Wednesday 14 May 2014

Padstow Day 5
First activity of the day for me was to walk along the Camel Trail (beside the Camel River, which runs past Padstow) upstream from Padstow. This trail, I'm sure is actually an old railway track, with no rails. It does have a big bridge, which only takes walkers and bicycle riders. There were hundreds of us, going both ways. I am delighted and surprised by the number of people - young to very old, who walk and ride along this and other paths. This one is especially good because it is almost flat. I walked just under half way to Wadebridge (which is 5 miles), and back. The walk is beautiful with views of the estuary, and birds galore along the way. My fellow walkers were all friendly and courteous; so were the cyclists. All in all - a lovely walk. The weather was even kind - no rain and a light breeze. I was down to a T shirt for some of the way !

 

This is the view from the old rail bridge towards the sea. That's Padstow on the left. No prizes for guessing that it's low tide.

I saw a Morgan today. The iconic British car which has changed not changed body shape in two generations.

 

 

It had to be red ! I want one.

This was in the carpark of Trerice, a Manor House built in the 1570s, during the reign of Elizabeth the first. The front of the house, when seen from above, looked like an "E" - for Elizabeth. She liked that sort of thing apparently, and it was very good form to flatter the queen (or King later on). The present house has an addition on the left side, which ruins the effect somewhat.

 

 

The fancy gable ends mark the ends of the original building. The bit on the left behind the red tree is a 19th century Johnny-cum-Lately (only about 130 years old). The girl in the front is slightly younger again.

We walked through the place and saw that the owners were royalists even before Queen Elizabeth's time, and took King Richard's side during the civil war. They had cool stuff like armour, chain mail, and helmets - and keen, skilled young men to fight for them. Here's one now.

 

 

Lex posing for another photo. That chain mail is heavy.

 

They had archers too...

 

 

Lex showing the opposition that he is not to be trifled with ! (He doesn't even like trifle). It's just a pity their weren't any arrows to shoot around the room. Still he does cut a dashing figure, don't you think ? Like the hat ? (it's an XL, on an S-head).

We walked through the house, talking to the guides and looking as if we knew what they were talking about. After all that worthy war & stuff, we had to go to the tearoom. We took our tea in the garden, as one does you know.

Robyn got interested in the plants, and then this Robin (no relation) came along.

 

 

What- no food; not even crumbs ? The robin moved on to the next table. These guys know how to survive in the English countryside. No chasing may flies for them.

I was so full of knowledge and tea that we had to leave. For lunch we visited Rick Stein's fish and chip shop in Padstow. It is only a few blocks from our flat. I decided to have grilled scallops - they were superb. I also had a serve of chips (deep fried in beef dripping, as the blackboard proudly announced). The chips are very naughty and very good. Robyn had them too- in a chip butty. This is just chips in a bread roll. I think she's turning pommy !!

In the afternoon, we walked along the Camel Trail (again for me). This time, I chose the other direction, and we walked toward the sea. The estuary widens out as it approaches the heads, and is perhaps 300 metres across at its widest point. The trail goes right out to the exposed coast, some 5 Km. Sailing boats cruise around it in the protected waters. In fact, we saw about eight small boats going around a marked course. I'm sure it was a sailing school for older children. Robyn was still interested in the birds though.

 

 

I don't even know what to call it, but it sure is pretty.

 

As the sun began to sink in the west, we turned around at about 2 Km from the town, and returned home for dinner; and to plan tomorrow's adventures.

Watch this space.....

Lex and Robyn