Talland Bay

One of my most favourite walks ever is the stretch of coast between Looe and Polperro and I've done it a couple of times now, using the local bus services for access.  I did this stretch back in 2004 with Mum and Dad, and again with Amanda back in 2011.   This time, though, the weather wasn't great and that, coupled with the breathing issues, decided me to only do half the walk - a "there and back", rather than a circular, or linear with a bus ride.

So we parked up at Talland Bay in the beach car park before climbing the (massive) hill out of Talland to the start of where we needed to be. There has been some coastal erosion on this stretch of coast so the path has been diverted inland slightly until it picks up again further on.   This road walking didn't detract at all from the views although we did have to trespass slightly into a local garden to get a couple of decent pictures!

It was a really breezy day and the sea was really choppy - we got the odd spot of rain, so didn't hang about too much.

Polperro has got to be one of the prettiest coastal villages ever - the streets are really narrow and not wide enough for cars, so you need to leave your transport in the large car park at the top of the village on the main road .   Coming into the village on foot from the coastal path is really the only way to see it - it simply takes your breath away.

We headed a short way into the village, but the rain started to come down heavier and you're a bit limited about where you can go with a dog in tow.   There is a great pub in the village which has a rooftop garden where you can take dogs, but I really didn't fancy sitting out, braving the elements.  

Before the coast path had become dangerous and been diverted, it had originally gone straight past a war memorial which had  a strategically placed bench and I've sat there now every time I've done this walk, gazing out to sea.   So I was very pleased that a path had been excavated out as far as the memorial as a diversion.   We didn't stay long though - far too windy for us!

So it was then a quick leg stretch back down to the start of the walk - not before having to hoick Finn out of a local garden where he'd gone to investigate their veggie patch.  Bloody dog.  

It was far too cold to sit outside and have a coffee, so I had planned to stick Finn in the back of the car and go and sit in the cafe for a cream tea. However, the Talland Bay beach cafe have converted three beach huts into seating areas and the lovely lady there said I could take Finn in with me.  They're all done out with Cath Kidston cushions, bunting and even crockery and the coffee comes in the old blue and white Cornishware mugs.  Heaven.  Despite the beach hut shaking about in the wind and the rain thundering off the roof.   Total heaven.