Coast to Coast

The bike was back in use today as after studying the Mineral Tramways leaflet and watching a recording of Julia Bradbury's 'Railway Walks', Simon decided he wanted to do the Coast to Coast route.

His bike was loaded onto our car so he could be driven over to the start at Point on the south coast ...


After a photo on the slipway at the start of his journey ...

Mike left him and he set off for Devoran with my camera to record the event and where he was informed it was 11 miles to Portreath ...


The Carnon Viaduct soon came into view ...



and then it was the Bissoe Valley ...

before spotting his first engine house of the trip ...

The Arsenic Works at Point Mills ...

Typical scenery of the route ...

The point where the Portreath Tramroad met the Redruth and Chacewater Railway ...


The Poldice Valley ...


Passing the Fox and Hounds pub - he says he didn't stop!

and Rodda's Creamery at Scorrier ...


More directions and the cycle track ...


The Stone at Mawla ...

and Wheal Peevor in the distance ...

He finally arrived back in Portreath where he rode to the end of the harbour and had his photo taken by some cyclists who had just done the short trip from Wheal Rose ...

We went out to take the last photo at the slipway in Portreath where the tide had begun to go out but it was proof of his Coast to Coast trip ...

Apparently next time he's going to go there and back on the bike!

Circular Bike Ride

Simon has brought his bike with him this holiday and so the map came out to try and find a nice circular route which would give him some road work but also some off-road fun.

He left Portreath via Illogan Woods and made for Illogan. Then a bit of road going over to South Tehidy and on to Coombe before following the path through Tehidy Country Park. He passed the golf course, crossed Cot Road and back on a path which led to Feadon Farm and down into Portreath. He was pretty muddy when he returned but had a good ride.

Tide Race and Surfing

The only good thing about the weather for the Tide Race this year was that at least it wasn't raining!

Unfortunately there were no blue skies and sunshine like last year. It was all good fun though for the children ...



and the 'fit' young blokes ...

Jo and Alison, her friend from work, arrived in time to see plenty of digging and surprise surprise we seemed to stay watching the fit ones for most of the afternoon!! We even got Jo to roll up her trousers, have a paddle and generally act like a three year old jumping the waves!


It's them again!





While the Tide Race was happening the family were in the sea enjoying the surf ...






Simon and Cameron having a cuddle on the beach ...

and at the end of the Race who did we photograph? Not the winners but yes - the 'fit' ones!

Evening on the Fal

It was that time of the year again when the MX-5 OC get together on the Lady Elizabeth and go on a trip up the Fal finishing with the firework display which is put on as the finale to Falmouth Week.

We all met at Prince of Wales Pier and boarded the boat ...

While it was still light we had a trip around the harbour ...



the moorings by the Maritime Museum ...



and the docks ...


There were a lot of different craft on the water this year and it's great to just gently cruise around and see the area from a boat.

We were told that this house has been bought by Pierce Brosnan but I don't think he was at home as it was in darkness when we returned later on.

We then set off up the Fal and everyone tucked into their piping hot pasties while listening to the commentary from our Captain. We didn't remember this house from past years so think it's been painted which now makes it stand out ...

We passed the mussel beds and the King Harry Ferry and saw loads of ships laid up ...

The weather had turned pretty damp by now but we all had wet-weather gear with us and so most of us stayed outside. Jo was well wrapped up!

We turned around just above Smugglers Cottage and while heading back we all sang Happy Birthday to the six year old grandson of a member - he was very shy - and then we all had cake ...

Passing the ships again I noticed what looked like the ultimate fairground experience!

Once back near Falmouth we had some time to spare before the fireworks so we went around the dock area again and it looked so different in the dark ...

Then we glided past all the people who were waiting on the quay ...

and finally stopped as close as we could safely get to the barge which held the fireworks. At ten o'clock the show began and it was great ...


After a big round of applause at the end we made our way back to the Pier and said our goodbyes before walking back to our cars.