2019-09-03 Millendreath (Looe) to Polperro

Well into my second week of my holiday, I finally got to paddle my Valley Sirona. We were touring Devon and Cornwall, in the campervan, and had worked our way to the end at Sennen Cove, then worked our way along the north coast of Cornwall. We were now beginning to make our way back home via Looe and Bigbury. Despite the great weather there had been a fair swell on the north coast, accompanied by a very strong wind. Consequently the only boating I had managed, up until now, was in my surf Kayak. I was well and truly beaten to a pulp at Sennen Cove and made some good some short runs in Trevone bay. They were short runs due to the number of speed bumps (people) in the water. But finally a day came where the wind dropped and I was able to set off from Millendreath, heading for Looe. The tide was ebbing, not that it was noticeable.

I entered Looe harbour and battled hard against the outgoing tide, which was fairly strong. Just inside the harbour wall there were even some small waves formed, due to the speed of the current here. I happily jumped on and surfed these waves, gaining their assistance, as I ferry guided and eddy hopped my way up the narrow harbour channel. It wasn't for long though as the harbour channel soon opens out into the main harbour in the main part of town. Passing one fishing boat, the fisherman looked at my boat and said something like [in a strong Cornish accent], "that looks a fine capable craft, right proper job". I answered with the obligatory "yarp", smiled and waved as I made my way past. From the water, Looe harbour looks very pretty in the sunshine.

Leaving Looe I decided I may as well head for Polperro. I did a fair bit of rock hopping as I made my way past Hannafoe Beach. This brought back memories of my first ever scuba dive that I did here a long time ago. It was a rubbish dive with the regulator hardly working and me struggling for air. The instructor insisted it was fine. Now, having subsequently learnt to dive properly, with proper equipment, I know the reg was faulty. The instructor was well out of order. I seem to remember being sick into his regulator for good measure. Not a good start and rather surprising I carried on scuba diving.

Passing St Georges Island the wind and tide were against each other and the waves became rather big and sporty. Hmmm.. perhaps I should have called this paddle into the coastguard. But it wasn't long and I was passed the island and things returned to normal. It's a beautiful coastline to paddle along with lots to see. Up on some of the cliffs and bays were some stunning properties, and all the while you can see glimpses of people walking on the Coastal path.

Polperro soon appeared and I went into the slowly drying harbour in search of a pasty. The pasty shop man told me it was quiet now, "It's the end now" he told me. I wondered what he meant at first, the end of Brexit? the world? No the end of summer of course.

Pasty consumed (and very nice too!) and it was back to the boat. I didn't stay long in Polperro, I much preferred the solitude of being on the sea, rather than in the busy touristy streets with people milling about.

Heading back I decided to go around St Georges Island. From the sea it looked like you could sneak under a little bridge to save going around a large rocky outcrop on the south of the island. I paddled up to it, but the state of the tide was too low. There was nothing for it but to head back out and go around. I stopped in the weeds near the Cottage on the island and had a rest and took some pictures (blobs of water on the lens doesn't help).

From here back to Millendreath it was only a short paddle back, so I paddled out and fished for a bit with out any luck. A good job too as my wife had bought some fresh fish from Looe Fish Market (she has no faith in my fishing abilities, I don't understand why!).

A great paddle

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to top