Getting the Minack of Cornwall

Oh Cornwall, you've been hiding your light under a bushel... The Minack Theatre had always been on the 'possibles' list for this trip, but with only 7 days, and a poor forecast for the rest of the trip, I had thought it might be skipped. But I have to say buoyed by Seascapes comments about the place, we decided to take the chance on the 'sunny spells' that were forecast in between the showers.

Needn't have worried. It appears the far south-west created its own micro-climate, and we had wall-to-wall sunshine most of the day.

Minack itself didn't disappoint. A stunning location, and just awe-inspiring in its grandeur, and for the fact it was originally the work of one woman (and a couple of local gardeners). Looking down the coast this was also the Cornwall we'd expected - dramatic cliffs and coves and beaches.

So, after our first(?!) cream tea of the trip, we wandered past Porthcurno Beach (with a wedding taking place on the sand) and onto the South West Coastal Path - the one that near where we're staying is fringed by high hedges most of the way. Here we were afforded sea views for almost the entirety of a short wander out to Logan's Rock, on a wonderfully rough promontory sticking out into the sea.

We then dropped down to wander along the shore, shoes off, feet in the Atlantic, on what turns out to be an unofficial naturist beach. It's cut off from the busier Porthcurno Beach by an outcrop, and needing a steep walk down it affords a level of privacy. Not everyone there was starkers, but a few old men were out for an afternoon promenade, quite the thing indeed.

We pondered swimming, but all those in the water seemed to be in wetsuits (surfers abounded) and the paddling proved the coolness of the waters.

The walk had been quieter than previously during the week, and the sun shining down helped lighten the holiday mood even further. And so we headed up the north coast in search of more. The Levant tin mine (used in Poldark filming) was less impressive than Wheal Coates; but St Ives, away from the car park in the unimpressive outskirts; and off the uninspiring harbour-front, was full of pretty cobbled streets. It's too narrow, however, for the number of cars trying to find their way through (usually SUVs as well) with tiny pavements meaning pedestrians are often a little in the road. One Audi driver would do well to take his blood pressure pills, rather than beeping an elderly gent with a stick being helped down the street by his slghtly less elderly friend.

One thing about St Ives.... I'm not sure how it manages to support quite so many bakeries... It seemed every second shop was selling pasties (okay, I may have indulged....).

Oh, almost forgot. We went to Land's End. Saw it was £5 just to park there. Left.

Last full day tomorrow, and charmed by the south-westerly tip we're planning to have a look at Mousehole, and possibly Penzance, and see if there's more walking there, or back round at Lizard for Choughs, and maybe even pop in by St Mawes as well. And and and.

Too much to do, too little time.

(just glad we got the call yesterday about the 'terrible' weather today meaning a boat trip was cancelled - the Minack just blew us away more than I think even a pod of dolphins could have)