Sunday 26 May 2019

Bude Beach, Beach Huts, Swimming Pool and Pies!

Bude, Cornwall: Beach and distance view

A few photos of Bude, Cornwall where it seems that beach huts are very much in vogue.

Beach huts and beach at Bude, Cornwall

It's a sizeable beach when the tide is out. It is then possible to walk a long way beneath the cliffs.

Beach at Bude, Cornwall

The rock with, what looks like an aerial, is Chapel Rock which I have mentioned in a previous post.

Bude, Cornwall

The old cottage below has an prime position overlooking the beach.

Old Cornish cottage by beach at Bude, Cornwall

Bude has it's own Sea Pool, which gets filled twice a day at high tide - admission is free.

Natural sea water swimming pool at Bude, Cornwall

And there are even more Beach Huts!

Beach huts at Bude, Cornwall

And finally looking towards the town of Bude. We didn't venture fully into the shopping centre but did manage to visit the Cornish Pie Company. Just a small shop, but friendly staff and the pies are very tasty - well at least mine was!

Bude, Cornwall, town

Friday 24 May 2019

An Easy Walk at Pentewan, Cornwall Taking In Trees, Sea, Sand, Cliffs and a Private Cove For Lunch

Pentewan, Cornwall

Tuesday was such a lovely sunshine day that we didn't want to miss, so we went for an easy walk to the small cove in the photo above. We started at the Pentewan Trail, Cornwall by the bridge. There is a pull-in nearby for a few cars.

Old bridge, Pentewan Trail, Cornwall

The trail, or path is for walkers and cyclists and it winds it's way alongside a small river and then through the trees.

Pentewan Trail - trees and pathway

The trail ends at the small village of Pentewan. The harbour is now land locked. A hundred years ago it would have been a hive of activity - see photo from 1900 here.

Pentewan Harbour, Cornwall

There is a beach at Pentewan, but it wasn't too busy.

Pentewan Beach, Cornwall

Behind the beach there is the popular Pentewan Sands Holiday Park. This has static caravans, and also lots of room for touring caravans, motor homes and camping. It gets very busy in the main summer season.

Pentewan Sands Holiday Park

We walked through Par Sands to make our way to the coast path. It starts out quite steep as it meanders its way to Mevagissey. Looking back from the path are views of Pentewan and beyond - notice how the road from Pentewan climbs to the top of the hill!

View of Pentewan village and beyond, Cornwall

The coastal path goes up and down ...

Cliffs at Pentewan, Cornwall

... as can be seen from the photo below ...

Hills and green fields from Pentewan to Mavagissey

... and also the next photo.

Fields on way to Mveagissey, Cornwall

We decided not to walk too far along the coastal path and made our way to a small cove.

Small cove between Pentewan and Mevagissey

The cove was perfect as there was no one else in sight! We sat on the rocks and had our lunch - a Cornish pasty for my wife and a vegetable pasty for me, plus a Danish pastry each - and tea, of course. Could life get any better!

Small cove between Pentewan and Mavagissey

We sat and watched the tide gradually going out.

Cove in Cornwall on south coast

We decided to walk back via the sand that was now visible. There were a few rocks to scramble over but then the sand was soft to walk.

gulls near the sea

Cliffs and rocks are always interesting.

Cliffs and rocks at Pentewan, Cornwall

We soon reached Pentewan Beach - much quicker than the ups and downs of the coastal path. From here it was retracing our steps until we reached the bridge (as in the 2nd photo) and our car.

It's days like this that make me realise how lucky I am to live in Cornwall.

Girl on beach when tide out at Pentewan, Cornwall

Wednesday 22 May 2019

Cottages, Green Fields, Coastal Views and Farm Animals at Poughill, Cornwall

Thatchd cottage in Bude, Cornwall

A short while ago I mentioned that, for a change of scenery, we stayed in a cottage for a week at Poughill (pronounced puffil) on Cornwall's north coast. I've done several posts about the area recently and places we visited such as, Tintagel, BoscastleBude and so on. 

Often though, in the evenings, we would wander the lanes around Poughill - so here's a flavour of the area.  The thatched cottages above were in the heart of the village by St.Olaf's church - but the building below wasn't quite as idyllic!

