Search Results

ActivityActivity dateActivity description
Maker and Cawsand 2019-09-09 Wet start to day - headed off to try & find camp-site @ Bovisand for a different view of the Plymouth Break water, got hoplessly lost so detoured to Maker. Camping back in our favourite field. Walk into Kingsand & Cawsand. Scooby nearly lost his ball but was very brave & eventually retrieved it. Pint in the old Cawsand Bay Hotel area - now called "The Bar." Watched Rame Gig go out & some unusual fishing boats moored in the bay.
Bolberry Down and Soar Mill Sove 2019-09-07 First day of hols! Whiteley's off to new camp-site near Salcombe - remember for family happiness mobile signal not great for route finding! New camp-site with very friendly owners.Walked to Saw Mill Cove lots of dog swimming & ball throwing. Views of Rame Head (Liz's favourite headland!), Burgh Island & the Eddystone. Expensive pints at newly furbished bar on way back.
Godrevy and Trehidy 2019-09-16 Walk along the coast path to Hell's Mouth Cafe. Seafood chowder was excellent again (and the cheesy chips weren't really necessary). Then inland via Trehidy Park (which Liz liked) and then back along a now very misty coast path.
Lamorna Cove to Mousehole 2019-09-15 Along from Lamorna Cover on the coast path to the tourist trap that is Mousehole. Extortionate wraps in a cafe. Home across the fields and the ice cream at the cafe in Lamorna.
Lands End, Sennen and Gwynver Beach 2019-09-14 Had another free day's parking on the extornionate £6 Lands End parking fee. Walked to Sennen and saw lots of yachts doing the "inshore passage" round Lands' End. On to Gwynver beach (because Scooby asked). Ice creams at Sennen and then back to Treen and G&Ts on the cliff top as the sun went down (and the nudists disappeared).
Lands End, Gwenapp and Porthgwarra 2019-09-13 Paid an outrageous £6 for parking at Land's End and then promptly headed off to Gwenapp Head. Watched yacht doing the "inshore passage" round Land's End and then had lunch at Porthgwarra Cafe. Back via an inland route and cabbage fields.
Treen and Penberth Cove 2019-09-12 Walked to Penberth Cove - a Poldark favourite. Past Logan Rock and up through the woods to The Logan Rock pub for a pint. Chicken in residence at the pub.
Portscatho and the Hidden Hut 2019-09-11 20th Wedding Anniversary! Decided to go to The Roseland - Treloan campsite at Portscatho. Walked in the drizzle to beach, Scooby ball chasing & swimming. Lunch at The Hut - tomato soup. Evening spent in the Plume of Feathers pub for anniversary tea - mackerel burgers (delicious) - also very well -behaved Scooby! Walk back along coast path in the dark!
Fowey and Bodinnick 2019-09-10 Headed off to Fowey. First camp-site full up so deviated to Boddinick. Camp-site bit like Sea Houses but very welcoming owners. Walk down hill to ferry, through Fowey heaving with tourists. Walked to Gibben Head. Refreshments of ice cream (DIY effort by hirer of the cottage (Dapher's connection) near the lake.) Watched a very tippy yacht (Macgregor with BIG engine on back). Pints in the Ferry Inn - great view of Fowey in the evening sunshine.
Salcombe, Soar and Bolberry 2019-09-08 Walk across fields to Salcombe via aerodrome (with plane landing) Overbecks, steep hills, South sands, North Sands (where Scooby was allowed to swim & do ball chasing). Lunch in Salcombe with rip off fish & chips (definitely paid for the view). Ferry ride back to South Sands (1st ferry trip of many) & ice cream. Long walk back to van -frieindly natives helping with getting past field of cows - mum, calves & some with horns...described as docile. Everyone quite tired!
Fish and chips in Morthoe 2019-09-21 Walk to Morthoe and the rather nice (and huge) fish and chips. Some other bastard had our seats at the cemetery overlooking Woolacombe Bay.
Woolacombe Beach 2019-09-22 Dog on Woolacombe Beach. Dog happy.
Camel Trail 2019-09-20 Walked from Wadebridge to Padstow and back. Lots of cyclists! Padstow hugely crowded as usual but fine for a pastie and ice cream. Long walk for us - 12.5 miles.
Constantine Bay 2019-09-19 James Corden was teaching his dog to do "back flips" on the beach (see photos). Walked to Porthcothan and then on to Constantine Bay for ice creams and a bit of Scooby ball chasing. Doubled the length of the walk just to get some wine from the local shops!
Perranporth 2019-09-18 Dog on beach at Perranporth. Dog happy. Dog swallowed so much sea water he puked in the camper van that night. Which was nice.
St Agnes and Trevaunce 2019-09-17 From Beacone Cottage Fram along the coast path to chat to a very friendly chappie in the St Agnes Head NCI lookot. Then on lunch in a cafe overlooking the beach at Trevaunce and then, of course, some Scooby "ball action" on the beach. Back via Sta Agnes and The Beacon.
Weymouth to Poole 2019-05-16

