Mute Swans

Saturday, 21st March 2015 (Day 6, week 11)

Hello

What a glorious day again.

I seem to have recovered from yesterday’s tumble so we took a walk into Helston to sort a few things out and then, after a cup of tea, walked back again in time for the last day of the 6 nations rugby.

Enjoy reading

Rickety

Target: 1000 miles in one year (20 miles a week)

Achieved so far: 241.9 miles (target 220 miles)

Achieved this week: 18.2 miles

Porthleven to Helston via Penrose Estate and return (7 miles)

We take our usual route to the Penrose Estate, heading for the far side of the lake and the path into Helston. On the calm water are Pochard and Great Crested Grebe and along the path we catch sight of a Grey Wagtail. Otherwise birdlife is difficult to spot, as the pathway is busy with people out enjoying the weather.

The daffodils and primroses continue to bloom all along the route and there is the promise of bluebells to come in the woodland.

We reach Helston and cross the road to walk alongside the lake admiring the lovely Golden Weeping Willow on the island in the middle.

There are Tufted Ducks, Swans, a Cormorant and Mallards on the lake. The mallards are frisky and searching for partners and we watch as one poor female is mobbed by several males, eventually making her way to land to take a break from the frenzy.

Having completed our errands in Helston we walk back down to the lake and sit outside the cafe with coffee and teacakes watching the action. Most of the swans are out of the water now, preening and hoping for food. These are Mute Swans but there is one Whooper which arrived in the Winter and has stayed around.

Soon we’re back on the Penrose Estate path heading for Porthleven, passing the Penrose Estate House and the ‘mock’ Roman Bath House which is sited a few hundred yards away from the main house. It was the owner of the house, a Lt. Cdr Rogers who gave Loe Pool and the surrounding land as far away as Gunwalloe Church Cove to the National Trust in 1974. His one request was that Loe Pool should be kept for the people to enjoy, ‘without distraction’. Isn’t that lovely?