Day 45  - Mousehole to Wendron

 

Date: Friday 18^th June 2010   Distance: 24.29 Miles

 

On Friday after breakfast we visited the local bird hospital just into Mousehole. It was not at all exciting and it was obvious the staff didn’t want us there. Maybe it was because they were having a picnic breakfast though the notice outside definitely said they were open at 10 for visitors. There were tiered cages with bedraggled crows, magpies and gulls. They didn’t even open up the shop. We put some money in the collection box and left rather disappointed.

 

When we arrived at Penzance via some pretty coast cycle routes  on its outer edge we found a laundrette to refresh our worn clothes. We roasted in the Queen’s Hotel conservatory, even with the windows open, while we relaxed with a coffee as the washing washed.

 

Marazion is a lovely little village but with nowhere to park the bike we carried on to be hailed by some ladies just up the road. They said there was a lovely garden to visit free of charge and they had “cakes to die for.”  So we went in OK’d by the bouncers. I think they really wanted the locals and local business people. It’s called the “Sandrose Project” They were very kind giving us a lot of time showing us around. The garden was inspired and I was surprised to see a family staying there playing in the garden. It is a house where bereaved families from the loss of a child, can go to relax and be together in beautiful surroundings. The project was helped by lottery money and they wanted to up their profile in the community. The view of St Michaels Mount is stunning and they get a free pass to visit the island. We watched people cross the causeway by foot very slowly! In a glass case in one of the rooms is a rose naturally made by the winds on the sand in the desert. It’s exquisite. The cake and tea was very nice too.

 

We had lunch and a pint (though Pat had eaten too much cake) in a local pub that was a bit rough but had a splendid view again of the Mount. Then it was a private road to a sandy cove called Praa Sands with extensive views again. Portleven was next but we didn’t delay. There was a very busy road into Helston so we stopped at Tesco’s for a pit stop and collected something to eat al fresco at the B and B because we know it is situated several miles from a pub or restaurant.

 

There was a little bit of main road out of the town then it was all lanes to Merther-uny Farm. Traffic was charging around with flags flying for the world cup and we were getting a bit nervous. Then someone cut in close and we were cursing them when they stopped and waited for us. They were guests at the B and B and they were looking out for a couple on a tandem. They said that although the road looked unlikely it did lead to the farm. It was  certainly lonely, high banked and dark with foliage.

 

It is an old farmhouse with a huge granite firplace and our room seemed enormous after the other B and Bs. We were staying here 2 nights so we could complete the Lizard peninsula. From our bedroom we could watch the birds on the bird table and it seemed a constant stream of all British varieties. The tandem went to bed in a gated poly tunnel guarded by a mad cat. It jumped out of the tunnel over our heads after dashing futilely around the plastic walls looking for an exit. Perhaps it had bad memories of bikes!