portscatho to falmouth

October 02, 2022 by Mark Seymour in south west coast path

SOUTH WEST COAST PATH

sunday, 25TH SEPTEMBER 2022

The weather forecast for today looks to be pretty good so it’s time to get cracking.

Falmouth high tide 05:53

Falmouth low tide 12:18

It’s a relatively late start for us as it’s a Sunday and the King Harry Ferry doesn’t start until 09:00. We catch the first ferry which is a relatively expensive £7 single and then head to the car park above Portscatho at Gerrans. I amble down through the village, passing the Plume of Feathers.

I head down to the beach and enjoy the early morning sun.

My grandfather used to love swimming in the sea here. One day he found a great big slab of wood on the beach here and took it back to my grandparents home in Offwell, Devon. We used to use the slab of wood as a cricket wicket whenever we visited so it became known as the Portscatho Wicket.

portscatho

I leave the beach and wander around Portscatho, passing the tiny harbour, and then say goodbye to the village. It’s been seven years since I was last here and who knows how long it will be until I’m next here.

I amble along the gentle cliffs, enjoying the late season wild flowers. It is surprisingly hot and a lot warmer than I was expecting.

I’m ambling along quietly and suddenly here a familiar call. Several choughs fly over me. I can’t make out their red beaks but their call is unmistakeable. I’ve never seen choughs this far west before so they must be doing very well.

choughs

I spot a wall brown butterfly and manage to take a bad photograph. There are also clouded yellow butterflies flying around but they are much more difficult to photograph.

I continue ambling and say hello to several dog walkers while enjoying the wildflowers.

I continue towards Towan Beach where I come across a raggedy speckled wood butterfly.

I reach Towan Beach where I enjoy the sandy beach along with several dog walkers.

towan beach

On leaving Towan Beach I come across the remains of a wreck post, erected by the coastguard service and used to simulate a ship's mast in training exercises. It was still complete the last time I was here but all that’s left now is a stump. I wonder what happened to it?

It is a pleasant surprise to see another group of choughs fly over me.

I round Killigerran Head and Porthmellin Head.

I continue along the path above Porthbeor Beach. I thought that Porthbeor Beach was supposed to be inaccessible but, tantalisingly, I think I can make out footprints in the sand.

porthbeor beach

The mystery is solved as further along the path I spot people leaving the beach and climbing aboard a boat.

I now have some lovely views over to Falmouth.

I’m now at St Anthony Head and walk through St Anthony Meadow where I come across Shetland ponies grazing on the vegetation.

I round Zone Point and pass the 19th century battery on St Anthony Head and then head down towards St Anthony's lighthouse, built in 1835.

19th century battery

I follow signs behind the lighthouse before getting an actual glimpse of the lighthouse further on.

After leaving the lighthouse I have magnificent views over to St Mawes and Falmouth in the distance.

I head through woods to reach some beehives where the bees are very active.

I pass through the churchyard of St Anthony's Church and then pass the rather modest Place House.

I’ve now reached the Place Ferry. I glance at my phone and it’s 12:14. There’s supposed to be a ferry at 12:15. I’m bang on low tide and there’s no sign of a ferry so maybe it’s not running for a while.

Suddenly people start to ascend Toddy's Steps in front of me. Once they are past I descend the steps and notice the ferry further along the beach. The ferry is just about to leave but the ferryman calls out to me so I slither along the slippery beach and board the ferry, just in time.

The ferry takes me over to St Mawes and it has moved with the times and I’m able to buy a combined ticket to St Mawes and then on to Falmouth for £13.50 using a contactless machine. It's a thoroughly pleasant 5 minute trip.

I leave the ferry and then wait for the connecting ferry to take me back to Falmouth.

st mawes

I catch the 12:45 ferry and it's now a pleasant 15 minutes or so journey to my destination for the day, Prince of Wales Pier in Falmouth.

approaching falmouth

It's now a short walk up through the busy streets of Falmouth to return to our cottage, Bussillion, for the week, overlooking Falmouth harbour.

