ROSELAND RAMBLES 2..

Almost as an antidote to the recent mayhem at home, my mind - ever seeking solace and consolation - has once more turned to the Roseland and in this second of the series I recall the walk we had back in June starting and finishing at the National Trust car park at Porth Farm (Point 3 on the map.)   I`ll do it using some of the pictures I took on the walk. (Click on them for larger images.)


First stop - Towan Beach, seen here from the climb up to Kilgerran Head. There`s something in the air here; as you climb it becomes fresher, more invigorating, almost as if it`s deep cleaning all the oppressive south-east grime and nonsense from your lungs. And here too, there`s just the sound of the breeze, the sea birds and the caress of the waves introducing themselves to the shore.  It`s a good start.

And rounding the headland at Porthmellin you look down on Porthbeor Beach, inaccessible now following last winter`s storms, although it was pretty difficult to get down there anyway as the only access was via a flight of 100 or so very steep steps.   Mind you, going down was one thing, coming back up was something else.....

Thankfully, there is a welcome seat on the coast path at the top of the climb up from Porthbeor and it`s here that you leave the coast path and head up the field, onto the road and turn left into the hamlet of Bohortha. It`s hard to think of a more captivating place - just a handful of cottages, some with thatched roofs, all with gardens bright with summer flowers and the inevitable Valerian in all its shades, defying gravity by growing out of nooks and crannies in garden walls.   The hamlet was originally known as "St. Anthony" village but became known as Bohortha after one of the farmsteads, Bohurrow Farm, that existed there.  Once it even had an alehouse - "The Pig and Whistle" - some centuries ago and The Old School House was the primary school for children in and around St. Anthony`s Head until the early 20th century.  

The footpath from Bohortha then drops down to Place Quay, where the ferry from St. Mawes plies its trade and connects up again with the south west coast path. But our walk takes us the other way, through Drawler Plantation with its enchanting views across the Percuil River to St. Mawes. This wooded section, away from the south west coast path, is quiet, utterly peaceful and with a surprise around every corner - we came across a remote shack which seemed to have its own little beach and although we felt we might be intruding, we couldn`t resist resting awhile, soaking up the tranquillity of seriously being away from it all.  Time stood still.

And the final section took us along the edge of Porth Creek and Froe
Creek and so back  to the car park.  I suppose it must have been about four miles and the guide books say it should take about two hours.  But we like to take our time, stop and take in the scenery and, as this ramble of mine has demonstrated, allow the landscape to imprint itself on your memory.  And those memories provide a haven of refuge  from an increasingly frantic and disturbing world.  I`m already looking forward to getting back there later in the year.