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As walking weekends go, this one organised by
Geoff Eddy could not have been better. We enjoyed three excellent
linear walks along the South West Coast Path, and it didn't rain
until we were on our way home!
 Caroline
and I drove down earlier in the week so we could visit the Isles
of Scilly. The 20-minute helicopter ride took us to the largest
island, St Mary's. From the airport we walked around the southern
part of the island taking in Hugh Town, the Garrison, and the
cemetery where former Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, is buried.
On our return we left the car at Penzance Heliport and walked
into town, where we met Hilary and Geoff in the Dolphin Arms,
shortly after England had secured victory in their second game
in the group phase of the World Cup. Geoff's flexible approach
to the weekend allowed us to choose where we wanted to walk. Both
Hilary and Geoff were brought up in the area, so they knew it
intimately. Having arranged to meet on the promenade between Penzance
and Newlyn the following morning, Caroline and I made our way
back to our campsite at Gwithian. Our journey was not without
incident. It took us via Hayle, where we overtook an electric
wheelchair in which was sitting an old lady in her dressing gown!
On her lap was another old lady!
 The
first walk took us from Cape Cornwall to Treen, via Land's End.
We made good progress to our lunch stop at Sennen Cove. However,
prolonged stops both there and a mile further along the coast,
at Land's End, meant the afternoon's walk began at 3pm. After
a short stop to watch a seal swimming in a secluded bay, the 12-mile
walk finally ended close to the theatre at Minack at 6.30pm!
Our second walk started where the previous day's
walk had ended, at Treen. From here we walked back to Penzance,
via Lamorna Cove, Mousehole and Newlyn. We also passed close to
John Le Carre's cliff-top home and the house where Hilary was
born. We also stopped at the monument to the Penlee lifeboat,
the Solomon Browne, which sank attempting a rescue in 1981 killing
all 8 crewmen. The walk was slightly shorter than yesterday's,
at 11 miles, but it was much hotter. The tea room in Mousehole
was most welcome, as was the breeze when we reached Mount Bay.
Our final day's walk began in St Ives. Again
we followed the South West Coast Path, this time ending up 6 miles
away in Zennor. Geoff ensured that we finished shortly after midday
so most of us could get an early lead on the other holidaymakers
leaving for home. Caroline and I had one more night at our campsite
, so we were able to spend time exploring St Ives.
It was an excellent weekend. On behalf of Rhoda,
Mike, Theresa, John and Caroline, thank you Geoff. For those of
you who weren't able to join us, Geoff is intending to lead a
similar weekend in 2008.
Clive
June 2006
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