Newquay to Perranporth - SWCP Walk

 

Crossing the Gannel Estuary

Really looking forward to the walk today on the SWCP. I've had to wait for low tide in order to cross the Gannel Estuary. The estuary separates Newquay from the village of Crantock. This is when miles of sand are exposed. During the Summer months a Ferry service operates, this is not an option in mid September. The plane was to leave from the Fern Pit Cafe, a popular starting point where you would normally catch the ferry. Walking down the steep path it turns out that the gate is padlocked as of yesterday. ...Closing off that particular option. There are other options though. Walking along Riverside Avenue into Penmere Drive another path descends to the Gannel. A footbridge can be used 3-4 hours either side of low water. It wasn't needed for long as the water soon turns turns to sand firm enough to walk on. 

What started out as a misty grey day improves over on the Crantock side as the cloud starts to lift. The route I have taken is the official route of the SWCP (Penpol Crossing) so that's not a bad thing. Crantock is a vast expanse of golden sand backed by sand dunes, and another good surfing beach. The narrow footpath winds through the hedgerows where Stonechats are perched. Crantock Beach merges into an area called West Pentire. A small hamlet that is a designated plant area for Marigolds and Poppies especially. The Stonechats are even more evident in the fields. Passing Pentire Point West I am heading towards Polly Joke Beach.  

At Polly Joke

'Polly Joke' is officially called 'Porth Joke'. Originally the bay was called ‘Pol Lejouack,’ meaning ‘Jackdaw Cove’ supposedly sounding a little like “Polly Joke.”. This small but beautiful north-west facing cove is a well hidden gem with its sandy beach,  turquoise sea, and craggy cliff-faces.

 

Kelsey Head

 

Between 'Polly Joke' and Holywell Bay lies 'Kelsey Head'. It is a good area for Seal spotting. There is a lovely small cove that is perfect as the public can't access it. A Warden is keeping watch as a Seal Pup around three weeks old is being tended to by the mother. A large male has made its way onto the sand too. Unfortunately the youngster is just around the corner and out of shot. In the sea there are several Seal heads bobbing about which is great to see. Moving round a bit further there are four more Seals bathing on a large rock out in the sea. There is also a family of Choughs flying around he headland as Holywell Bay comes into view.    

A Cornish Chough

I had only previously seen Choughs around Trevose Head in Cornwall. The are considered as quite rare, although numbers are recovering through conservation work. Previously they were thought to have died out in 1973. As the only crow with a red bill and red legs, the all-black Chough is easy to identify. The Chough is the symbol of Cornwall - it is on the Coat of Arms and, according to legend, King Arthur turned into a Chough on his death. Lets hope that they continue to prosper and become a common site on the cliffs of Cornwall again.   

 

To be continued