Gwinear & District Footpaths & Bridleways Association
Thursday 15th May 2014
The first of our evening walks this year and we meet at Gwithian Green where we are greeted by local resident and walk leader, Pauline Howard. It is a beautiful evening with wall to wall sunshine and we hope the first of many this summer! Twelve of us set off along the coast road then leave it to head west and upwards into the dunes. We have wonderful views of the sea and beach (the tide is in), there are loads of surfers and many other folk enjoying the evening sunshine and as ever Godrevy Lighthouse gives a super backdrop to our view.
Our path takes us through the chalets (some holiday lets and others permanent residents), past the Jam Pot Café and onto Gwithian Towans. Work is going on at the Surf Café – a large extension – hopefully ready and open for the forthcoming Spring Bank Holiday Week. Across the car park we continue over the Towans – our way is not on marked footpaths but obviously well trodden ground known well to Pauline and others who frequent the area and maybe exercising dogs and children!
Views out to sea are extensive and of course over the bay to St Ives. We pass the mini car park just off St Ives Lane and Pauline leads us off up and over the sand dunes and across Upton Towans from where we head over toward the cliffs and join the South West Coast Path to head north east along it towards Gwithian.
Along the way our vigilant members notice two birds little-known to most people – the whimbrel and the wheatear which one can read all about in good bird guides.
A slight evening mist is noticeable as the sun begins its decent over the sea. We walk very close to the cliff edge where there are folk barbequing and surfers running to catch a last wave or two before sunset. There are still plenty of other walkers enjoying the evening. We keep to the Coast Path over the dunes, through the Nature Reserve then follow the path alongside the Red River to meet with Churchtown Road.
We keep within the Reserve walking back to the village, then join the road to our car park. Pauline leaves us to head back up the dunes path and home – thanks for planning our walk (approx 3.8 miles) and ordering the sunshine! Thanks all for supporting this walk and we look forward to the next:
7pm Thursday 12th June – “Carter, Coves & Contraband”, led by Graham Ronan – meet Falmouth Packet Inn, Rosudgeon, Grid: SW 557 295
Please click here to view the list of walks for 2014
Contact: Geoff Webster – geoff.webster249@btinternet.com
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