My knees and ankles have been playing up all year, although they’ve been OK on the short walks this week, so it might be time to think about hanging up the walking boots. If so this is a fitting end as I started walking the south west coast path in Falmouth seventeen years ago. It has been a great few years.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Flora and fauna encountered on the walk today includes :-

oystercatchers
red campion
mouse-ear hawkweed
common knapweed
blackberries
common toadflax
burdock
ragwort
CHOUGHS!
wild carrot
ribwort plantain
wall brown butterfly
speckled wood butterfly
clouded yellow butterflies
fleabane
great mullein
shetland ponies
bees

PODCAST

The podcast of today's walk is now available. You can subscribe via Apple Podcasts or listen using the player below.

MARKS OUT OF TEN?

According to my phone I've walked 7.7 miles and, including the ferries, covered a distance of 10.2 miles, which amounts to 18174 steps. It has taken me three and a half hours.

Sun, sea, sand, choughs and ferries. Ten out of ten!

WALK DETAILS

MAP

falmouth to helford passage and back to mawnan

September 19, 2021 by Mark Seymour in south west coast path

SOUTH WEST COAST PATH

wednesday, 15th september 2021

It looks like I'm in for another day of beautiful weather.

Falmouth high tide 12:44

Falmouth low tide 06:23 and 19:12

I start the day at our holiday cottage in the heart of Falmouth. It is early morning and the sun is very low in the sky.

I descend down some steps and a path to reach Killigrew Street and then amble my way through Falmouth which seems to have made its way through a global pandemic largely unscathed.

I make my way to Discovery Quay next door to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall (@TheNMMC).

“Falmouth - From the Tudor period to the end of last century, Falmouth saw more shipping than any port in the country except London. In 1815, about 350 ships were counted in Carrick Roads on one day. In 1872, 3945 ships entered Falmouth bound to or from foreign ports, and as many again handled coastal trade.
Boat trips, river cruises, shark fishing, sea-angling trips from harbour, lifeboat, two theatres, cinema, summer shows in Pavilion, water galas, water-polo matches in summer, bowls, golf, cricket, tennis, pitch-and-putt, sailing regattas (Aug), fishing festival (July), sailing clubs, power-boat racing, go-karts, maritime museum, art gallery, air-bottle recharging, sailing school, concert hall, ballroom dancing. P.”

— AA Book of the Seaside, 1972

I walk through Maritime Square and head out towards the coast path. I climb out of Falmouth and head down Gyllyngvase Terrace and then Gyllyngvase Hill and then walk briefly along Cliff Road to reach the delightful Gyllyngvase Beach on the outskirts of Falmouth. There are plenty of people out for their morning swim.

“Gyllngvase Beach - Gently sloping beach of clean white sand between reefs of rock pools, with safe swimming. Falmouth’s busiest beach as it is near the town. Bathing huts, chalets, floats, deck-chairs, wind-breaks for hire, trampolines, paddling-pool, miniature railway, rescue boat. P.”

— AA Book of the Seaside, 1972

gyllyngvase beach

I amble along the sandy beach passing the Gylly Beach Cafe (@GyllyBeachCafe) before rejoining the coast path for the short walk to Swanpool Beach (@SwanpoolBeach) where I catch my first red admiral butterfly of the day.

“Swanpool Beach - Wide, sandy beach with safe swimming from white sand between rocky reefs studded with pools. Boating on a reed-rimmed pond behind the beach. Chalets, floats, deck-chairs, wind-breaks and boats for hire, trampolines, minature railway, rescue boat. P.”

— AA Book of the Seaside, 1972

swanpool beach

The beach is covered in seaweed and, again, there are a lot of people out for their morning swim. I slither my way across the vegetation and then leave Swanpool Beach next to the Hooked on the Rocks restaurant.

