To Perranporth

Friday 9^th March 2018

The met had promised change and they were correct. A sea mist had enveloped us and when this cleared it turned to drizzle. Jackie went off for a shower.

This site despite having some great views was in my opinion not much more than a field with some bushes planted in random fashion and the odd power pole. There were also one or two gravelled hard stands. Mother nature was fighting to reclaim these and was to an extent winning. There were two ablution blocks. One was closed we were told due to the recent winter storms and needed repairs. The other was a series of medium sized wooden sheds. Two ‘family rooms’, with a shower, wc, wash basin, all free hot water, a separate ladies W.C. with one small shower. A  pot wash area and a small launderette. £4 a spin. They were clean inside having I suspect been recently painted for the coming season. For these facilities and the ‘field’ with a view we paid £19 a night included electricity.

Compare this with Helligan Woods at Mevagissey. State of the art reception area, clean warm welcoming, lounge chairs, well laid out information area. Immaculate grounds well-tended, flowers growing amongst numerous species of flora. Well gravelled pitches also good views and a degree of privacy between many. £11 pn inc electricity. How do they do it. Economy of scale perhaps?

The weather had taken a decidedly turn for the worse. As it was now 1100hrs it was in theory time to vacate. Although off season as we were, hardly any site owners monitor your off time. In any case you could barely see across the field due to the sea mist and rain, so how would they know. We drove out. Not a soul to be seen anywhere.

We were headed for the King Harry Ferry. This crosses the River Fal just below the National Trust house of Trelissick. It will save you considerable time, fuel, wear and tear if you’re travelling from the Roseland Peninsular to Falmouth or even Truro. It costs £6 single. We had intended to park up and visit the house but it was hammering down by now as so we thought we would press on towards St Agnes and the Driftwood Spar Hotel and pub at Trevaunance  Cove and take lunch. I had recced this route on Google earth a week or so ago and had reservations about the entry to their car park. It looked narrow. It  was also a slightly awkward turn in but managed it with just a kiss of the rear bumper bar. Which incidentally I also did with the exit as well.

 The Spars in the Driftwood relate to the huge beams or spars that keep the Driftwood standing. They were salvaged from shipwrecks along the coast and were utilised to build the Driftwood in the 1650s. The building itself offers a wealth of history having been converted from a tin mining warehouse, chandlery, sail making loft and fish cellar over the years to a hotel with bar in the early 1900’s and a public bar in the 1940’s.

We walked in and to us it was as dark as the proverbial but eventually ours eyes adjusted to the gloom. History oozed from the walls and beams. It was certainly original in all aspects. We logged in with the bar the fact we were parked in their carpark and bought lunch. This gave us free access. The place was very busy considering it was somewhat off the beaten track but the 'beer festival' helped. This was held in an adjoining room. This area was spacious light and airy. Most music functions seemed to be held here. Lunch over we took a very short stroll down to the beach. It was raining again and so we upped anchor and made our way to Perranporth.

Tonight we were parked behind the Texaco petrol station. Now I know that doesn't sound too romantic but at a fiver a night, the price is right. No facilities but we are self contained.

We had made arrangements to meet Ben, a fellow traveller on last August's canoe trip to Sweden. He lived right centre of Perranporth. We would also have an opportunity to meet with his father Tony who, like Ben and ourselves was booked on this years trip to Sweden. More lake than river journey this time. The lakes are huge make no mistake. As a manager for the life guards he was positioned only yards from one of the busiest beaches in Cornwall. Today though he had to conduct interviews later that day in Torquay and could not join us for a pint that evening. After a chat and a mug of T we returned to the Ice Cream Lorry.


 

Maisie met up with us at 1800hrs and we walked through the drizzle to a Weatherspoons, The Green Parrot for some grub.

Jackie took great delight in ordering food and drink using her app which worked surprising well. The staff were quickly delivering our order.  Food finished we returned to Chez Texaco and at 2030hrs we bade Maisie farewell.

Tomorrow we were due to return home Tracey had organized an early dinner for us at The Miners Arms..