Cream Teas &
Iced Hedgehogs

If our recent trip to Cornwall had a theme it would be something to do with food. I think all of those who came would agree that we ate extremely well. In fact, in spite of lengthy energetic walks virtually every day, I doubt that anyone ended the week without putting on a pound or two. Night after night we were treated to plentiful, delicious meals and day after day we were tempted by cream teas, cakes and whatever else you could stick a big dollop of clotted cream on. Probably the worst of the treats was the infamous St Agnes Iced Hedgehog: a concoction of finest Cornish ice cream atop a crisp wafer cone, smothered in thick clotted cream and studded with lashings of honey-roasted hazelnuts. Hmmm. Still we needed the fuel for an action-packed week of cliff-top walking and crinkle bagging. See our postcard from Cornwall.

Ali

Walk the Coast

As you’d expect, much of our week in Cornwall involved walking on the spectacular coast path. Our hostels at Perranporth and Lizard Point were both perched in amazing cliff-top locations, with the coast path running past the door. Each day at least some of us walked part of the coast, either as part of a circular walk, or using cars or bus to make a linear route. Here’s a summary of the "official" distance covered on the coast path each day (of course Fergus walked further by following every last crinkle of the cliff!)

Sunday: Perranporth to Chapel Porth 7.1 mile

Started in rain, returned in brilliant sunshine! Great views from St.Agnes’ Beacon.

Monday: Newquay to Perranporth 12.6 miles

Only for the most dedicated who braved the bank holiday rain, finishing with a long walk on the beach – the only beach with a pub on the sand.

Tuesday: Treyarnon Bay to Porth 11.5 miles

A long, hot, walk, with great views of Bedruthan Steps.

Wednesday: Porthcurno to Sennen Cove 6.3 miles

Including the Telegraph Museum, and Land’s End!

Thursday: Gunwalloe to Lizard Point 9.6 miles

Possibly the best day, highlights included the colours of the sea at Mullion Cove, the cream tea at Kynance Cove, and taking photos at England’s southernmost point.

Friday: Coverack to Lizard Point 10.4 miles

Contrasting landscapes east of Lizard, picturesque Cadgwith and the Devil’s Frying Pan.

Saturday: Durgan to Rosemullion Head 3 miles

Lovely views of the Helford River, and the chance for a few to take a dip in the sea.

Sunday: Elmscott to Hartland Quay 2 miles

A scenic stroll in North Devon before the long drive home.

Total 62.5 miles: This may sound like a long way, but that’s less than 10% of the full South West Coast Path. From Minehead on the edge of Exmoor to Poole in Dorset the path totals 633 miles and involves climbs totalling 27,000 metres – more than three ascents of Mount Everest. Another 9 trips and we can finish it!

Dave P.

See also Jim's photos and Dave's photos of our week in Cornwall

Upset at the Chelmsford Open

CYHA has a new Pitch and Putt champion. Six of us teed off on Wedneday evening to play nine holes of Pitch and Putt, and after lots of slicing, hooking, bunker-shots and putting, the scores were added up. I got the wooden spoon with 65 shots, most people scored in the mid 50s, and the winner was Lily at 13 shots ahead of the next person with 39.

Jim

Margery Millers Maid Walk

Amid forecasts of torrential rain, we set out with some trepidation on this 12 mile walk from Chappel in the Colne Valley. We needn’t have worried: sun hats and sun cream were the order of the day. It was a fabulous walk, notable not only for the beautiful views, but the lack of civilization. Great for enjoying the wide open vistas, but by the time we got back to the pub we were absolutely gasping! Thank you to Dave & Helen for expertly navigating us around a great day out.

Ali