View through a window of The Crowns Mine buildings
Welcome to Winter in West Cornwall and Happy New Year! – we would like to wish you all the very best for 2018. Here on the coast of West Cornwall right in the heart of the World heritage Devon and Cornwall Tin Mining Site we have been experiencing some incredible gale force conditions lately, which if embraced with the appropriate care can be immensely enjoyable and exhilarating. For the thrill-seeking rambler the winds can add an extra dimension to an already breathing taking environment. And for those who really enjoy the extra physical challenge – the often muddy and slippery footpaths offer extra calorie burning opportunities as you traverse the rugged terrain along the St Ives to Land’s End stretch of the South West Coastal Path during this post-Christmas period.
When you need to rest a while from the howling wind and the pelting rain just hunker down a while against one of the many imposing granite rocks and endeavour to take in the awe-inspiring views. Through squinting eyes and gritted teeth, draw breath through your salty sea-sprayed lips as you lean through one of the window openings in the iconic Crowns Mine buildings to gaze down into the cauldron of boiling waves clawing up at you from the rocky shoreline below. Adventure was made for Cornwall in winter.
That was yesterday. Today was calm and serene. I couldn’t see much of the usual view of the Scilly Isles for the fog, but it added atmosphere and intrigue and once again I found myself enjoying yet another challenge – this time a navigational one as I wandered along the well-trodden footpaths trying to find my way back home again through the soft caressing whiteness of the mist, not been able to recognise the usual landmarks like Cape Cornwall or Kenidjack Castle until I was upon them. But it was great meeting other explorers out on the path and sharing our experience along the way.
Tomorrow promises sunshine and the yellow sands of Porthminster, Porthmeor and Porthgwidden at St Ives will shine up like gold under my feet as I step from the little cobbled streets of sparkly enticing shops straight on to the beaches there with my family. The dog will enjoy a run as our children play in the sand and we will watch others play dare with the gently lapping incoming tide as their dogs jump around in the shallow waters. Then maybe we will take a surf session down on Sennen Cove in the afternoon before heading back to the pub for some homemade grub and some local real ale and then home. And we might have met you there at the Queens Arms too that evening before you stroll back to our campsite, which, incidentally, is open all year round, for your nights rest. More adventure to follow. Michelle, Charlie, Eva and George – see you soon!