It's now a pleasant couple of miles walk to the third beach of the day, Maenporth Beach, on the way passing a memorial to the Home Guard.

Even this late in the season the wildflowers are looking lovely and I come across more red admirals which will prove to be a regular occurrence today.

A large container ship is out at sea slowly trying to turn around 180 degrees.

I drop down to the beach passing by Life's a Beach, the beach cafe here and walk out on to the sandy beach where there are more people taking a morning swim and quite a few people out in canoes.

“Maenporth - Popular sandy cove, sheltered from all but direct east winds with safe swimming. Half the beach is privately owned. Boats for hire on the natural lagoon behind the beach. Floats, deck-chairs, wind-breaks for hire; life-saving club. P.”

— AA Book of the Seaside, 1972

maenporth

I continue along the coast path and walk below the sub tropical gardens of Meudon Hotel (@MeudonHotel) where gardeners are out mowing the lawns. I briefly drop down to the beach here.

I head out across Rosemullion Head and then enter woods below the village of Mawnan Smith at Mawnan Glebe.

“Mawnan - Clifftop hamlet, sheltered by high woods, with a 13th-century church set in ancient earthworks. Close to the lychgate on the left of the path leading to the north door is a small, ancient headstone with a faintly discernible skull and cross-bones, perhaps the grave of a pirate who met with a grisly death. From the south door there are memorable views, with glimpses of the blue water of the river amid the lush green and gold of the surrounding woods and farmland.”

— AA Book of the Seaside, 1972

I leave the woods and suddenly I have magnificent views out over the Helford River.

I walk down a grassy slope to reach the beach at Porthallack where the weather is so calm that the water is just gently whispering.

porthallack

It is a short walk to Porth Saxon beach where I enjoy the views down the river. If anything, the sea/river is even quieter than the previous beach. The beach is relatively packed with eleven people on it including myself as well as five dogs. I usually have this beach to myself.

porth saxon

I walk under a group of scots pines and then head below Bosloe House along a path through Bosloe Hay Meadows. I usually pass this way around about June time when the meadows look fantastic. They are a lot more subdued at this time of year after they have been cut.

bosloe

The coast path joins a road which leads down into the village of Durgan where I pass the Old School House. I enjoy what little is left of the beach below Durgan before heading out through the village.

“Durgan - Hamlet of white cottages around a shingle beach; no parking. At the top of the lane are Glendurgan Gardens, owned by the National Trust, with a maze; open Mon and Wed, Apr to Sept, plus Fri in Apr and May.”

— AA Book of the Seaside, 1972

durgan

The coast path seems to have been re-routed behind Durgan and heads up a shady path inland before seeming to cross the grounds of Trebah before dumping me out on a road which leads down to Helford Passage. This can’t be right. The ferry has just arrived from over the river with a surprising number of people aboard.

helford passage

“Helford Passage - Sand-and-shingle beach, suitable for swimming and boating at all states of the tide, overlooked by an inn and holiday flats. The ferry to Helford, which runs during the summer, has been in operation since the mid-16th century. Boat trips on the river. Ideal spot for making a trip in a self-drive boat to secluded Frenchman’s Creek, which is surrounded by woods. Sailing/rowing/motorboats for hire. P.”

— AA Book of the Seaside, 1972

Should you wish, you can catch the ferry from here over to the village of Helford, which I've used on previous walks but not today. I walk below the Ferryboat Inn before following a more familiar coast path sign which ambles along the river before entering woods.

It turns out that on the way to Helford Passage I missed a great big coast path sign pointing back out to the river. Even so, it’s not my familiar route and I don’t know why the coast path has been diverted.

I head back below Trebah Garden and pass behind the private beach here.

I walk back through Durgan and head above Grebe Beach. The beach is not signposted from the coast path so it’s usually quiet here.

I pass back through Bosloe Hay Meadow and then Porth Saxon and Porthallack.

