Portreath to Washaway

A warm, sunny day in Cornwall seemed like the perfect occasion to test Janet’s conviction that she could actually walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats by hiking along the high bluffs of the South West Coast Path.  Unfortunately, the weather also provided the perfect opportunity for all Brits anywhere near Cornwall to put the recent rains behind them, as they flocked to the seashore.  As a result, virtually every car park even remotely proximate to the SWCP was jammed full, and even my world-renowned driving prowess was unable to assist us in finding a parking space.  This led me to conclude that there are two truisms of hiking in Britain:

1.       If you want to walk in Britain, it’s best not to have a car; and

2.       It’s best not to hike on sunny days.

Clearly, it was following those two simple rules that made last year’s walk a success.

Instead of hiking, we simply drove along the coastal road, accessing spectacular views whenever a lay-by (turnout) provided the opportunity.  Even though we would have preferred hiking, it was a lovely day for a drive.

At St. Endellion Church

Our drive took us past the church at St. Endellion, on whose bench I sat last year to rest after a long ascent on a hot day.  There was nobody around to take my picture last year, so Janet volunteered to do so this year.

St. Endellion is close to Port Isaac, the scenic location of the fictitious village of Port Wenn in the Doc Martin television series.  Some of you may remember that the program was being taped last year when I passed through, and the sets were in place.  They don’t shoot during the summer, so the sets have been removed.  But the harbor is still there, and the streets are still narrow.

2011

2012

Narrow Street in Port Isaac

We’ll try again to walk the South West Coast Path, but first we’ll pay a visit to my good friend, King Arthur, and have him do something about the crowds.

(c) 2012 Ken Klug