A sail from Weymouth round to Poole Harbour.

With the winds continuing to be easterly, this was a combination of sailing and motoring. The two main challenges on this stretch of water are the military gunnery range at Lulworth and overfalls / race at St Albans Ledge. The army claimed to be firing on this day so we went as far as Durdle Door and then went offshore to avoiding the firing range.

At the end of the range (at St Albans Head) we took the unconventional choice of sailing alongside St Albans Ledge in the overfalls (and right past naval gunnery buoys "B" and "C" but happily there was no navy about this day)! This made for quite a bouncy journey.

Anvil Point and Perveril Point were fine and then we sailed past Old Harry Rocks and into Poole Harbour and the most expensive (read "overpriced" given the state of the washrooms) marina of the trip.

Studland to Portland Harbour 2019-05-24

From Studland past St Albans Head to Portland Harbour with a stop at Lulworth Cove.

We weighed anchor early at the Studland anchorage to be able to get past the Lulworth Gunnery Range before the army started firing at 09:30. This meant an inshore passage past the St Albans Head. While not in the same league as Portland Bill, St Aldhams Ledge does have a bit of a "reputation" and the inshore passage doesn't always exist (see here and here for a couple of fun Youtube videos of yachts rounding St Albans Head). In our case we were crossing about mid tide with maybe a F4 against the tide so we could have expected some lumpiness. In fact, it was a pussycat - no idea why! Then on to the circular inlet in the cliffs that is Lulworth Cove. When we dropped anchor there we were the only yacht there - the benefits of early season cruising! Then on to Portland Marina. Built for the 2012 Olympics the place is huge.

Beaulieu River to Lymington 2019-05-22

A short sail round from Bucklers Hard on the Beaulieu River to the Town Quay at Lymington.

We left the peace and tranquility of the Beaulieu River and after a short sail reached the yachting mega-centre that is Lymington. Because we were so early in the sailing season we were able to tie up at Lymington Town Quay without rafting. Derek's brother and family were keen to try some sailing on his yacht so he took them out for a sail towards Yarmouth. Then a very pleasant dinner at Stanwell House Hotel.

Newtown Creek to Wooton Creek 2019-05-20

From Newtown Creek passing Cowes and on to Wooton Creek.

Another sail and motor, leaving Newtown Creek and sailing round the top of the Isle of Wight and passing Cowes. Then on to Wooton Creek and a gentle motor up to the top of the navigable part of Wooton Creek. We then moored up alongside a pontoon at the very friendly Royal Victoria Yacht Club.

Much of Wooton Creek dries at low water and in this case the pontoon we were moored to had a shallower "draft" then the yacht so it was quite a climb back on to the yacht at low water.

Keyhaven to Yarmouth 2019-05-18

A sail up through Keyhaven marshes and then across to Yarmouth on the Isle Of Wight.

We weighed anchor and then followed the channel through Keyhaven marshes to the end of the navigable water at Keyhaven itself. Then it was a short leisurely sail across to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.

Shortly after mooring up at the surprisingly unbusy Yarmouth Marina, everything changed as dozens of yachts from the Junior Offshore Group arrived (and ended up rafting up 4 deep).

Best food of the entire trip was at the Cucinaio restaurant - a sort of bouillabaisse like fish stew).

Portland to SYC on the Exe 2019-05-25

From Portland Harbour, round Portland Bill to Starcross Yacht Club on the Exe.

As ever, a rounding of Portland Bill by the inshore passage required careful planning. In our case, this meant that to get safe and helpful tides we had to be off the end of Portland Bill at 16:30 - a late start given the long sail to the Exe after the Bill.

