Day Twenty Six - Mawnan to Falmouth 12.8km (8.0 miles).
Time on route 5:05hrs, walking time 3:20hrs.
Saturday 21 November 2015
It seemed fitting to complete my 2015 SWCP year by reaching Falmouth. I haven't been that well recently so a short 12k seemed ideal. The weather looked pretty awful and I was nearly regretting pre-paying for my B&B. But it was a short walk and there was a delightful looking pub en route which I figured would be ideal to dry off in.
I drove down to Falmouth early Saturday, shivered at the bus stop peeping out at the freezing rain, and caught the bus to Mawnan Smith. The rain stopped and I walked in the dry down to Mawnan Church from where I picked up my route.
Looking back at Helford Passage.
And then the sun came out. So rather than waterproof trousers I was regretting not packing the sunglasses.
As I had spare time I wandered off the path up towards Rosemullion where I knew there was a trig to be found. I slid and slipped my way up the fields and was rewarded with a glimpse of my holy grail. OK, a trig then. TP5738
The sun continued to smile on me as I slithered towards Maenporth. It was incredibly windy - the forecasts had been predicting gusts of up to 42mph and at times I certainly had to push my way into the wind.
The Cove Inn at Maenporth was a wonderful find. I treated myself to a lazy tapas lunch overlooking the sea. I had thought I'd be drying out at this juncture and was delighted to still be dry; even though it did take quite a few minutes to unpeel all my layers, hat, gloves, waterproof, fleece etc before sitting down.
Once fed and watered I headed off towards Falmouth passing Swanpool beach - actually a contraction of Swamp-pool rather than anything more graceful. The presence of the flue from the old arsenic works doesn't glamourise it either.
As you near Falmouth there is a large sweep around Pendennis Point before finding Falmouth town centre. Some lovely buildings en route.
You can't easily see Pendennis Castle from the path - but can certainly see some of the WW2 fortifications added to this coastline.
Falmouth is a quirky, fun maritime town, reminiscent of Dartmouth. I enjoyed the architecture.
I walked through the town to the Prince of Wales pier, then retraced my steps back to my B&B for a hot shower. I had a delightful meal at the Lookout that evening.
I explored more of Falmouth on Sunday.
I wanted to complete my Falmouth walk by crossing Carrick Roads to St Mawes so that my next leg starts on the east side of the river. The St Mawes Ferry runs hourly, even on Sundays in November.
Again, despite a stormy weather forecast, Falmouth was kind to me and I had a smooth crossing.
Looking back to Falmouth.
St Mawes Castle.
St Mawes Harbour. The clouds were gathering.
Unfortunately I wasn't quite able to reach the next landfall on St Anthony Head as the small ferry from St Mawes to Place across the Percuil has finished for the season. So for now I just turned straight around and came back on the ferry to Falmouth. I'll leave thinking about crossing to St Anthony Head for 2016. And to end this chapter of the coast path Falmouth threw me a beautiful rainbow.
Time on route 5:05hrs, walking time 3:20hrs.
Saturday 21 November 2015
It seemed fitting to complete my 2015 SWCP year by reaching Falmouth. I haven't been that well recently so a short 12k seemed ideal. The weather looked pretty awful and I was nearly regretting pre-paying for my B&B. But it was a short walk and there was a delightful looking pub en route which I figured would be ideal to dry off in.
I drove down to Falmouth early Saturday, shivered at the bus stop peeping out at the freezing rain, and caught the bus to Mawnan Smith. The rain stopped and I walked in the dry down to Mawnan Church from where I picked up my route.
Looking back at Helford Passage.
And then the sun came out. So rather than waterproof trousers I was regretting not packing the sunglasses.
As I had spare time I wandered off the path up towards Rosemullion where I knew there was a trig to be found. I slid and slipped my way up the fields and was rewarded with a glimpse of my holy grail. OK, a trig then. TP5738
The sun continued to smile on me as I slithered towards Maenporth. It was incredibly windy - the forecasts had been predicting gusts of up to 42mph and at times I certainly had to push my way into the wind.
The Cove Inn at Maenporth was a wonderful find. I treated myself to a lazy tapas lunch overlooking the sea. I had thought I'd be drying out at this juncture and was delighted to still be dry; even though it did take quite a few minutes to unpeel all my layers, hat, gloves, waterproof, fleece etc before sitting down.
Once fed and watered I headed off towards Falmouth passing Swanpool beach - actually a contraction of Swamp-pool rather than anything more graceful. The presence of the flue from the old arsenic works doesn't glamourise it either.
As you near Falmouth there is a large sweep around Pendennis Point before finding Falmouth town centre. Some lovely buildings en route.
You can't easily see Pendennis Castle from the path - but can certainly see some of the WW2 fortifications added to this coastline.
Falmouth is a quirky, fun maritime town, reminiscent of Dartmouth. I enjoyed the architecture.
I walked through the town to the Prince of Wales pier, then retraced my steps back to my B&B for a hot shower. I had a delightful meal at the Lookout that evening.
I explored more of Falmouth on Sunday.
I wanted to complete my Falmouth walk by crossing Carrick Roads to St Mawes so that my next leg starts on the east side of the river. The St Mawes Ferry runs hourly, even on Sundays in November.
Again, despite a stormy weather forecast, Falmouth was kind to me and I had a smooth crossing.
Looking back to Falmouth.
St Mawes Castle.
St Mawes Harbour. The clouds were gathering.
Unfortunately I wasn't quite able to reach the next landfall on St Anthony Head as the small ferry from St Mawes to Place across the Percuil has finished for the season. So for now I just turned straight around and came back on the ferry to Falmouth. I'll leave thinking about crossing to St Anthony Head for 2016. And to end this chapter of the coast path Falmouth threw me a beautiful rainbow.
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