wanted to see Cape Cornwall & Sennen Cove etc in the sunshine but no matter. Left the cottage and caught the bus back to Pendeen but this time the bus dropped us off down at Lower Boscaswell which saved us half a mile - always a bonus. Almost immediately we were walking into days gone by and Cornwall's fine mining history. Levant Mine Workings were amazing and although we had been here before, to see it close up again and with no one about was fantastic. There are a myriad of paths going through the workings but the way marks are there to be followed. We encountered a very large rambling group who were dawdling about on the thinnest section of the path and we were therefore stuck in traffic but soon managed to pass them by.
Even on an overcast day Cape Cornwall is a beautiful place and we took our time passing around the headland and we soon headed away from the crowds to our lunch stop above Porth Nanven. Lunch over we then enjoyed an undulating and picturesque walk to Sennen Cove and a nice cold drink at The Old Success - along with lots of other people as Sennen Cove was absolutely heaving today. From the seafront the path became very busy as people transited between the Cove and Lands End and we therefore joined the merry procession of prams, buggies etc to reach the commercial metropolis of Land's End - we did not hang about here.
The remainder of the walk to Porthcurno was a delight and we saw Seals in Nanjizal Bay as well as taking a slight detour off path to visit the "Holed Headland" and the tunnel at Porthgwarra. Reaching Porthcurno it became busy again as people were visiting the Minack Theatre however we were leaving that until tomorrow - instead we headed for the safety & soliturde of The Cable Station pub before catching our bus back to Penzance. Arriving in the town we saw Pam who we met in Newquay but she did not see us - was comforting to know she was still on the path. All that was left to do was to sort out our evening meal and we plumped for a takeaway from Little India but not before having a chat with a chap who preached to us that God would look after us on the path.
Even on an overcast day Cape Cornwall is a beautiful place and we took our time passing around the headland and we soon headed away from the crowds to our lunch stop above Porth Nanven. Lunch over we then enjoyed an undulating and picturesque walk to Sennen Cove and a nice cold drink at The Old Success - along with lots of other people as Sennen Cove was absolutely heaving today. From the seafront the path became very busy as people transited between the Cove and Lands End and we therefore joined the merry procession of prams, buggies etc to reach the commercial metropolis of Land's End - we did not hang about here.
The remainder of the walk to Porthcurno was a delight and we saw Seals in Nanjizal Bay as well as taking a slight detour off path to visit the "Holed Headland" and the tunnel at Porthgwarra. Reaching Porthcurno it became busy again as people were visiting the Minack Theatre however we were leaving that until tomorrow - instead we headed for the safety & soliturde of The Cable Station pub before catching our bus back to Penzance. Arriving in the town we saw Pam who we met in Newquay but she did not see us - was comforting to know she was still on the path. All that was left to do was to sort out our evening meal and we plumped for a takeaway from Little India but not before having a chat with a chap who preached to us that God would look after us on the path.
This was a fascinating walk through the Levant Mine Workings. In its heyday the mine produced Copper, Tin & Arsenic - it closed in 1930.
Lots of impromptu cairns hereabouts
The Winding Engine House
Nearing Botallack Head
The Trig Point on Botallack Head
The ruined Chimney Stack of Carn Whim
Allen's Shaft Botallack
Crown Mine
Leaving the mine workings we had managed to overtake The Ramblers Group
Are you two coming or what?
Cape Cornwall - not catching it on a good day unfortunately
Cape Cornwall & Priest's Cove.
The Cape is the site of an old mine and in 1987 was purchased for the nation by the Heinz company in order to commemorate a century of the company's operations in the UK. The path does not go to the Old Chimney on the Cape but a simple detour enables anybody to visit it.
The Cape is the site of an old mine and in 1987 was purchased for the nation by the Heinz company in order to commemorate a century of the company's operations in the UK. The path does not go to the Old Chimney on the Cape but a simple detour enables anybody to visit it.
The Trig Point on Cape Cornwall
Maen Dower
Sennen & Lands End ahead as we head over towards Aire Point
Aire Point
A day of nothing happening at Sennen Cove - no tides, nothing
Whitesand Bay at Sennen Cove
We were both last here in 1988 - it hasn't changed that much. Even Fudge is having a drink.
"I tell you what Dad - Lands End looks a bit busy"
... and the most expensive
People were queuing up in a long line to pay for their picture at the famous sign - we improvised
Enys Dodnan & The Armed Knight rock formations at Lands End - Longships Lighthouse can just about be seen
A few hundred yards from Lands End and there is suddenly nobody about
A natural rock arch at Nanjizal Bay
"Don't blame me fellas - I was told there was a ferry from here today"
Tol-Pedn-Penwith (Holed Head of Penwith) - a natural landbridge just off path near the National Coastwach Station on Gwennap Head.
A transit can be made around the hole but if you have a pooch with you then put them on a lead
Porthgwarra Beach
The tunnel at Porthgwarra Beach. The tunnel was dug by miners from nearby St Just to allow access to the beach so that farmers
could retrieve seaweed by horse and cart. The seaweed was then used as fertiliser.
could retrieve seaweed by horse and cart. The seaweed was then used as fertiliser.
Made us chuckle
Porthcurno & a welcome drink at The Cable Station Inn before we catch the bus back to Penzance.
Fudge has a cautious eye on my Mini Cheddars
Fudge has a cautious eye on my Mini Cheddars
Overnight Accommodation
7 nights at Pogle's Cottage, Penzance
7 nights at Pogle's Cottage, Penzance
Day 21 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Cumulative Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Ascent
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Cumulative Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Ascent
16.2 miles
278.5 miles
7 hrs 20 mins
136 hrs
3733 ft
65900 ft
278.5 miles
7 hrs 20 mins
136 hrs
3733 ft
65900 ft