As we left the excellent Portland Harbour there were fleets of Oppies and Toppers training. We then closed the Bill near Grove Point and the tide helped us speed down the 5 metre contour line to round the Bill. Again, we had the obelisk at the end of the Bill lined up with the red band on the lighthouse (meaning we'd be far enough off the rocks but - usually - not too far off to be in the race).

The biggest challenge - once again - was to avoid the swarms of tiny appallingly marked lobster pot buoys that appeared to be laid out like some minefield grid!

After passing Pulpit Rock on the west side, we started heading off towards the Exe. With the late start, this meant that we'd be going up the Exe in the dark. However, it also meant that we decided to sail in the light winds after it got too dark to see the lobster pots also scattered in Lyme Bay.

The trip up the Exe was OKish. The lights in the fairway are better than when I last did it in the dark - maybe three years ago - but there are still two unlit buoys (numbers 14 and 21 IIRC) in the Exe itself. Additionally there are a few large metal mooring buoys that encroach too far into the marked channel meaning a risk of a serious "ding" to a boat's gel coat without local knowledge and/or someone with a decent light on the front of the boat to spot them. Back on the mooring at SYC at 01:30.

Lymington to Studland 2019-05-23

A sail from Lymington out of the Solent past Hurst Castle, past Christchurch Harbour and on to an anchorage at Studland.

After leaving Lymington we sailed past Hurst Castle to leave the Solent and enter Christchurch Bay. We sailed past Christchucrh Harbour - where I learnt to sail 40 years ago - and on past Hengistbury Head.

As we sailed over Christchurch Ledge we encountered a small patch of overfalls. These were no problem in a 32 foot Westerley Fulmar but the experience was somewhat different when I encountered overfalls for the first time at this spot about 40 years ago in my parents' Wayfarer!

We then sailed on past Boscombe and Bornemouth (taking photos of what has now replaced my parents' hotel on the cliff above Boscombe Pier) and then we set a course for an anchorage at Studland.

As we were nearing Studland we encountered three black RIBs with dark clad men on board. Shortly after, a large military helicopter joined us overhead and started transferring men from the speeding RIBs to the helicopter. Although Poole is a major Royal Marine base, I would guess these might have been from the Special Boat Service.

Wooton Creek to Beaulieu River 2019-05-21

From Wooton Creek, past Cowes and Fawley and into the Beaulieu River.

We left Wooton Creek and sailed across the Solent to the Beaulieu River. We motored up the river past Bucklers Hard and towards the top of the navigable river. We then moored up at Buckers Hard marina (which we feared would be frighteningly expensive but was actually quite reasonable when compared with the Poole marina and given the excellent facilities).

Lunch and dinner at the Master Builders and a visit to the rather good Bucklers Hard museum.

Yarmouth to Newtown Creek 2019-05-19

From Yarmouth marina round to an anchorage in Newtown Creek.

We left Yarmouth Marina just after the Junior Offshore Group fleets left. We sailed for a bit in very light winds. The light winds gave us a chance to try out Derek's symmetric spinnaker for the first time. It flew! Albeit that the light winds meant that it didn't completely "fill". Then on to the splendid Newtown Creek for an overnight anchorage.

With a reputation for being very busy at the height of the summer, there we only three other boats in the anchorage we chose. Lots of fading memories triggered as I was last at Newtown Creek maybe 40 years ago when myself and three school friends sailed my parents' Wayfarer over from Christchurch Harbour - it's surprising looking back at it that our parents were so laid back about a bunch of 15-16 year olds doing this!

Poole to Keyhaven 2019-05-17

From Poole Harbour into the Solent to anchor up at Keyhaven.

With the easterly winds continuing, this sail and motor took us out of Poole Harbour (past Brownsea Island and the Sandbands/Studland chain ferry). We then past Bournemouth, Boscombe (where the cliff top hotel I grew up in has been knocked down) and Christchurch Ledge. We took the northern channel into the Solent going past Henry VIII's Hurst Castle and The Trap.

We anchored off Keyhaven to wait for enough tide to allow us to get into the Keyhaven anchorage (which is just north of Hurst Castle). A stunning location, we were the only boat anchored there!

