Swanpool to Helford Passage

25/5/13 An early start was deemed necessary for this one as we had a long day planned ahead of us. So I drove to Playing Place where we caught the bus to the outskirts of Falmouth and walked downhill to the coast at Swanpool. We were walking by 9:30. They we setting up for the day on the beech and the sun was out already for the start of the bank and school holiday. The next place was Maenporth.

From here we continued around Rosemullion Head into the Helford river estuary. The gardens of Glendurgan and Trebah were close by and the path was getting busier with people out for a stroll or a run.

As we approached Helford Passage, the Ferryboat Inn came into view.

Pints of Trelawney (3.8%) and Proper Job (4.5%) for £7 were quaffed as we played pool inside and others took in the sun outside.

The intention was to catch the ferry after which the pub is named. Coming out the pub we could see the ferry on the beach in front of us, however it would have looked better in the water. A notice confirmed that the ferry would not be running for another two hours. So that was a premature and disappointing end to the day. We walked up the hill to Mawnan Smith, caught a bus to Falmouth, had a pie and a pint before another bus back to the car. The previous late night started to catch up on the way home, but at least we appeared to have the road to ourselves at times as we watched the queues in the other direction.

Falmouth

27/4/13 Likely to be pubs here, so TVP to Truro and then Penmere for the walk down to the Prince of Wales Pier where the St Mawes ferry comes in. The Prince of Wales is only just on the path.

Pints of Betty Stoggs (4%) and Proper Job (4.5%) for £6.80 tasted like the first pints of the day from the pumps. Also just on the path is Finn MCouls.

Sid felt obliged to have a Guiness (4.2%) and a Doom (4%) for £6.90. A free juke box was on offer. Next was the Grapes.

Doom (4%) and Cornish Coaster (3.8%) for £6.50. Sid asked the lad behind the bar for some light on the pool table. We hadn't expected him to have to climb up on the table to do it though. As you can see, we were just walking along the main drag. We hadn't seen any coastpath signs yet. The Kings Head was closed and so it was on to the Quayside Inn.

Only the Betty Stoggs (4%) was available for £6.18. We also ordered some starters to share. Further along the road is 5°W where we had pints of Tribute Pale Ale (4.2%) and Sharps Special (5%) for £6.80 and a game of battleships.

Just a couple of doors away is the Cutty Sark. Pints of Doom (4%) and Cornish Knocker (4.5%) for £7 and a game of pool.

Continuing in what seemed like the right direction for the coastpath, we eventually saw a sign to confirm it as we passed Falmouth Docks station. The path then goes around Pendennis. As we had a few pints on board, it seemed appropriate to do some climbing to get this view.

Next it was past Gyllyngvase Beach to Swanpool. We thought about walking a bit further, but there would have been no bus back and so we caught the last one back to the town.

We had a pasty and went to see if the Kings Head was open.

Portscatho to Place

14/4/13 The public transport options for this one were limited, so we opted for a circular walk. I parked in Portscatho and we popped into the Plume of Feathers for a pint even though it was just off the path. Then it was off along the coastpath on this breezy, cloudy Sunday. It was fairly gentle stuff through the Roseland countryside.

This view of Towan Beach was taken from an interesting vantage point...

 The pole is used for practicing breeches buoy rescues. The path continues towards St Anthony Head.

This is Portbeor Beach looking towards Zone Point. After passing Zone Point, the large Fal Estuary comes into view. Unsurprisingly, there is plenty evidence of military defences around St Anthony Head.

The path now has that estuary feel to it. Sheltered from the elements.

The path goes in land to avoid Place House and ends up in a graveyard.

Didn't notice if any of the graves were of coastpath walkers. We eventually end up at the jetty for the St Mawes ferry.

Just as well that we were planning a circular walk. The ferry wasn't running. We followed a wooded, muddy path along the river before an inland stretch towards Gerrans. The pub there was shut and so it was a relatively early return journey home.