From here I follow a path that heads uphill towards Mawnan Old Church where my lift has, with magnificent timing, just arrived.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Flora and fauna encountered on the walk today includes :-

speckle wood butterflies
red admiral butterflies
buddleia
small tortoiseshell butterfly
small copper butterflies
wrens
robins
chaffinches
chiffchaffs
common knapweed
red campion
honeysuckle
sloes
fleabane
hemp agrimony
scots pines
clover
ribwort plantain
yarrow

PODCAST

The podcast of today's walk is now available. You can subscribe via Apple Podcasts or listen using the player below.

MARKS OUT OF TEN?

According to my phone I've walked 10.8 miles which amounts to 25398 steps. It has taken me four and three quarter hours. I’ve had glorious weather all day long and the temperature has been a lot higher than forecast so I’m extremely sweaty again. Ten out of ten!

WALK DETAILS

Well bugger me! All of my tracking apps have worked for me again today for a second day running. The elevation maps below actually vaguely resemble each other.

MAP

falmouth to st mawes, st just in roseland and back again

October 07, 2019 by Mark Seymour in fal estuary

falmouth

wednesday, 2nd october 2019

It has been a filthy week of weather with lots of rain and strong winds but the weather forecast for today looks much better and I should have some sun, no rain and light winds. Normal weather will resume tomorrow!

Falmouth high tide 08:27

Falmouth low tide 15:05

I start the day at Custom House Quay in Falmouth where I purchase my return ticket for the ferry to St Mawes and back at the ticket office. The ticket costs me £10.

I board the 09:45 ferry which chugs it’s way over to St Mawes. The journey takes about 20 minutes.

I disembark the ferry at the quay at St Mawes. The quay dates from mediaeval times. The first record of it is from 1539 and there are many records of repairs during the 17th Century. It was also rebuilt at least twice during Victorian times.

I amble around the quay and continue along the road past the quay towards the Idle Rocks Hotel to reach a junction beside the Rising Sun pub.

I keep right at the junction to follow the road behind the Idle Rocks Hotel and wander along the pavement, following this until Summers Beach where I walk down the ramp leading to the beach. I’ll return to this beach later on in the day when the tide is further out.

I rejoin the road and follow it around a long bend until I pass the driveway to Polvarth and reach Polvarth Lane.

I turn right down Polvarth Lane and follow it towards the Polvarth Boatyard where I reach a footpath signpost on the left.

Polvarth Quay was built by the American troops during the Second World War in preparation for the D Day landings.

I follow the signpost and turn left and go up the steps signposted to Porthcuel Creek and follow the path until it eventually emerges on a driveway, enjoying the late wild flowers.

I turn right into the driveway and follow it towards a boatyard and then turn left down the waymarked path and follow it until it emerges into a field.

I amble across the field to a rather fallen down waymark in front of some bushes.

I follow the path through the bushes to reach another waymark and follow the path downhill along a metal railing. At the bottom I follow the path above the creek and continue until I reach a fork in the path, just before a gate marked ‘PRIVATE’. I continue along the left hand fork and follow the path uphill to emerge into a field. It’s beginning to get rather muddy after all the heavy rain we’ve had.

I climb some steps and follow the path to reach a footbridge over a stream.

I cross a bridge and climb up some steps before reaching a waymarked kissing gate.

I go through the gate and turn left onto a track and follow it through a gate and continue to reach a junction of tracks at a farm and next to Quayhouse Bosloggas.

I follow the track until it ends at a road. The settlement here is called Nanshuttal and was first recorded in 1327.

I cross the road and turn right to follow along the verge past a water tower covered in ariels. Back behind me the road leads back to St Mawes.

I reach a track on the left with a stile marked with a National Trust sign for Tregear Vean.

I clamber over the stile and the path follows along hedges through fields full of cows and over stiles and through gateways. I have lovely views over the Carrick Roads area of the estuary which is roughly a mile across.

I can see Mylor Creek over the other side of the estuary full of yachts and a bit futher up, Restronguet Creek. I visited these creeks four years ago.

