Day 9 - Marazion to Porthleven

South West Coast Path (Part 2)

Distance 11 miles
Ascent 1916 ft

A great night at the Doves Meadow Campsite. It remained really hot until a storm broke around 10pm. Thankfully that cooled things down.
I set off at 7am this morning after taking my time breaking camp.
There were showers and claps of thunder overhead for the next few hours. St. Michael’s Mount was barely visible in the mist. The walking was very pleasant. The coastal path meandered across fields and lanes as coastal erosion is a serious problem in this area.
As I passed Cuddwn Point, the terrain became bolder with craggy headlands and long sandy beaches. I passed along stunning coves where they often two or three people swimming.
After 5 or 6 miles, I arrived at the lovely beach at Prara Sands. It was a great place and time to stop for breakfast and a cup of tea.
I walked the beach and rejoined the trail. The ascents and descents were constant. The trail is similar to a long narrow, winding wet green tunnel with head height ferns, fruze bushes and nettles to contend with. Almost at the end of a series of hills, I was stopped by a herd of cattle who had broken out of the field.
There was no room to get past them and the risk of them stampeding off the cliff edge was very real. With the help of another trail walker, we pushed the cattle along the trail until we could find a gate to a field to move the cattle into safety. A crowd built up but nobody actually did anything to help.i never thought that herding cattle was going to be on the agenda. I am used to herding cats and dogs (I mean people) in a previous life. 😬
I arrived in Porthleven to see the end of a pilot cutters race finishing in the harbour. The village was packed with rowing teams.
I am now settled in a campsite and admin completed.Read more