Exe to Weymouth 2019-05-15

A sail from Starcross Yacht Club on the Exe via the inshore passage at Portland Bill and on to Weymouth.

Because Portland Bill sticks out into the English Channel and has a shallow underwater ledge that "squeezes" the currents, it has a somewhat fearsome reputation (see here for a Youtube video of when it was "angry" at the end of a storm). Therefore, we needed to be off the end of the Bill at the right time for mostly slack water and a "lift" up the eastern edge. That meant setting off at the hideously early time of 04:30 to allow some contingency for being off the end of the Bill at 14:00. Given that we had to sail and motor (against the easterly wind) over 35 nautical miles, we were pleased to be off the Bill at about 14:15.

Going round the Bill was happily uneventful but the large number of appallingly marked lobster pot buoys still means that great care is needed. The photos show us rounding the end of the Bill with the front obelisk aligned in the nearly in the middle of the red band of the lighthouse (as recommended). On the eastern side of the Bill, the 5 metre depth contour is typically a good guide to avoiding the race / overfalls.

Morthoe and north Devon coast 2012-09-04 A stomp around the North Devon coast on the only misty day of our stay at North Morte campsite
Gorran Haven 2023-09-07 Was meant to be a walk around Dodman Point but we got up too late and it was just too hot for an elderly, black doggie! So down to the rather lovely Gorran Haven and then back via Vault Beach.
Rock, Padstow and Stepper Point 2018-09-13 Staying at the rather nice (but rather expensive) campsite directly overlooking Polzeath beach, we drove down to Rock and caught the ferry over to Padstow. Padstow was heaving with tourists as expected (even on a Thursday in the middle of September). We then walked on past the famous Doom Bar and on to Stepper Point (on the west side of the entrance to the Camel Estuary). Then back along the sands of the Doom bar at low water to give Scooby hound a run.
Morte Point 2023-09-16 With Scooby now a bit of an old boy, we did a shorter than usual walk round Morte Point. Age is no barrier to him lunging for sheep (he's on the lead) and eating sheep shit.
Perranporth 2018-09-12 No trip to the south west would be complete for Scooby hound without a trip to Perranporth and Woolcombe beaches. So we "did" Perranporth on the Wednesday...
St Agnes and Wheal Coates 2018-09-11 On to Beacon Farm Cottage camp site and the only day of the two weeks that was really lost to the weather. As soon as we got to the campsite and sat down to admire the view, the fog and mizzle came in with a vengeance. So we only did a short walk to the Wheal Cotes mine - very atmospheric perched on the cliff side and appearing out the gloom. The photos of fog and mist may not be the most exciting if you weren't there...
Mylor and Flushing 2024-09-12 An old favourite. From Tregunwith Farm to Mylor Bridge, on to Mylor Harbour and then along the estuary to Flushing. Some sun, some rain and an icecream.
Perranporth 2023-09-13 We couldn't do a Cornwall trip without giving Scooby Hound an outing to Perranporth beach at low tide. Much shorter walk that usual as it was very hot and Scooby Hound is an old boy.
Mylor Bridge to the Pandora 2014-09-06 Lovely dinner at the Pandora Inn - first of the holiday. The 1 in 4 hill on the way back was a bit of an ask when full of Cornish Ratler and Gurnard (or Guiness and Mackerel in Lizzie's case)
Mylor to Flushing 2014-09-07 Mylor Harbour round to Flushing and then back up Mylor Creek. Top paddle! Very slight swell from SE winds when going along the shore before turning into the the Falmouth shelter.
The Helford and Frenchman's Creek 2014-09-08 From Helford Passage via Frenchman's Creek up into Mawgan Creek towards the top of the Helford Estuary. A little windy on the way back meant plenty of exercise!
Mylor Harbour to Trelissick 2014-09-09 From Mylor Harbour to Trelissick and back via Looe Beach. Tried teaching Scooby to swim at Looe Beach but he was too much of a wuss - even for strawberry ice cream.
Scooby at Perranporth 2014-09-10 After putting up with three days of canoeing, Scooby gets some recompense with a walk along Perranporth beach. We walked 5 miles - he probably ran 15 miles.
Cawsand to Plymouth 2023-09-05 Too windy to go kayaking so we took the ferry from Cawsand to Plymouth - the first time in all the years we've been coming to Cawsand / Kingsand. A very "rolly" boat for the F5 winds (but given that it "lands" on the beach at Cawsand I guess it doesn't have much draught.
