Thursday 18 August 2011

18/8/11 - Extreme Caching at Bedruthan

Miles - 5
Walk Inspiration from Walking World
Caches - three found.  Sonia told me off for attempting the more dangerous

This could well be it for walking this holiday.  Tomorrow is forecast wall to wall sunshine, so we are planning a full day on the beach.  End with a deligthful coastal walk and some killer caches that could have put an end to Mappiman's exploits.

Yesterdays Update
After getting back from Brown Willy yesterday, the weather was not so good.  So we had a drive out to Truro for the shops.  I was still really thirsty after my morning exploits, so Ellie delightfully led Sonia off to Dorothy Perkins whilst I went in search of a pub.  Alex reckoned he knew where one was, so led me back up through town.  Have you ever tried to set served at Edinburgh Woollen Mill?
An exciting drive home following the world's worst learner driver and then the sun comes out, so we dropped the kids off and went down to Haylin Bay for cream teas and so Molly could get a run in the sea.  Blissful.
Evening entertainment was an adults only curry - with all the kids staying at the Goulds.  This was followed by a visit to the Bridge on Wool pub which has open night.  Some very talented people were performing.  And Eugene, the bass player.  I also learned that you can play the same rhythm on the bongo drums to any song you damn well like.
Top night out.  I wish that our town had this sort of entertainment.

Bedruthen



Sonia woke me at 8am and I suggested that we might have a lie in.  She protested that this would mean that she had only completed one walk this holiday, so I met her enthusiasm by putting on yesterdays still wet boots and heading out for the 30 minute drive the the National Trust parking at Pendarves Point.  From the high headland, we can see the coastal part of the route we are taking and its looks spectaculr.  Lots of little islands of rocks with interesting formations, which we can see from the high cliffs.  Crystal clear water.

Route is behind us.

Could have been diggory's island
There are loads of caches along the route.  Get the first couple, no problem at all.  First two both contain Travel Bugs to take back to the Midlands with me.  My haul now stands at four for the week.  Then the caches start getting increasingly close to the edge.  I have tentative looks, but Sonia calls me back as though I am an errant child.  To be fair, I didn't feel that comfortable with them.  To give you an idea.  One of the clues is "Overhanging Ledge".  So a cache that is literally over a 100ft Cliff.  No thanks!

One of the caches is in a box that requires a screwdriver to open.  This is a shame, as I won't be able to claim a find and it leaves me agonysingly on 1499 caches.  Oh well, maybe tomorrow evening at Port Isaac, I'll get to 1500.


Molly standing over me at one of the safer caches.

After a stunning coastal walk, we head inland at Porth Mear.  This is a nice stretch of walking alongside a stream, eventually putting us out on the road where came in. The direction seems to be going away from the car park for some reason.  Even Sonia, with her lack of directional sense feels this.

Duck Boards through the Jungle
The remainder of the walk is through fields and along country lanes.  All nice enough by its self, but really the filler to get back to the car after the lord mayors show of the coast.  The car park is now manned by the world's cheeriest National Trust Attendant who asks us if we enjoyed our walk, where we are going this afternoon and where we are stopping.  Its a fine line between friendliness and nosiness.  We have to cross his palm with £2.20 to stop the inquisition.

So that's probably it blog fans.  This holiday we have thrown shapes on Booby's beach, mingled with the middle classes at Padstow, been insulted by dog who wouldn't walk and seen what a Brown Willy looks like.

Love Cornwall.  Love family Holidays.  Love our Friends.  Love pubs where amateurs can belt out Amy Winehouse over the bongos.

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