Carbis Bay

Today we started hiking from St. Ives up through Steeple Woodland Nature Reserve--it was odd to be in the trees after so long on the coast. I loved this marker with its steeple! What looks like a robin on the painted hand is one of the hikers.

Today's description: In Summary: Head up to Knill’s Monument, then drop down to join the coast near Lelant church. We follow the coastal path back to St Ives, passing through the dunes beside Porthkidney Sands, Carrick Gladden and Carbis Bay.

Highlight: Enjoy glorious views over St Ives Bay from Knill's Monument. Look out for the Balking House, once used by Cornish pilchard fishermen.

Knill's Monument:

Knill was head of customs and left a trust to fund an annual parade featuring two widows and 10 girls, all dressed in white, who would hike from St. Ives to this hilltop. Whatever floats your boat.

Lovely little house above but we also went through a lot of development--new houses that looked more American than Cornish.

The photo above taken to capture the many many houses I saw clad in slate. I don't think I've ever seen this exterior before--hardy enough in high winds. Below is one of the beaches we walked along. This was the view for much of the day.

Orchids.

We had lunch at Lelant church overlooking a golf course. I did not envy the golfers getting around a sharp dogleg then hitting up a hill, beyond which they couldn't see the bunkers that awaited.

Part of the reason I hike with HF is I have a fear of getting lost. I'm not great with maps. When we reached a point where it would be difficult for me to get lost, I set out on my own back to St. Ives. I hiked with the middle group today, 8 miles, and the group moves pretty slowly. I wanted to get back and do some shopping in St. Ives. But I did fully take in the view.

Before you get to St. Ives you go through Carbis Bay, which hosted a big event a few years ago.

This very modern house was across the street from...

the Balking House mentioned earlier. From this house, watchmen would keep an eye out for shoals of pilchard and alert the fisherman when they were in sight.

I was just struck by the juxtaposition of old and new Cornwall.

Once in St. Ives I went to about six galleries looking for an artist whose work I had admired in Penzance. No luck. I also bought postcards and stamps. I also went to the Tate St. Ives. I was very hungry and wanted to eat in the cafe on the top floor--with stellar views. However their card machine wasn't working and I didn't have cash. I had a look around the gift shop and left empty handed. I got some fudge on the way home--Cornwall is famous for fudge and ice cream--to keep me going.

I went through some artists studios--with artists hard at work--from where I saw a neat door across the lane. St. Ives has always been an artists' haven.

30 June