Day 30 - Thursday 8 June 2017
Mevagissey to Fowey (18.9 miles)
Awoke to a murky day - we were to have drizzle and strong breezes in the morning with sunny spells later - that is the challenge of walking a long distance route - no matter what the weather you hoist on the pack and get amongst it. The Old Parsonage was a lovely B&B - Izzy & Tim the owners had not been in residence long but you would not think it. Up the steps leaving Mevagissey is a grassy area and waiting to meet us were Lesley & her dog Barney who had been following our progress via Spaniel Aid - how nice of them to make the effort to say hello & wish us well.
We had almost 19 miles to walk today and from the off the steep up and downs kicked in - all the way to Charlestown. After several days on the path you become used to the fact that the (in some cases) relentless steep up & downs are part of the challenge and just need to be done. So much so that you sort of like just get on with it. After the delight of observing a Seal at Penare Point we made our way to Porthpean Beach and stopped for lunch where Izzy's Blueberry Muffins went down a treat. Passing through Charlestown we met the 2 Canadians who had taken up residence in the pub by the harbour - the area was very busy therefore we did not hang about.
Par was a bit of a shock to the system - all industrial & docks and making our way through the town we stopped off at The Par Inn. Both the staff and the locals made us very welcome and were keen to know what we were up to - we got the usual "you are doing WHAT?" when we explained our itinerary and it was a surprise when one of the chaps, Michael gave us a generous donation to Spaniel Aid. Leaving the town it was good to make our way to Par Beach and by this time the weather had cheered up a bit - Fudge as usual made straight for the sea to muck about.
The small village of Polkerris was a lovely spot and with such a picturesque harbour too. From here Gribben Head was in sight and it was a lovely stretch along the path to finally arrive at the impressive structure that serves as a daymark. With the weather holding, the transit into Fowey via Polridmouth was delightful. Reaching Fowey we checked in to The Well House and met up again with the 2 Canadians we had met a few days ago at Kennack Sands and today at Charlestown who were also staying here. A long day and notwithstanding the transit through Par this was a really good section of the path.
We had almost 19 miles to walk today and from the off the steep up and downs kicked in - all the way to Charlestown. After several days on the path you become used to the fact that the (in some cases) relentless steep up & downs are part of the challenge and just need to be done. So much so that you sort of like just get on with it. After the delight of observing a Seal at Penare Point we made our way to Porthpean Beach and stopped for lunch where Izzy's Blueberry Muffins went down a treat. Passing through Charlestown we met the 2 Canadians who had taken up residence in the pub by the harbour - the area was very busy therefore we did not hang about.
Par was a bit of a shock to the system - all industrial & docks and making our way through the town we stopped off at The Par Inn. Both the staff and the locals made us very welcome and were keen to know what we were up to - we got the usual "you are doing WHAT?" when we explained our itinerary and it was a surprise when one of the chaps, Michael gave us a generous donation to Spaniel Aid. Leaving the town it was good to make our way to Par Beach and by this time the weather had cheered up a bit - Fudge as usual made straight for the sea to muck about.
The small village of Polkerris was a lovely spot and with such a picturesque harbour too. From here Gribben Head was in sight and it was a lovely stretch along the path to finally arrive at the impressive structure that serves as a daymark. With the weather holding, the transit into Fowey via Polridmouth was delightful. Reaching Fowey we checked in to The Well House and met up again with the 2 Canadians we had met a few days ago at Kennack Sands and today at Charlestown who were also staying here. A long day and notwithstanding the transit through Par this was a really good section of the path.
Lesley & Barney who had been following our progress via Spaniel Aid
Smiling now but there were some pretty steep up & downs just around the corner
Approaching Pentewan
Try as I might he would not give me a swig of his beer - Fudge had already given up on him
This was an extremely steep up and down near Black Head
Just get your head down and go for it
The Rowse Stone near Black Head
A L Rowse was a Cornish author & historian known for his work on Elizabethan England
A L Rowse was a Cornish author & historian known for his work on Elizabethan England
More steep ups & downs - this time at Silvermine Point
Approaching Porthpean Beach
Charlestown
Respite in The Par Inn at Par - a haven in a somewhat dreary place
With Michael at The Par Inn - he donated some cash to Spaniel Aid bless him
Fudge mucking about on Par Beach
Par Beach - at the end of the beach the path heads inland for a short while but soon heads back to the coast again
Polkerris
Shut
Approaching Gribben Head.......
...... and here is the proof
Approaching the daymark on Gribben Head
Fudge up at the Daymark on Gribben Head
The 84 feet high square beacon tower was erected by Trinity House in 1832 to distinguish the Gribben from Dodman Point &
St Anthony's Head - thus making navigation into Fowey and the harbours of St Austell Bay safer. It was never lit, but is painted in
broad red and white bands as a daymark. It is certainly a striking piece of architecture.
The 84 feet high square beacon tower was erected by Trinity House in 1832 to distinguish the Gribben from Dodman Point &
St Anthony's Head - thus making navigation into Fowey and the harbours of St Austell Bay safer. It was never lit, but is painted in
broad red and white bands as a daymark. It is certainly a striking piece of architecture.
Descending from Gribben Head - Polridmouth is the cove ahead with the village of Polruan to the right
Polridmouth (pronounced "Pridmouth")
Not far now as we approach Fowey
Polruan - see you tomorrow
Little did we know it but we would meet the owner of this lovely shop in Fowey tomorrow
Day 30 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage Time Cumulative Time Total Ascent Cumulative Ascent |
18.9 miles
401.1 miles 9 hrs 15 mins 197 hrs 15 mins 4835 ft 93250 ft |