It was a pretty fierce climb out of St. Ives, in less than desirable weather. Low misty cloud with a bit of drizzle.
The roads took us along classic Cornish scenery of small farms with ancient stone walls overgrown with weeds. We could have stopped for a coffee in the small village of Zennor, but was a bit early.
We carried on through several small villages with more tin mining ruins. The village of Saint Just looked rather lovely with its signage in the middle of the town but we decided to roll with the weather and continue to Land’s End.
En route to Land’s End is Sennen Cove, known for seeing Dolphins – not today – also popular for surfing and is known as one of Englands most beautiful beaches.
Unfortunately Land’s End was cold and misty. A quick picnic lunch and look around saw us on our way. But now we’ve been, so all good. We visited the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent in 2012- closest point of UK to France, and now this side. A bit of fun to do.
The ‘First and The Last House’ , now a store sits near the end of the cliff. This is England’s most westerly point, it is possible to see the Isles of Scilly on a clear day. Not today!
Also saw my friend Paddington who I last saw in Edinburgh.
We rode on a diversion road to the tiny beach at Porthcurno which is home to the Minack Theatre, which would have looked like this if open. It is cut into the rock face. Amazing.
Drizzle hung around and we broke out our Temu galoshes and ponchos!!
We continued along the coast, and through the semi tropical valley at Lamorna. At the end is a beach with a tall sea wall. Many walkers come here for the surrounding hilltop walks.
By the time we left here the sun was glowing. Back tracking, the route runs down the coast to Mousehole (pronounced Mowzl’), another picture postcard village, with a history of pilchard fishing and now has a small artists community.
We finally arrived in Penzance still in sunshine. Not sure what I expected as I’ve always associated the name with the musical Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan in 1879.
Roughly 20,000 population. Was once overrun with pirates. Now a serviceable town with fishing and usual market town supplies. Not that exciting. Our hotel was also a surprise. A characterful pub and clientele. Very busy. Basic room but clean. We did have to take a couple of compromises to get our dates so this maybe one. Great meal here and super service.
Big day! 63.37 kms.
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