Marizion

Sunday 10 April was another glorious day.  We drove to Marizion and walked along the footpath/cyclepath at the top of the beach first towards Penzance  and then we turned round and walked to the causeway to St Michel's Mount. This must be the easiest section of South West Coast path, with wonderful views all the time.

Noss Mayo to Blackstone Point

We parked in Noss Mayo village and walked along the River Yealm Estuary joining the South West Coast Path at Ferry Cottage.  This walk used to be very attractive at this time of the year with the wild rhododendrons at the side of the path.  However, there were only a few in flower and the rhododendrons looked rather depleted and sorry for themselves.

Rhododendrons with bluebells in the background

We walked to the end of the estuary and then followed the coast around to Blackstone Point.  The views were stunning looking out to the Mewstone across to Wembury, Cawsand and down the Cornish coast.

Mewstone with Cornwall in the distance

We left the coast Path and walked inland when we reached the Warren car park.  We then followed the path back to Noss Mayo.  Being above the estuary we had a wonderful view of the boats moored in the river.

River Yealm, with Newton Ferrers on the opposite bank

Teignmouth to Dawlish Warren

We took the train to Teignmouth and it was only a stone's throw from the station to the sea front.  The South West Coastal path runs along the sea wall.  It was nearly high tide and the waves were hitting the sea wall at times but we were able to walk along in the dry.  On the other side of the path was the railway line, and at times trains rushed past us.

Looking back to Teignmouth, with train coming along

View in the opposite direction with another train

At the end of Teignmouth beach we had to turn inland and go along roads and a footpath between hedges before coming out above Dawlish and wind our way down to the town.

View over Dawlish

Heading towards Dawlish

Looking back around the coast which we had skirted by going inland

We wandered through Dawlish town and found an excellent bakery, Gays Creamery where we bought pasty's and ate them by the river in a very pleasant park. 

Dawlish is famous for their black swans

From Dawlish we continued to walk along the path above the beach to Dawlish Warren.  We continued on from the South West Path into the nature reserve at the end of Dawlish Warren, but at the visitor centre turned back and made our way back to Dawlish Warren railway station from where we caught the train back to Plymouth.

Bantham to Hope Cove

We parked the car at South Milton Sands and first walked to Bantham.  although it was 3 miles it was relatively easy walking, undulating up and down and only steep as we made our way down to Bantham itself.  The tide was out so the coastline was not as attractive as at high water, but it was nevertheless a pleasant walk.

Burgh Island at low tide

After lunch on Bantham beach we walked back to South Milton Sands and then, after a cup of tea, on to Hope Cove.  It was a very windy day and as we walked past South Milton Sands there were windsurfers and kite surfers in the sea.

Milton Sands and Thurleston Rock

Coleton Fishacre to Scabbacombe Head

Having walked through Coleton Fishacre garden we went through the gate onto the South West Coast Path.  We had intended to walk towards Kingswear, but someone watching wildlife by the viewpoint recommended we went in the opposite direction as it was an easier walk.

The views from the path were lovely.

At one point we came to obstacles on the path, a group of horses that were right in front of the gate we needed to go through.  Fortunately as we slowly approached them  they decided to move away.

When we reached Scabbacombe Head we could see down to Scabbacombe Sands and around the coast to Torbay.  We then walked up to Coleton Camp car park and then along the road to Coleton Fishacre.

Gribben Head

On April 15th we drove to Fowey and parked in a National Trust car park at Church Farm on the outskirts of the town.  We walked down to the beach at Polridmouth and then up the hill to Gribben Head.  The views were wonderful in both directions and worth making the climb to the top.

View up the river to Fowey

View over Carlyon Bay

Gribben Head

Helford

Saturday 9 April started brightly with the sun shining, so we drove down narrow winding lanes to Helford.

We walked along the South West Coast Path from the car park above Helford  following the estuary as far as Ponsence Cove.  There was a perfusion of wild garlic  along the path as well as primroses, violets and other spring flowers.  The primroses even grew on the cliffs! 

There was one field of daffodils that came down to the path.  From the photo you can see there were the occasional daffodil out as well.

From the path we could look across to Helford Passage on the other side of the river and see the boats moored further up the river.

The Lizard

We took advantage of a  deal in the local newspaper and had three days holiday from 12 -15 April  in West Cornwall where we were able to walk parts of the South West Coast Path we cannot easily reach from Plymouth. 

On our way down to Mullion, where we were staying we stopped at Trelissik Gardens and walked around the estuary there.




We then drove on to the Lizard, right to the Point.  The first thing I noticed that whereas at Trelissick bluebells were only out singularly, here they were in flower in clumps.

First  we walked towards the west to Portreath Beach.













We then walked back  and stopped for an ice cream at Lizard Point.  As we ate this we saw 2 choughs fly around and a kestrel hovering and then swooping down to catch something. 


    

We then walked on to Housel Bay.

On route to Housel Bay.

After our evening meal we drove down to Mullion Cove, but we were not over impressed with this harbour.

Berry Head and Brixham

22 March

We did the walk described at http://www.southwestcoastpath.com/main/walks/index.cfm?fsa=dspWalkDetail&w_id=120 but parked at Berry Head instead of Brixham so started the walk half way round.

The walk along the coast from Berry Head car park to St Mary's Bay was nice, but nothing spectacular.  We then turned inland and headed towards Brixham harbour.  The instructions were very clear and as we approached the harbour the views were spectacular as we looked down over the harbour.  You could see that the port is still very much working as a fishing port with the boats coming and going.

We walked around the harbour looking at the various boats and the Golden Hinde.

We then walked up from the harbour past the marina and towards Berry Head.  We could look around Torbay to Torquay and beyond, but it was hazy so I took no photos.  The path wound up through some pretty woods with cyclamen at the side.  At the end of Berry Head the views along the coast was magnificent.

Parking at Berry Head was £1 per hour.  As we walked past Shoalstone beach we noted that the car park there was £1.20 for 24 hours in winter.  Much better value!

Wembury to Bovisand

Saturday 19 March


Having parked at the National Trust car park we walked along the coast path to Heybrook Bay and then on to Bovisand.  The path stayed close to the cliff all the way with views over the Mew Stone, then the Breakwater and Plymouth Sound.

Wembury Beach

Mewstone

Gorse on the side of the path

The Breakwater

Bovisand