27/04/26 - Stepper Point to the Harbour Inn, Padstow

Our Favourite Walk?

We've done this one before and I'll be surprised if we don't do it again in the future. The inland sections on most Coastal Circular walks involve cattle fields, mud and stiles. Not this one. The way to the coast is on broad tracks. Where there is a stile, its one of those Cornish quaint stand up slates jobs that are easy to vault. 

Walking around the headland also provides 3 times more coast than land.

Looking at Trevone, on easy agricultural paths

There could be endless pictures of the sea, as we move around Porthmisson, Gunver Head, Butter Hole and eventually to the tower and lookout station at Stepper Point. Where the Camel meets the seas is so spectacular they named an old beer after in. The once ubiquitous Doom Bar.

Stepper Point Tower

The Happy Couple, where the Camel meets the Sea

The only thing that changed from the previous walk is a stop at the tea shop at the Coastguard's Station and where to lunch Padstow. All things Rick Stein must be avoided. Can you believe that his chipper now charges £25 for takeaway. I mean, its not as if there are transportation costs involved are there? And for this, you have to battle seagulls, find a bench and have no other facilities.

The pub wins - a google suggests that the Golden Lion offer the best fish.

A little sign says the kitchen is closed today. Today only.

We'd not noticed the Harbour Inn before - tucked away down a little alley on the way back to Corporate Rick. If the fish and chips are as excellent as the beer range, then we will be in luck. Unusual Cornish Ales, at least one not seen before.

The Harbour Inn

It's all low ceilings and nautical nick-nacks. 

Session ready

And the Fish and Chips? £4 cheaper, served on a plate and delightfully light batter, according to Mrs M.

Walk Details

Distance - 7.5 Miles

Geocaches - 4

Walk Inspiration - 40 Walks in Cornwall

25/04/26 - Mawgan Porth to Watergate Bay

The £16 Breakfast

Dog sitting at Mawgan Porth for the third time. We know what we are doing. With walks this good, repetition is bound to happen.

A simple there and back walk over a spectacular section of the South West Coast Path. Dramatic cliffs, secret coves, glorious beaches. Completed during our first visit and again in our second, where I chose not to blog, as there was nothing different to report.

If we hadn't stopped for breakfast (we don't have enough cold cross buns to get through the toaster-less weekend ), then there would be nothing new to say this time.

Mawgan Porth Beach

Inaccessible Beacon Cove

Watergate bay - for breakfast

A full English Breakfast at the Beach Hut. We're paying for the views but £16, where tea, toast and a service charge are all extra. In case you say "so what?", Mrs M asked for an egg on her vegan monstrosity. £3. One Egg.

And they forgot her beans.

Cold Bacon, improved by curly sausage

It was a better start to the day than a review from my Facebook page suggested;

Oh dear oh dear.

Massive tomato, one equally massive mushroom and an artisan sausage. A single piece of thin bacon and green stuff on the eggs. There is no place for anything green on a breakfast. No black pudding.

Beans in a pot ensures proper separation however which is a plus point.

3/10

These things are taken seriously by my Facebook followers.

Fuel for the return back... Ruby and Wolf, with Mrs M

Walk Details

Distance - 5 Miles

Geocaches - 0

24/04/26 - The Old Albion, Crantock

A Tribute

It was Facebook memories that altered us to the anniversary. Exactly 12 years ago, we were completing a walk from Crantock. A fine photo outside the Old Albion - playing up to my football and national loyalties - used occasionally as a profile picture on one of my route websites.

Armed with a National Trust Membership card, it seemed fitting to repeat the walk and the photo, The £9 saved on car parking can be put towards post walk refreshment.

Dogs demanded a play on Crantock Beach before the walking started

Over West Pentire Head to Polly Joke

A sandwich stop at Holywell, before a different inland route to same ultimate destination.

In a world of change, it's nice that some things are timeless. The Old Albion - like me - showing it's age a little with bits dropping off it but still the same. Tribute, thatched roof, low ceilings, outside patio.

See you in 2038.

2014 Edition of Mappiman

2026 - Gained a lantern lost a L D and B

Walk Details

Distance - 7 Miles

Geocaches - 3

Walk Inspiration - Jarrold Cornwall

21/04/26 - The West Midlands Way Summary

 

The West Midland Way is a 50 year old walking route. Starting at Meriden, rumoured centre of England, it charts a circular route through Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Staffordshire. Hand drawn maps are always a challenge, but it was simple enough to plot, with many of the paths incorporated into established Long Distance Paths. The North Worcestershire Way and Heart of England Way were frequently visited.

Highlights

The route started with well connected by public transport locations. 

Stage 4 offered superb walking - the first time I have walked the Lickey Hills, Clent Hills and Waseley Hills on the same route - utilising the North Worcestershire Path.

Plenty of new and interesting discoveries - not least arriving at Rugeley to follow an Adventure Lab Cache detailing the life of the "Prince of Poisoners".

My adaption of the route included some fine drinking towns. Bridgnorth, Lichfield and Tamworth for the three times winner of CAMRA Pub of the Year. Bathams at the Three Horsehoes in Alverley, was possibly the best way I have ever waited for a bus. The bus stop right outside.

Lowlights

I will never understand why the route designers, Ron and Eric, missed out Lichfield. Looked like they did this on purpose, as the route detoured around it. Of course, I had to include it for public transportation. 

Seeing one man bring the entire North/South Railway network to a standstill by smoking cigarettes on the bridge just outside Penkridge Station was a lesson in woke policing.

Warwickshire is the most boring county to walk in - so the ending was not particularly fitting. Boring fields gave way to two miles of road walking, which could only be avoided by adding serious miles to an already long route. 

Meriden hides its only pub away from the town centre - which meant delayed celebration.

The Stages

Stage 1 - Meriden to Kenilworth

Stage 2 - Kenilworth to Henley-in-Arden

Stage 3 - Henley-in-Arden to Alvechurch

Stage 4 - Alvechurch to Hagley

Stage 5 - Hagley to Kinver

Stage 6 Part 1 - Kinver to Alverley

Stage 6 Part 2 - Alverley to Bridgnorth

Stage 7 - Bridgnorth to Shifnal

Stage 8 - Shifnal to Penkridge

Stage 9 - Penkridge to Rugeley

Stage 10 - Rugeley to Lichfield

Stage 11 - Lichfield to Tamworth

Stage 12 - Kingsbury to Meriden