Deserted Cornish Cottage

Still in the main village, a row of cottages ...
A row of cottages at Poughill, Bude, Cornwall
... a house where jams are made and sold ...
Cottage selling jam at Poughill, Cornwall
... and then there is the Post Office and St, Olaf's church ...

Church at Poughill, Bude, Cornwall
... and, of course, a pub / inn -the Preston Gate Inn.

Preston Gate Inn, Poughill, Bude, Cornwall

Once out of the village, and walking along the nearby lanes, there are distant views of the sea and headland. The photos were taken on different days and at different times.

Countryside view to the sea from POughill, Cornwall

Green fields in abundance ...

Green fields of Cornwall

... with a few cottages and houses scattered about.
Lanes and fields in Cornwall
The hedgerows were full of wild flowers.
hedgerows of wild flowers, Cornwall
Ahhh, and then the farm animals.

Sheep in the fields, Cornwall

More sheep with their markings.

Lambs at Bude Cornwall

Some of the animals have glorious views.

Cattle in the fields and a view to the sea

Most were friendly.

Calves in field, Cornwall

And finally the narrow lane leading to the cottage where we stayed - wild garlic everywhere. Was lovely to spend some time on Cornwall's north coast. We live on Cornwall's south coast.

Wild garlic along the lanes in Cornwall

Monday 20 May 2019

Boscastle, Cornwall : Walking to the Old 1584 Harbour Wall - 16 Photos

Entrance to Boscastle harbour, Cornwall

This is Boscastle, Cornwall. The photo above shows the hazardous entrance to the harbour. 100 years ago this was the only place a harbour could be built on this stretch of Cornwall's intimidating north coast. 

It was an active port and harbour, until the railway reached Cornwall in 1893. Today there are just a few fishing boats and pleasure crafts in the harbour.

Boscastle is now very much a tourist destination. There is a large car park and from here it is a walk to the old harbour wall. You can't get lost - you just follow the small river, as shown in the photo below.


River running through Boscastle, Cornwall

Along the valley there are a few cottages and buildings ...

River running through Boscastle, Cornwall

... most constructed from local stone.

Cottages in Boscastle, Cornwall

You'll also find a Witchcraft Museum! It is said to be the oldest and largest collection of items relating to witchcraft and the occult in England.

The witchcraft Museum, Boscastle, Cornwall

The river gradually widens. I snapped the photos when the tide was low.

River at Boscastle, Cornwall

There's somewhere to get a cuppa or lunch in Boscastle. Several of the old buildings now cater for tourists needs.


Cafe at Boscastle, Cornwall

At last we get the first glimpse of the old harbour wall, only a couple of small boats to be seen.

Harbour wall at Boscastle, Cornwall

A close up of the stonework of the harbour wall, said to have been built way back in 1584.

Close up of the old harbour wall, Boscastle, Cornwall

Another view of the entrance to Boscastle harbour.

Inlet to the harbour from the sea at Boscastle, Cornwall

The photo below was taken from the harbour wall looking inland.

Looking inland from the old harbour wall at Boscastle, Cornwall

There's somewhere to tie up your boat.

Old wooden boat ties, Boscastle, Cornwall

On our walk we now had to retrace our steps to a small bridge so we could get to the other side of the valley. The photo shows the main harbour wall from a different angle and also the smaller second wall.

Harbour at Boscastle, Cornwall

There's a footpath on this side of the river so as to get a higher view from the cliff top.

Footpath up side of valley at Boscastle, Cornwall

The photo below is looking inland from the footpath.

Looking back at Boscastle from hillside

After the walk we meandered back to the car, passing The Cobweb Inn ... but then we realised it's possible to also walk along the valley inland, which leads to St. Juliot church.

The church has a significance for any Thomas Hardy followers. He was the architect for the church restoration in 1870 - and it was here that he met his first wife. It is believed that their love affair was his inspiration for his novel A Pair of Blue Eyes

Cobweb Inn, Boscastle, Cornwall

All very pleasant!

Also see: The Coincidence Meeting at Boscastle

FEATURED POST

A Walk to Pentewan Village, Beach and Harbour

It was a sunshine day so we decided on a walk to Pentewan along the Pentewan Trail starting from the bridge as shown above. ...