We stayed again in Port Isaac - home of Doc Martin - last night and then a short taxi ride with another amazingly friendly taxi driver this morning - everyone seems to be relishing the end of the summer around here! So we end up back in Polzeath, which is where we left on Friday.
Today is the start of the "easy" stretch which means it isn't relentless ups and downs but still quite a distance. The swell is BIG, there is no wind and the sun is coming out. And the beaches are amazing!
So we climb above Polzeath for our first gratuitous beach shot. (Technically this is Haye Bay). Loads of surfers on a Monday morning who have managed to avoid the work trap.
Straight into Padstow bay and on the way to Rock...
Must have been something in Harry's porridge this morning - he is well up for some ball throwing action wherever there is an opportunity
Second gratuitous beach shot... Daymer Beach. Apparently one of the best swimming beaches, in terms of water quality, in the country...
No swimming for Harry... just keep chucking that ball bitch!
And we're onto Rock beach where we will catch the ferry to Padstow...
It's horrible... we will walk around that headland later today
Throw the damn ball dude!
Rock is the home of Sharps Brewery who make Doom Bar - one of the best beers in the world ever... but it was only today I found out that only the draft version is brewed here - the bottled version is brewed in Burton-on-Trent... no wonder it tastes different!
And on to the Rock ferry to Padstow...
Padstow is overrun as usual so we make a quick exit onto the path and the sun is out!
Some nice views back into Padstow Bay and the Camel Estuary. The Doom Bar is a particularly harzardous strip of sand which forms a rare natural harbour here - it prevents big ships getting into Padstow and over 300 have been stranded or wrecked on it.
Familiar territory as we get out of the estuary... in the distance is Damler Bay and Polzeath we left this morning
We're on top of the world again...
We need to go around that headland by some distance to arrive at our accomodation tonight. Better crack on.
Then another cracking beach - Trevone Bay...
More play...
And we made friends...
This dude is determined to sell ice cream - how he even made it this far through the rock and sand is a mystery - perhaps he surfed it in....
And into Harlyn Bay which is as stunning as the other beaches... time for a lunch pit stop in the Harlyn Inn which is the most touristy pub I have ever been in... it gives Westward Ho! a run for it's money single handedly...
Nice lighthouse at Travis Head...
And onto my favourite beaches of the day... Booby's Bay
And Constantine Bay
Which join together to be stunning. More friskiness and ball throwing...
The terrain is getting more rugged again
Yet another beach
and some more playing
And in the distance is the bay where we spend the night..
Another great beach at Porthcothan... the cloud is building but it is still very warm
Our B&B is a little weird with a load of buoys hung around a bungalow, especially after the Old School House in Port Isaac but clean and comfortable - I can even get a wifi signal if I stand on a chair...
Just time to sample the local produce before turning in...