I come across a small copper butterfly feeding on Cat’s-ear and also see several red admiral and speckled wood butterflies.

I have magnificent views back over to Falmouth.

If I had done this walk in January 1992, a shocking orange plume of pollution would have been visible, stretching down Carrick Roads after the pumps at Wheal Jane were finally switched off in 1991.

After ambling along uneventfully for some time I cross a stile next to a gate and cross a driveway to a waymark where I climb down steps and turn right at a waymark to follow the path which takes me to the car park at St Just in Roseland next to the church.

I immediately turn left through the churchyard gate and follow a concrete path through the churchyard to the church. I walk around the church to the side facing the creek.

St Just In Roseland Church is based on a 13th century building that was remodelled in the 14th and 15th centuries and then reworked fairly heavily in a 19th century restoration.

I follow the creekside path to reach a pedestrian gate and I then follow the path along the edge of the creek until it emerges on a concrete ramp beside Pasco’s Boatyard.

I walk along the front of the boatyard and then along a track up a hill.

I follow the track ahead, signposted to St Mawes and reach a gate on the left, marked with a National Trust Churchtown Farm sign.

It is now an uneventful walk along extremely muddy fields passing over stiles and through hedges and gates on my way back to St Mawes. There are a series of gates on my right that take me down to the shingle beach.

I eventually reach a pedestrian gate which I go through and then follow the lane to reach St Mawes Castle.

St Mawes Castle is part of the chain of coastal defences built during the reign of King Henry VIII to protect against an invasion threat from Catholic France and Spain after establishing the Church of England.

I pass the castle entrance and follow a path to emerge onto Lower Castle Road which I follow down into St Mawes. I pass Tavern Beach on the way down which has a lone seal pup on it.

I continue along Lower Castle Road to arrive back at the quay in the heart of St Mawes.

The 13:15 ferry is about to leave for Falmouth but I have one last bit of business to attend to. I still have time to catch the 13:45 or 14:15 ferry before the low tide disrupts the ferry service for an hour or so, so I head back through St Mawes to Summers Beach.

The following photo was taken in something like 1974 or so.

I’ve just got time to attempt to re-enact the photo in the here and now and I reckon I’ve done a pretty good job especially considering that I couldn’t see a thing on the camera screen.

I head back to the quay and just about manage to catch the 13:45 ferry back to Falmouth where I disembark on the Prince of Wales Pier.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Flora and fauna encountered on the walk today includes :-

hemp agrimony
fuchsias
ceanothus
hogweed
buddleia
blackberries
red campion
ivy
hydrangeas
crocosmia
cranesbill
small copper butterflies
red admirals
speckled woods
knapweed
oystercatchers
robins

PODCAST

The podcast of today's walk is now available. You can subscribe via the iTunes store or listen using the player below.

MARKS OUT OF TEN?

According to my phone I've walked 8.8 miles today which amounts to 20061 steps. The walking has been lovely today if a little muddy and the weather surprisingly good for such a filthy week. Nine out of ten!

The total ascent today has been 599 feet or 182 metres.

MAP

flushing to flushing, a circular walk

October 11, 2015 by Mark Seymour in fal estuary

fal estuary

wednesday, 30th september 2015

I have a fifth day of beautiful weather ahead of me today but it might be a bit on the blustery side.

Falmouth low tide 14:10

Falmouth high tide 19:49

My plan is to catch the ferry over to Flushing from Falmouth. On arriving on Prince of Wales pier it seems that the ferry is on a long lunch break and then, due to low tides, won't be running for another hour and a half after that. Which means that the next ferry isn't until 15:15. Bugger!

Flustered but undeterred I head off on the long walk around the estuary instead, to get to Flushing. I head out of Falmouth along the estuary and through the town of Penryn which is just outside of Falmouth.

I pass the parish church of St Gluvias with Penryn and then head back down the other side of the estuary.

