So its 2022 and the “Cycling the Coast” project goes on.
The South West – Somerset, Devon and Cornwall
“Well the normal wind direction is from the south west so best to start in Plymouth and work our way up the north coast to Weston super Mare” said Mike confidently.
“But at least check the weather forecast” said Fiona.
“OK, but everyone knows….ah, its from the East”, spluttered Mike.
So that was how we decided which direction to tackle the challenging south west. We were lucky to have clear, crisp and sunny weather to go with the breezy conditions.
But the sunny weather brought it’s own problems in that everywhere – every beach, every cliff face and every quaint village – was incredibly photogenic! That and the never ending hills made the South West so memorable.
The South West
So, having decided to start in Somerset (wind direction and all that) the first few days were flat-ish but that changed after Minehead – North Hill, Porlock and Lynmouth. They sure know how to make hills around there. The one good thing was Mike went DOWN Countisbury Hill but is still claiming it! The night was spent on the hills overlooking Lynton at a P4N.
Fiona then set off in the morning through Ilfracombe, Woolacombe to Braunton where we spent the night in another P4N car park . In the morning Mike went around the Taw estuary to Appledore where he was looking for the cottage where Emma, one of his daughters, has holidayed a few times – found, but can’t recommend the steep narrow streets for cycling! And then onto Westward Ho! – nothing to do with waving people off to the New World but a resort created after the Charles Kingsley – where Fiona took over to run! So that’s another “-ing” – running the coast. But it was hillier than she thought and she arrived at Bucks Mills totally wiped.
Drove on to the Hartland peninsular, spurning the tourist trap that is Clovelly – do you know they charge you to go into the village??- where we stopped for the night.(P4N)
We found a National Trust small car park with no “No Camping” sign so we stayed the night there peacefully with a lovely sunset. The next day we walked through the farm to the coast and onwards to Hartland Point – amazing views and a good hike. After that we drove out of Hartland as far as Bude where Fiona got her bike out and cycled to Holywell via Newquay where Mike took over as far as Portreath.
Back at Lands End
Camping at Lands End
Fiona at the Minack
Another ferry!
Our first meal together was here – in Fowey
So then it’s onwards to Lands End via Padstow and St Ives. Mike actually took the Rock to Padsow ferry but had to heave his bike over the Doom Bar s it was low tide. Both places were very busy and no place for a campervan – no idea what it would be like in summer! On the route between St Ives and Lands End Mike cycled through St Just where the first night of LeJog was nearly 9 years ago.
Lands End was amazing, idyllic and left us almost lost for words. We were lucky enough to be allowed to stay in the hotel’s car park after Fiona “pleaded” with them quoting “Its Mike birthday” (true” and “We met here 9 years ago” (also true). We then had two amazing nights and had a posh meal in the hotel on Mike’s birthday. The sunsets were epic.
The next day Fiona decided to Run, yes run, from Lands End to the Minack theatre – on the edge of the world. Such an amazing place and you do really wonder how they managed to build it. Anyway, quite a place to watch a performance, weather permitting. After the Minack we drove to the Lizard where Mike took over cycling to Falmouth.
Fiona after yet another run
The final day saw Fiona start off on yet another ferry. She was heading for Mevagissey where Mike would be waiting to take over for the final ride to Polperro. We actually booked a campsite – the first one since leaving Weston – it was overlooking the village on a farm. The bonus was it was lambing time so a quick look in the sheds saw the little ones bleating!
But it would not be right to leave Cornwall without some amazing photos of Tintagel Castle – they speak for themselves.