Pendower Beach 2022-09-05 A walk from Portscatho round to Pendower Beach. In his eagerness to eat a Shetland pony, the bloody dog pulled me backwards arse over tit down into gorse scrub leaving me stung, bleeding, pissed off and with a twisted back. Landed on my head and rucksack (as the photos show). At this point, we are still not talking! Walk back was in heavy rain, thunder and lightening.
Hamoaze paddling 2021-09-12 From Millbrook up the Tamar to the entrance to the Lyhner River. Top paddling with lots of war like stuff in the Plymouth Dockyards juxtaposed with beautiful countryside on the other side. Next time, we'll take the car and launch from Wacker Quay on the Lyhner.
Sunday morning breakfast at Mylor 2014-09-14 A walk along Mylor Creek to Mylor Harbour for breakfast. Sat on the beach and watched some boats getting surprised by how windy it was.
Trebah Gardens 2014-09-15 Liz did plants. Scooby and I did reading and digging holes on the beach (maybe not in that order).
Looe beach to Malpas 2014-09-16 A canoe trip from Loe beack up pass Trellisick and King Harry Ferry on to just past Malpas (on the way to Truro). It was a bit windy - force 5 ish - so we didn't go all the way to Truro although we'd got up very early on a holiday day to catch the tide.
Mawgan Porth and Watergate Bay 2014-09-17 Actually the GPS track is just of Mawgan Porth but most of Scooby's walk was at Watergate Bay which is one bay to the west of here and quite a bit bigger. Good crab soup at the Beach Hut at Watergate Bay.
Flushing and Mylor 2014-09-18 A round trip from Mylor Bridge to Flushing and then back via Mylor Harbour. Very nice lunch at the cafe at Mylor harbour.
Messack Point 2022-09-04 For a change, we went north from St Just In Roseland round to Messack Point for lunch. Very nice walk slightly spoiled by Scooby Hound trying to eat sheep shit and to play with electric cattle fences.
Ram head walk - again! 2021-09-11 Lizzie's favourite walk again. This time from the campsite on Maker Heights - just to give it a bit more up and downyness. Hot - so quite hard work for an eight mile walk.
Breakfast at Mylor 2015-09-13 Walk with wife and hound to Mylor for some breakfast. Then along to watch the kids from Restronguet Sailing Club playing "how many times can you capsize a Mirror" in the F5ish winds
The Lizard and Kynance Cove 2015-09-14 Thought it it be nice to see the most southerly point in Engalnd in a force eight gale. Walking along a cliff top into a 40 knot wind with a less than bright hound on the lead turned out to be hard work! Glad it was a short walk.
Perranporth 2015-09-15 Scooby's second favourite beach in the whole world. We walked 5 miles - he probably ran somewhere between 15 and 20 miles. Scooby now crashed out asleep!
Flushing and Mylor 2015-09-16 A circular route to Flushing and back via Mylor Harbour
Hayle Towans and The Bucket Of Blood 2015-09-17 Scooby's beach holiday continues! In theory there are five separate beaches from Hayle (there are certainly five separate lifguard stations) but at low tide they all blend into one seemingly endless beach. Scooby chased the ball from one end to the other. The Bucket Of Blood is the name of a pub in Phillack, Hayle - we didn't stop there but the name makes a good title for the walk.
Penlee Point 2023-09-04 Very hot day so too hot to take Scooby on our usual Rame Head walk. So we stopped at Penlee Point and watched a helicopter taking off with supplies for the Eddystone Light House.
Mylor Harbour 2022-09-06 A dog walk from Tregunwith Farm to Mylor Harbour. Managed to avoid the heaviest rain while having coffee at Mylor.
Bolberry and Hope Cove 2021-09-10 A walk down from Bolberry Farm Camping to Hope Cove for a pint. Fxxx me - £10 for two pints! Are we in London? Wow. Nice walk and campsite though.
Malpas and St Clement 2015-09-21 A shortish walk round Malpas and St Clement. Found a good canoe launching slipway just south of Truro at Sunny Corner Quay. Seafood platter for lunch at The Heron in Malpas was good.
Helston, The Loe and Porthleven 2015-09-22 From Helston to Porthleven via The Loe (the largest freshwater lake in Cornwall held in by Loe Bar) and the Penrose Estate. Porthleven nice but Liz noticed that 4 out of every 5 houses is a holiday let. Liz enraptured with the Salty Caramel ice cream. Porthleven is, apparently, the most southerly port in the UK.