I have lovely views out across the estuary and all of its boats.

I pass the Falmouth Boat Company boat yard and I'm finally at my starting point for today's walk, Flushing. It must have been something like a four mile detour.

I pass the Royal Standard and The Seven Stars pubs and arrive at the quayside where I'll catch the ferry back to Falmouth later on today. That's assuming they aren't on an extended long lunch break!

I continue along Trefusis Road and pass large houses looking over towards Falmouth.

I walk along the coast road and enter Kilnquay Woods, part of the estate of the former manor, Trefusis House. Pneumatic drills are making an awful racket and seem to be being used to renovate a house.

I drop down onto the beach where copper was mined for a short while but extracting the copper proved to be economically unviable. I continue around Trefusis Point, clambering over the rocks until I can't get round any further when I have to retrace my steps slightly to find a whole in the hedge to clamber back on to the low cliff.

I continue along a footpath through open ground. Many buzzards are enjoying the thermals over the woods slightly inland.

I round Penarrow Point and reach Restronguet Sailing Club and suddenly there are yachts everywhere. It's blowing a gale making all the yachts and flags rattle in the wind.

Next up is Mylor Yacht Club and there are even more yachts.

I briefly visit St Mylor Church next door to the yacht club, a Norman church built in the 12th century.

I follow the road out of Mylor Churchtown and turn down a footpath opposite the upper entrance to the church. I now have views out across Mylor Creek.

I walk along the road with houses either side of me to reach Trelew Creek where I come across some curlews. A signpost points me to the left and I head along the path through woods.

It doesn't feel like the right path but I continue anyway and the path ascends through the woods past sweet chestnuts and finally joins up with the main road.

I turn left at the main road and head straight across at the crossroads to re-enter Trefusis Estate. A signpost points me right into a field where a tractor is flailing the hedgerows and is making an almighty racket.

I head through fields and to the right of a row of houses and I'm now back in Flushing. A short walk takes me back past the Royal Standard and The Seven Stars and I'm now back at the quay where I can catch the ferry back to Falmouth.

I catch the 17:00 ferry back to Falmouth and it's an uneventful 10 minutes journey but then all hell breaks loose!

My fellow passenger on the ferry has two dogs with her and as she alights from the ferry one of the dogs falls into the harbour water and slips from his lead. The ferrymen try to manoeuvre the ferry so that it doesn't crush the dog against the harbour wall, allowing the dog to swim back to the steps. Fortunately, the dog is reunited with his owner and is none the worse for his misadventures.

I alight the ferry and climb up the steps onto Prince of Wales Pier.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Flora and fauna encountered on the walk today includes :-

buzzards
cows
curlews
robins
sweet chestnuts

PODCAST

The podcast of today's walk is now available. You can subscribe via the iTunes store or listen using the player below.

MARKS OUT OF TEN?

According to my phone I've walked 5.95 miles this afternoon (which excludes the diversion from Falmouth) which amounts to 11181 steps. It has been a nice diversion from the usual coast path walking even if the scenery hasn't been up to the usual magnificence and it hasn't exactly been a peaceful walk. Seven out of ten!

falmouth to helford passage and back again

October 04, 2015 by Mark Seymour in south west coast path

south west coast path

thursday, 1st october 2015

It's the last walking day of the week and I'm in for another day of beautiful weather. It's hard to believe that it's the first day of October.

Falmouth high tide 08:12

Falmouth low tide 14:50

I start the day next door to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall (@TheNMMC) at Discovery Quay in Falmouth. I'm making an early-ish start so the morning has a distinctive autumnal feel.

“The sea has never been friendly to man. At most it has been the accomplice of human restlessness.”

— Joseph Conrad, novelist 1857-1924

This restless man is itching to get going so I walk through Maritime Square and head out towards the coast path. I climb out of Falmouth and head down Gyllyngvase Terrace and then Gyllyngvase Hill and then walk briefly along Cliff Road to reach the delightful Gyllyngvase Beach on the outskirts of Falmouth.

