Mullets at Rock to Polzeath.

Rock On the Golden Girls D4.

Low tide again. makes for easier walking rather than through the dunes.

Somebody's weekend cottage overlooking Polzeath beach.

Steeper Point from the far side of The Camel River Estuary.

It was very windy today, blowing straight in from the Atlantic. Leaving Mullets, we were somewhat protected by the Sailing School on the peninsular and the curve of the beach. Once past the Sailing School it was a different proposition and we struggled against the wind which was blowing sand across the beaches from Polzeath to Rock. As one might expect, when arriving at Polzeath, virtually all shops and cafe's were closed. We knew further up the hill we could obtain food and drink in the Oystercatcher pub. We were looking for a café and toasted tea cakes.

We stumbled upon The Tubestation Café. This was once upon a moonbeam a Methodist Chapel. Established in 1898 with the purchase of a field, a tin hut was erected for worship, quickly dubbed the 'tin tabernacle' it served the local community till it's closure in 2002. The tin hut long since demolished and a purpose built chapel erected.Purchased by locals in 2006 it has been run as an organized community café and gathering space. A space also for local artists to display their 'creations' in return for 'time' serving in the café. The coffee beans are locally, Wadebridge roasted coffee beans.

Assisted by the wind at our backs for the return cliff top walk.

The winds now had abated considerably and as we were passing the Sailing School who should we bump into but Les and Mel walking Sam. We joined them and retraced our steps slightly to the Rock Inn for a coffee.

Great weather lets get the canoe out.

November and the sun is cracking the paving slabs! Well not exactly but it's great weather. Little or no wind so we decide to get out on the water. Sunday evening, I'm sat on the patio enjoying a G+T when Les suggests we go paddling. Within thirty minutes we were on the water. Beautiful sunset.

Sunday, being November 5th, we gathered on the terrace for cocktails  and to watch the firework display the other side of the river Camel at Padstow.

Jackie preparing supper. Veggie Wellington.

Lal, so disappointed that the men had no interest in making lanterns this year she made her own.

Monday am It was early to rise. A quick cuppa and we were on the water by 0815hrs. We sailed up river against the outgoing tide. Passing flocks of Oyster Catchers, Egrets and a solitary heron on fishing duty. This was Lal and Andy's first excursion in a canoe for many a year. Under Les's tutelage they were soon paddling away like a couple of extras from 'Hawkeye, Last of the Mohicans'.

Mel and Les.

Lal and Andy aboard HMS Handbag.

Brew up on the beach.

To Steeper Point

In need of some exercise after breakfast we made our way along the beach to catch the passenger ferry to Padstow. With such a low tide the 'landing craft' dropped us on the beach as opposed to the harbour. That was great as it saved us a half mile of walking. With such a low tide we made our way along the beach to the Old Lifeboat Station at Hawkers Cove. Which I believe is now, or was a holiday rental. A bit remote in my opinion. From here we took the cliff path to the Coast Watch station above Steeper Point. There was a man on duty who responded well to our enquiries about today's shipping. The wind blowing in off the Atlantic was fit to blow your hat off. We tarried not long and were soon on the move. Dropping off this feature into the lee the 'gale force' wind we had experienced on top disapeared and it was very pleasant walking through the fields back towards the beach and the return journey to Padstow Harbour for the ferry crossing to Rock. Once ashore we made our way to The Mariners for a pint of Sharpe's cider then back to Mullets for 'cakey tea'.

Mothercombe to St Peter the Poor Fisherman's Church

Mothercombe car park to St Peter the Poor Fisherman's Church at Revelstoke Beach, just east of Noss Mayo. Only 9 miles walking but there was a considerable amount of up hill and down dale on the coast path. At 0900hrs the pheasants we saw numbered 60+ easily throughout the walk. Fantastic weather for November. At sea all was flat calm. Perfect for canoeing and it would have been considerably less strenuous than walking!!

Mothercombe Beach

View from 18th century folly of Membland Pleasure House at Beacon Hill

Entrance to Stoke Beach Caravan Park

The Church of St Peter the Poor Fisherman at Revelstoke Beach, East of Newton Ferrers. Dates from Saxon times in 1226. It is a Grade 1 listed building but now a 'redundant' church and as such is administered by the Churches Conservation Trust. Of great historical/architectural interest.

A fantastic historical feel to the church. Visit it.

The Church of St Peter the Poor Fisherman.

St Peter's at Revelstoke.

Remembrance Sunday is only a few days away.

The church dates from 1226 and is Saxon.

The 'road' or cliff path back to Mothercombe away in the far distance.

Stoke Beach on the far headland, just visible.



Yesterday, Wednesday, whilst Jackie met with the Golden Girls for a walk in Plymbridge Les and I thought we might take the sit-ons out on the Tamar. High tide wasn't until  1530hrs so we thought we would catch a quick bite to eat in The Railway at Saltash.

No sooner had we finished our Chicken pie with chips, peas and a half of Thatchers Gold than we were at Saltash public slip. The sit-ons were soon in the water and we were underway.

We were on a recce for an overnight camp spot we had spotted a few weeks back. Eventually we found it and landed. It did not seem, if my Iban tracker skills still held good that anyone had landed here all summer. The place was overgrown. WE settled in a flat piece of the landing well back from the river and hidden in the trees. For an overnight stay it would be nice to pull the boats ashore and cam them up. There seemed to be no habitation that close. A farm, more or less opposite on the far distant hill would not see the light of our fire if we kept it small and screened.

As we had eaten earlier our usual canoe feast of bacon, eggs, onions and mushrooms in a bap was not needed but we both lit fires and brewed up. We made a mental note of gear we would need and hoped to return sometime soon.