Dinner at The Pandora 2015-09-22 Lovely fish pie dinner at the "Pan". After a nine mile walk earlier in the day, the drag back up the hill from The Pandora after dinner was just what Lizzie wanted!
Sunny Corner Quay and the Tresillian River 2015-09-23 From the small Sunny Corner Quay on the edge of Truro round to the Tresillian River on the Fal Estuary. Not too far today as there was a keen wind to be paddled against on the way back down the Tresillian.
Portloe and the Roseland Heritage Coast 2015-09-24 A rather long and rather hard walk (for us) as the last walk of our summer hols. From Carne Beach on the south side of the Roseland peninsula, along the coast to Portloe and back via Veryan and Treworlas beach. Longer than the guide book said and some steep hills! Not too scary on the cliff tops. 320 meters of vertical elevation apparently - no wonder we were knackered at the end!
Bigbury 2023-09-01 Staying at the very nice Folly Farm camp site. A walk down to Bigbury beach to susss out tomorrow's kayaking opportunities.
Woolacombe 2023-09-17 Scooby Hound's favourite place in the whole, wide world. Even beats Perranporth. Football action limited as he doesn't have any sort of idea about taking things easy when on his favourite beaches.
Aidan's fall on Hadrian's Wall 2016-09-04 A march along some of the best bits of Hadrians Wall. Sheltered behind the wall from a sudden rain/hail shower and felt very "Roman Centurion" like. Didn't feel quite so Centurion like when I slipped coming down one steep part of the wall and bounced badly on my side buggering up my back for much of the holiday! Stunning walk though. Then on to Vindolanda.
Seahouses to Bamburgh 2016-09-05 First walk along the Northumbrian coast. From just north of Seahouses along to just south of Bamburgh. The Northumberland beaches are just as stunning as expected. Scooby very impressed if this was to be the quality of the beaches for the next two weeks.
Lindisfarne - Holy Island 2016-09-06 A walk around the island of Lindisfarne. The journey there was as expected with the road being a causeway accessible at low tide. Once there though, any thoughts of peaceful contemplation etc were blown away by the huge crowds. Skipping swiftly on past the priory and the castle (not least because we'd forgotten our NT cards), we yomped on to the north of the island which was much more pleasing. Scooby's second Northumberland beach well up to scratch apparently.
Dunstanburgh Castle and Craster 2016-09-07 Another day, another Northumberland beach for Scooby. A great walk along to the evocative ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle and then the excellent beaches at Embleton Bay. Back via Craster where the famous smoked fish shop / restaurant was advertising an interesting take on Cullen Skink soup. Unfortunately, they were shut at the time...
Dunbar and Belhaven 2016-09-08 Up to Scotland and to Dunbar. Found a good campsite and Belhaven Bay just to the west of Dunbar. The campsite backed on to Belhaven Bay - another excellent beach walk (not shown on the GPS track) for Scooby - his first Scottish one! Watched a group of Scots getting married on the "Bridge to Nowhere" at Belhaven Bay. Then an evening cliff top walk into Belhaven, past the harbour and then on to The Volunteer for a smoked haddock and mashed potato dinner.
Padstow 2023-09-13 A short walk from Dennis Cove Campsite into Padstow.
Hartland Quay 2021-09-23 An unexpectedly short walk at Hartland Quay.We met some people coming the other way who said they and their dog had been chased by cows in the next field. Scooby Hound tries to eat cows... So we turned round and had humongous ice creams at Hartland Quay (a "double scoop" actually had four scoop's worth of ice cream).
Walkworth to Amble 2016-09-10 As Scooby had seen the signs to the beach when we were in Walkworth the previous day, we had to come back to try the beach out. Unfortunately, as we were heading on later in the day, it meant that we had to be on the beach before low tide. To be fair, Scooby didn't complain too much but the "tennis ball bounciness" was below par compared to the rest of the holiday. Walked as far as Amble looking for a breakfast egg & chips but reluctant to swim across the harbour just for a second breakfast.
