Gorran Haven to Portscatho

6/4/13 I know that this is not on the coastpath, but I still find it impressive for now. Then again, we'll have to see it few more times yet.

So we drove to Saltash to get a Ride Cornwall train to St Austell and then bus to Gorran Haven. Around the corner from there is Vault Beach.

From here it is on past the cross on Dodman Point to Hemmick Beach.

From the beach there was a diversion up the steep hill road to Boswinger. Then we followed the road until we cut across and down a large field towards Caerhays Castle. Then there was some guess work involved in choosing a route through a couple of fields, before descending to the Porthollands. A few more ups and downs and we arrived in Portloe.

The Ship Inn isn't on the path, but we hadn't had any sustenance since St Austell. The path out of the village was again a little freestyle, but we were soon on the ups and downs again before passing Gull Rock and rounding Nare Head. We were starting to tire now and varying distances to Portscatho on the signs served only to confuse us.

At least we could see it now. We had to find a bus stop as soon as we arrived there. The bus to Truro left us in the city centre, but we weren't sure where things were. To our disappointment, there is no pub near the station and not even a vending machine. So a stop at a supermarket was needed once back in the car. It had been a long thirsty day with over 16 hilly, publess miles walked.

Charlestown to Gorran Haven

1/4/13 A few pubs and so TVP to St Austell. It was a 20 minute walk to Charlestown and the pubs were open.

The Harbourside Inn is the first one (behind the white van). It looked like more of a bar from the outside, but  was an empty pub inside. Pints of Bass (4.4%) and Cornish Knocker (4.5%) for £6.20 and a game of pool were nice.

On the seaward side is the Pier House Inn. It is a hotel and the attached small pub did feel a bit like a hotel bar. The same beers for £6.50 here.

Then we were off. The path is relatively gentle at first. The ground was dry, but it was windy and chilly. Eventually the hills became larger and there were plenty of steps. We walked out to Black Head and then down to Hallane Mill.

With the wind behind us, it was then on to Pentewan.

The Ship Inn has the empty tables outside. Two pints of Trelawny (3.8%) for £6.30. It is an eating place, but there were a few locals watching the football. It was then around the holiday park and up and down a few more hills before the descent to Mevagissey.

There are three establishments on the quayside. We decided that the Sharksfin was a bar/restaurant and so went next door to the Harbour Tavern. A pint of Doom (4%) and Betty Stoggs (4%) for £6, but it did feel like another bar/restaurant. Then we went to the Wheelhouse which claimed to be a pub, but wasn't. Two Cornish Knockers for £7. Then it was over the hill to Portmellon.

Two pints of Sharp's Spring Ice Ale for £6.20 were a nice finish in the Rising Sun. Children were on the pool table, but it seemed like a busy pub. From here it was a relatively easy walk around Chapel Point to Gorran Haven.

No pasties to be had, so it was a portion of chips before catching the last bus back to St Austell and train back to TVP.