ricketyrambler

Wednesday 18th February 2015 (Day 3, week 7)

Hello All,

Mr RR and I had a good walk today, we thought it was going to be a short stroll and got all grumpy, but it turned out to be 6.5 miles so we were well pleased in the end!

If you’ve already had a read of Monday’s post, you may be interested to know that I’ve added some of Mr RRs illustrations to the post.

Also – this is exciting – you’ll recall that Ms B and I saw a pair of crows having a loud conversation sitting on a drystone wall – well – having checked the RSPB bible (Mr RR and I have now joined) and the internet for sightings, it seems that what we actually saw were a pair of ravens – Mr RR tells me that this is a good spot! So well done us Ms B!

Enjoy todays ramblings.

Thanks for reading

Julie

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Target – 1000 miles in one year. Weekly goal – 20 miles

Total achieved so far – 138.5 miles (target 140)

Achieved this week – 10.6 miles

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Carbis Bay to Clodgy Point via St Ives and return (6.5 miles)

Today we had an errand to run in St Ives and we decided to walk along the South West Coast Path which follows the St Ives Branch line into the town. We were hoping to start our walk along the path at Carrack Gladden, the headland separating Porth Kidney Sands from Carbis Bay, but we were foiled by a lack of parking space and we didn’t have time to walk all the way from Lelant so it was a slightly disappointed pair of ricketyramblers who started the steep descent on foot, down the hill into Carbis Bay.

As we walked down – and down – I tried really hard not to think about walking up – and up – on the way back! You know how I hate those steep hills! The sign post onto the coast path told us that it was a mere 1.5 miles into St Ives – just a flipperty-jibbet of a walk for seasoned ramblers like us! Never mind, the climb up the hill over the bridge crossing the railway line and on upwards, reminded me that I might be glad it was only a short jaunt.

Reaching the top of the hill we could look back at the view across St Ives Bay to Hayle Towans and see Godrevy Point with its lighthouse. The sun was shining and the sand stretched for miles shining golden against the blue-green sea.

The coast path follows the lane between two rows of houses now, posh houses these, overlooking the bay with large landscaped gardens and fancy gates. The weather is taking no notice of the fact that it’s only February; it’s warm walking, dressed as we are for a winter stroll, so we stop to allow Mr RR to remove a layer, resting against a drystone wall lined with miniature daffodils.

 

Reaching the end of the residential lane we round the corner and pass the Hewer’s hut or Baulking House as it is known here. This was the lookout point from which watch was kept for shoals of pilchards in the bay, so that the boats could be directed to the best fishing spot.

As we walk on down over the hill into St Ives itself a robin joins us chirruping happily in the sunshine.

Also enjoying the sunshine, children are building sandcastles on Porthminster Beach, such a strange sight in the middle of February.

We walk on into St Ives and along the sea front. The tide is out and a pair of turnstones wander hopefully along the promenade, careless of the human feet just inches away.

After a quick stop for a cup of tea and a scone, we decide we have time to continue our walk along the coast path and walk up through the pretty cottages heading towards Porthmeor Beach.

On the way through the town we have to pass my most favourite gallery in all of St Ives, The Blue Bramble Gallery on Island Square (bluebramblegallery.co.uk). I’ve rarely managed to leave this little shop without buying something, so we agree that we won’t go in today. But …what is this? Suddenly I find my feet ascending the shiny clean slate steps and before I know it…….I’m in the door and having a conversation about the weather! I’ve no idea how that happened! No matter, we’re in now and so glad.

There are new displays and new artists selling here – in particular the wonderful work of Gwen Vaughan – (gwenvaughan.co.uk) – must be mentioned. Gwen works in a black clay with washes of coloured slip and her work is delightful. We are very impressed – most especially Mr RR, who, being a ceramicist himself is not so easily impressed – and sorely tempted to buy but manage to steel ourselves away with promises to return another day. If you get the chance you must visit but beware – something magic happens when you step inside!

We hurry on along the coast path, eager now to see how far we can get before we have to turn back. As we leave the town behind the landscape changes and we enter a world of large rock formations and scrubland.

We manage to get to Clodgy Point before, reluctantly we agree that we have to turn back – I have an appointment with my physio who is trying his best to help me back to my pre-rickety state.

Before we leave though we stand and watch as hundreds of gannets circle above the waves. Every now and then a group of them will plummet into the sea in a synchronized diving display, it’s fascinating to watch. Also just below us in the sea, a seal is enjoying the sunshine and a trio of cormorants float on the choppy waves.  Mr RR is very pleased that I made him bring the binoculars!

Back in St Ives the surfers are now out in force on Porthmeor Beach and the town itself has become very busy with visitors enjoying the half term sunshine. Up over the steep hill out of town, not stopping too often to catch my breath and along the track to the railway bridge. Down over the hill to Carbis Bay and then that steep, steep hill back to the car, two ponies being escorted up ahead seem to be making light work of the climb – I would pay real money for a ride!

Associated artwork for Ricketyrambler by Andrew Major:

www.andrewmajorart.co.uk

www.artistsandillustrators.co.uk/Andrew-Major

 

I’m Currently reading:

Wanderlust: A History of Walking by Rebecca Solnit