Alnwick 2016-09-10 A short walk around Alnwick, Again, we were too tight to pay the entrance fee for the castle. Mainly we wanted to see "Barter Books" - the second hand book shop in the old train station. An excellent, excellent shop. Long may they flourish after Starbucks, Next and all the others have fallen out of fashion and had a quick bankcruptcy. One can but hope - I could have spent hours in the place!
Demense Farm In Bellingham 2016-09-10 Heading west, we were back just below Hardrians Wall at Demense Farm campsite in Bellingham. A campsite on another working farm, Lizzie may object to me mentioning that she complained about the cow mooing overnight.
Kielder Observatory 2016-09-11 Into Kielder Forest and up from Kielder village to Kielder Observatory. Stunning view - but not of the observatory which unsurprisingly looked at little like a wooden box from the outside during the day time,
Port Quin to Port Issac 2024-09-19 So the walking guide said there would be sections of the walk from Port Quin to Port Issac that would be unfenced vertical drops. I was hoping that they'd be towards the end where it would be too much effort to turn around. But they were right from the start. I like my coast paths to have a wall or a field or preferably both between me and instant death. Not about one foot and then oblivion. So we turned round and tried an alternate root. But that didn't work out either so we retraced our steps and took the inland root. Port Issac nice enough in an "overrun by tourists with a Doc Martin fetish" sort of way. No complaints about the pasty or ice cream though.
Tintagel and Bossiney 2022-09-14 First time we've seen what English "Heritage" have done to Tintagel with their new bridge. To be fair, its a nice bridge - if it wasn't buggering up the view at Tintagel. The round a couple of headlands until Scooby Hound claimed to have a poorly paw. So we too a short cut long the roads back to Tintagel.
Bude 2021-09-22 Up the Bude Canal. Some locks and a "portage". After the 3rd lock the water got a bit gloopy and a bit low so we stopped at that point. Spent the paddle back debating whether the £5 fee was a rip off or we were glad to "contribute" to the ongoing maintenance of the canal. Got to the sea - and Scooby thought about jumping out and going for a stroll on the beach. Also some photos from Bude beach the previous day.
Blackthorn Farm 2016-09-14 On to Blackthorn Farm campsite. A nice spot just outside Holyhead,
Kennexstone Camping 2016-09-15 Down from Anglesey to the Gower Peninsula in south Wales. Kennexstone Camping was a lovely spot on the south west side of the Gower. The camp site and the Gower were so nice we slowed down a bit a stayed for three days,
Rhossilli and Llangennith beach 2016-09-16 In a holiday of stunning beaches, this was probably the best. Or was that Llanddwyn Bay? I don't know but this was a sure fire entry into Scooby's all time top five set of beaches. Or probably even higher.
Three Cliffs Bay 2016-09-17 The last of the beaches on Scooby's "Tour Of Britain's Best Beaches". After 1650 miles and 16 days and ten beaches, our final beach was was at Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower. Not quite all to ourselves and there were several thousand people doing a 14 mile walk for Macmillan Nursing.
Porthleven to Rinsey Head 2024-09-15 A fairly strenuous walk from Porthleven to Rinsey Head and back inland. The coast path from Porthleven to Rinsey Head had lots of up and downy bits. We fancied making it a circular walk rather than an "out and back" one so we used the Ordnance Survey 1:25000 maps to find footpaths inland for the way back. Some not well marked, some through fields with cows and some that looked a little too much like adder territory. Still - a good walk and some exercise!
Soggy Padstow 2022-09-13 Back to Padstow on the Rock ferry. Another very soggy day but we felt we ought to make the effort to get out and about a little bit. Scooby Hound grateful for beach run-arounds on Rock Beach and Lower Beach at Padstow. He didn't like the town much (getting trod on twice). On reflection, we missed a trick not going out for a paddle around low tide on the Camel. There's enough at the lower end of the estuary to make it an interesting paddle at low tide.
Camel Trail 2021-09-20 The walking guide book we were using was sxxx! At least we thought it was. Wasn't so bad when we finally realised it was directing us _south_ along the Camel Trail (and not north towards Padstow as we'd assumed). Doh! A reasonable walk. Green lanes and then back along the Camel Trail. No great vistas and views. Maybe a 6 out of 10.
