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Today was a drizzly spray of a day, with poor visibility and a whip of a wind.
Sounds like a good day to do 7 miles of #SouthWestCoastPath
So who's in? Carn Galver ruins to Portheras Cove and back via Morvah.
First up the carn Galver ruins. I arrive in the mist and the whole place has a "Poldark on a moody bad day, scowling at wind" vibe.
There is no one about. In fact I won't see another soul for about 2 hours. Sensing that I'm probably the only person thinking #walking the coast path in this weather sounds delightful, I group text the fam to let them know my location.
Yeah I like solo #hiking but I'm not an idiot.
I leave the looming ruins and head off towards the sea...
I arrive at the Coast path by Portmoina Cove, with more ruins, and a rather lovely cobbled pathway. I do a quick explore of the ruins, which boast some incredibly large mossy baubles.
(Shout out to #mostodon)
Even with the weather the sea is stunning. Cornwall is more often like this than sunny, and honestly it's beautiful in every instance. I almost prefer it like this. Like you're seeing her rawness.
This stretch is not as undulating as other sections, where it can feel like you're constantly climbing mountains, but it is very scrambly. Not exactly easy going, and in places the path disappears momentarily. Which considering the amount of "DANGER, MINE SHAFTS" signs, is a wee bit disconcerting.
The #lichenSubscribe action is off the charts though. Got me enough content for weeks...
Bonus fungi too!
Honestly the rocks are just teaming with life. Chefs kiss to the lichen gods.
A few things that sparked my interest.
Cute stile with minute habitat
Black rock with large quartz deposit that looked like a skull as you approached. I didn't see any other rocks like this on the route.
Ferny mossy action. always a win
I get to the section above Wolf Rocks. Here the path is often more pond than path. Large sections require jumping over clear pools and brooks.
There are also loads of frogs. Fyi the photos include frog orgy... sorry.
Also lots of frog remains. Probably the rooks.... but I'm not ruling out witches
The next section is flat and bleak..the sea is out of view and the wind has picked up. There's also signs that cattle have recently been in this area. I often get nervous of cattle, despite being from a very rural background. Perhaps there were one too many stories of local farmers getting trampled by accident...
Anyway still some delights! Violets, red campion and what looks like Hemlock water dropwart. And some very large bird tracks! Any ID suggestions? Just a gull?
And then the sandy bay of Portheras Cove appears! A gem of a sight! You know that feeling you get on a #walk where you spot something beautiful and it's like a gift?
The path winds down past waterfalls.
The sea crashing through the gap in the combe is the colour of glass.
I spend a while on the beach playing chase with the waves and soaking in the spray. I realise I haven't really stopped so I have my snack, disappointed that the sweets I thought I'd packed only had 2 left.
Still. That sea! It has a slight temper that threatens "don't get too close" despite looking like a painting.
I'm getting a bit tired now, but I've chosen to take a route that takes me out onto the lanes, so it should be easier going. Obviously the dry stone walls are AMAZING for their #lichen action and the old farm buildings make me think about how the area has been tirelessly worked since pre history. The landscape littered with remains of every era. We seem to have always been in love with this coastline.
As I get to Morvah I see a sign that says "Cafe". Don't mind if I do! I stop and have an Earl Grey and a lemon drizzle that more than makes up for the sweets situation. I chat with the owner who says I'm her only customer that day.
Re-fueled I do the last hour of lanes. The visibility is worse and I'm glad that I am wearing waterproof everything! And finally the mine of Carn Galver rises out of the drizzle!
And that's my #walk! Hope you enjoyed it. Despite the frog porn.
#hiking #walking
Thank you for taking me back to Cornwall. One thing I truly miss about living in the UK.
Bon dimanche !
@FloydyStu welcome!