I catch the beach at close to high tide but it's nothing like the high tides we get back at home in Clevedon. Also, the sea is not a muddy brown colour so I know which one I'd take!

I amble along the sandy beach passing the Gylly Beach Cafe (@GyllyBeachCafe) before rejoining the coast path for the short walk to Swanpool Beach (@SwanpoolBeach).

The beach is covered in seaweed and there are a couple of people out amongst the seaweed, collecting it. I slither my way across the vegetation and then leave Swanpool Beach next to the Hooked on the Rocks restaurant.

It's now a pleasant couple of miles walk to the third beach of the day, Maenporth Beach, on the way passing a memorial to the Home Guard. I drop down to the beach passing by Life's a Beach, the beach cafe here and walk out on to the sandy beach.

Maenporth Beach seems to be a bit more exposed to the wind than the previous two beaches and it's quite windy. The position of the sun doesn't make it easy for taking photographs either.

I continue along the coast path and walk below the sub tropical gardens of Meudon Hotel (@MeudonHotel).

I head out across Rosemullion Head and then enter woods below the village of Mawnan Smith.

I leave the woods and suddenly I have magnificent views out towards the Helford River. I walk down a grassy slope to reach the beach at Porthallack. Out over the river there are loads of swallows flitting about. It must be almost time for them to head back to southern Africa.

It is a short walk to Porth Saxon beach where I enjoy the views down the river.

The coast path joins a road which leads down into the village of Durgan where I pass the Old School House. I enjoy the beach below Durgan before heading out through the village.

From here it is easy walking to reach my destination for the day, Helford Passage where I spend way too long wandering along the beach collecting shells.

Should you wish, you can catch the ferry from here over to the village of Helford, which I've used on previous walks but not today. I munch on a sandwich below the Ferryboat Inn before it's time to head back in the direction I've come.

I head back below Trebah Garden and pass behind the private beach here using some stepping stones. I spot a dog on the beach down below.

Back again on Durgan Beach a friendly pied wagtail checks me out. I walk back through Durgan and divert from the coast path along a path which takes me down to an unmarked beach on my Ordnance Survey map, but known as Grebe Beach. The beach is not even signposted from the coast path so it's always quiet here.

As per usual, there is just a handful of locals here, most of them enjoying a swim in the river.

On the way back I enjoy the wildflowers but also come across a patch of the dreaded japanese knotweed.

I pass by Maenporth Beach for the last time this week and the tide is much further out than it was earlier on this morning. Conditions are also much easier for photography.

I say one last farewell to Swanpool Beach which is much busier than earlier and pass a group of kids having a kayaking lesson below the brightly coloured beach huts.

I reach Gyllyngvase Beach again and it's time for one final beach farewell. I amble slowly along the beach watching a man cast rose petals across the beach. I've no idea why he's doing this.

You can tell it's the 1st of October and the dog ban has been lifted today as there are dogs everywhere enjoying the beach and the weather. Don't blame them!

I head back through the gardens of the Princess Pavillion where I come across a raggedy painted lady feeding on verbena. What a lovely way to end the walk.

I head back into Falmouth and reach my destination for the day, Discovery Quay, again.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Flora and fauna encountered on the walk today includes :-

red campion
blackberries
bracken
seaweed
grasshoppers
hydrangeas
fuchsias
gunnera
agapanthus
scots pines
speckled woods
a small tortoiseshell
robins
swallows
red admirals
pied wagtails
a painted lady
a dog on a beach
lots of dogs on beaches
verbena bonariensis

PODCAST

The podcast of today's walk is now available. You can subscribe via the iTunes store or listen using the player below.

MARKS OUT OF TEN?

According to my phone I've walked 16.26 miles today which amounts to 34658 steps. It has been another beautiful day's walking and the weather has been glorious again. Unfortunately, that's the last walking of the week. Nine out of ten!