Sennen, Gwynver and Nanquidno 2017-09-16 Another "lets look at the map and start walking" walk. Back via Gwynver Beach - one of Scooby's top 10 beaches in the world. Unfortunately, it was nearly high tide so not much beack for Scooby this time.
Gwithian Towans 2017-09-17 From Gwithian FRam Campsite, a short walk along Gwithian Towans Beach. As the tide was coming in, we came back along the cliff top. Another top beach according to Scooby.
Godrevy and Hells Mouth 2017-09-18 From Gwithian Farm campsite, past Godrevy Beach and on past Godrevy Lighthouse. Then on past an inaccessible cove where about 15-20 seals were resting, Then on to the rather splendidly named Hells Mouth where the lonely Hells Mouth Cafe did a great cappuccino.
Perranporth Beach 2017-09-19 We couldn't come to Cornwall and not give Scooby an outing on Perranporth Beach - probably his favouritist in the world! So up fairly early to catch the low tide. Scooby a happy but tired hound.
The Lizard 2024-09-14 A lovely walk round the end of the Lizard peninsula. We'd done a similar walk before on a dreek day and been disappointed. Today in the sun and breeze it was a completely different walk. A highlight was visiting the rather stunning RNLI station on the east side if the Lizard at Church Cove. Roskilly's ice cream at Lizard Point and then a rather good pasty back at the village. Then on to the campsite at Porthleven.
Polzeath, Pentire Point and The Rumps 2022-09-12 After much swearing at Polzeath at the start of the walk for a failure to provide dog bins or to mark the coastpath (given they don't allow dogs on beaches), it turned into a lovely walk. Out to Pentire Point and then along to The Rumps (and ancient Brits cost fort). Quite scary - but not super scary - along the cliff top at time. Scooby Hound sad he wasn't allowed on any beach. Then on to Penmayne Farm in Rock.
Pityme pub walk 2021-09-19 To the village of Pityme for a pint. Scooby demanded a bit more of a walk of his "restrictions" on Perranporth. The OS 1:25000 maps on the GPS found a "shortcut" through some fields of corn - came out right by Sharps Brewery (of Doom Bar beer fame - not that either of us drink beer).
Polkerris Beach 2018-09-02 Stayed at Penhale camp site near Fowey. A short walk to Polkerris Beach where we knew that dogs were banned but didn't know that the ice cream shop would shut up shop at half four - outrageous!
Fowey to Megavissey 2018-09-03 A walk down into Fowey and then a ferry from Fowey to Megavissey. On the trip into Fowey the ferry had spotted a large whale and porpoises but no such luck on our trip. From Megavissey, we walked round to Portmellon. The 26 miles wasn't all dog walking - it includes the return ferry distance!
St Anthonys Head 2018-09-04 On to Trewince camp site and one of Liz's favourite walks - around St Anthonys Head. Stunning views - some of the early photos could be of the Mediterranean. After going past the light house at the end of St Anthony's Head the walk is then along the eas
Rosemullion Head 2018-09-05 A new take on another of Liz's favourite walks - to Rosemullion Head (between the Fal and the Helford). Scooby allowed us to just sit a read for a hour or so while watching the strange floaty things out to sea). Then back via Mawnan Smith with the walk extended a bit as Scooby couldn't be trusted to cross a field full of cows - even on a lead!
Helford to Gweek paddle 2024-09-13 Launched the Sea Eagle inflatable kayak at Helford and paddled up past the Seal Sanctuary to Gweek Boatyard. Which was a surprise as I didn't think, at the start, that either of us fancied paddling that much. Lunch at Tremayne Quay as usual.
Perranporth 2022-09-11 Well - we couldn't go to north Cornwall without taking Scooby Hound to Perranporth (his 2nd all time favourite beach after Woolacombe). Although he doesn't know it, he's getting on a bit now so for the first time ever we rationed him to only half the length of Perranporth beach. Still a happy hound. Some strange sort of "surf kayak" event going on.
Helford and St Anthonys 2022-09-07 Mostly a "re-do" of a previous walk with some slight changes after reaching Manaccan. Heavy rain for about 20 minutes. Annoyingly, I ripped my bike jacket on some thorns. Bloody annoyed - a very good jacket that I'd had for over 20 years. Now held together with even more gaffa tape.
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