Polruan

Day 1 of our holiday started off with a bit of a wobble and not a few tears!   I had felt so rough for the past few weeks but the thing that had kept me going was the thought of a couple of coastal walks in Cornwall. However, I had forgotten about the steepness of bits of the coast path and it was only when I was standing at the top of Pencarrow Head (having parked at the National Trust car park there) that I had major doubts that I'd be able to walk any of it.

(I've since read my walk diary from this stretch of the path which I'd done in April 2004 and am glad I didn't read it in advance of walking - otherwise I'd never have done it!  "My guidebook said I had a "strenuous" seven miles to Fowey and that "we advise anyone unaccustomed to coastal walking that this is one of the toughest sections.")

I'd chosen a four mile circular walk from Pencarrow Head along the coast to Polruan, with a short stretch along the Fowey River through woodland to climb up to Lanteglos-by-Fowey church and back to Pencarrow.  (This "short" four mile walk took me four hours!)

It was a lovely, bright and sunny day, although quite breezy and we met quite a few other walkers en route. Finn made a few friends with other dogs on the path and spent most of the time off his lead chasing around, which is good for both of us.   It means I get a really quiet time for the rest of the day - with him gently snoring beside the fire and generally leaving me alone!

We reached Polruan by walking steeply down the narrow streets to the harbour.  Sadly, dogs aren't allowed on the beach at Polruan at any time of the year, so Finn didn't get his paddle.   We sat and watched the boats in and out of Fowey and Polruan for a while until it got a bit cold and we set off again.   I did toy with the idea of getting the ferry over to Fowey for a while but Finn has never been on a boat before and I was a bit worried he'd jump overboard and try and swim!   I have used the ferry before and I remember it being a very choppy crossing.

So, after a short sit down, it was time to head off again, alongside the river and through woodland which opened up occasionally and gave stunning views over to Fowey.

Once out of the woodland, it was a bit of a climb along lanes to the church at Lanteglos, and then another climb up the lane back to Pencarrow and the car.

A fab day, really enjoyed it - it took quite a long time, but the overwhelming feeling was of relief that I'd actually managed it.   Perhaps I'm not such an old crock after all!