Portmellon

Today a walk from Portmellon along the coastal path towards Gorran Haven. The weather wasn't particularly too kind to us.

The first two photos show the sea at Portmellon, which is just along from Mevagissey. 

We parked our car in a side road at Portmellon and walked to the start of the coastal path - up a long hill, of course!

Once on the actual coast path there were some lovely views, though a little muted because of the hazy weather.

The coastal path is quite narrow in places but easy to walk - lots of greenery on display.

The next section of the walk was straight across a field leading to Chapel Point headland - the yellow arrow showed the way.

On Chapel Point there is a wonderful property - a very special house - you can just see the building in the photo below.

Chapel Point House is Grade II Listed and was designed by the renowned Arts and Crafts architect, John Campbell in 1936. The property has been featured in several publications over the years and is reported to have been the subject of a novel by Daphne du Maurier.

Looking out at the cove near Chapel Point.

Now it's a walk downhill, on the coast path, to sea level where there is a boathouse.

The boathouse belongs to the house on Chapel Point.

Continuing on the walk there are green fields inland and a few sheep. 

Below is looking back at the cove and shows the coastal path walked so far.

We now reach Bodrugans Leap and, of course, there is a story to be told! The story varies but the outcome is the same.

Sir Henry Bodrugan was a powerful Cornish land owner and a High Sheriff of Cornwall. Some say he was also a pirate and thief but, whatever, back in 1487, he was being chased by Sir Richard Edgcumbe and associates for claims of treason.

Bodrugan made for the cliffs south of St. Austell. His only escape was to leap off the cliffs, probably with his horse, at Turbot Point.  With or without his horse a boat was waiting for him, which ferried him across the English Channel to safety.

The terrain gradually becomes more rugged.

There is a seat for those who may wish to contemplate the sea.

The path became quite steep.

It was interesting to watch the sea and the waves crashing onto the rocks.

Unfortunately we could feel that the weather was about to take a turn for the worse.

We decided to make our way back to Portmellon, but did stop to watch a seal in the sea. I couldn't get a decent photo but there's a small black dot in the photo below - that's the seal!

The next two photos show how everything was getting less and less clear ...

... the views were gradually disappearing.

We got back to Portmellon, and the sea was crashing onto the road!

Our car was just round the corner from here, so we made a run for it - though I did manage to snap a couple more photos.

Our car was fine and dry, but we did have to drive along the wet stretch of road. We managed to dodge the waves - so all was well, and we'd had an interesting walk.

So, that's all for now. Enjoy the weekend and the week ahead.

All good wishes ~Mike.