| One way of walking a little of the Coast Path | | | | worst disaster in Padstow's history. On the night |
| would be to stay in a B&B in Padstow. An | | | | of the 11th April 1900 the trawler "Peace and |
| excellent walk would be from Padstow to Port | | | | Plenty" was being driven onto these rocks. Both |
| Isaac, which should take between five and six | | | | lifeboats were launched, the "Arab" a pulling |
| hours. It is difficult to achieve an average speed | | | | lifeboat, and the "James Stevens", a new steam |
| of even three miles an hour, because one is | | | | lifeboat. In waves the height of a three-storey |
| continually having to descend from the top of the | | | | house, the crew of the "Arab" struggled heroically |
| cliff down to sea level, and then all the way back | | | | to reach the stricken ship, only to be capsized by |
| up again. | | | | an enormous wave. Seeing the flares, the "James |
| A decent pair of walking boots make the trudge | | | | Stevens" attempted to go to her aid, only to |
| much more pleasurable, providing waterproofing | | | | meet the same fate as the "Arab", tossed into |
| and support for the ankles. Either one or two | | | | the air and turning upside down. On that dreadful |
| walking poles will also help, taking some of the | | | | night the lives of eight lifeboatmen and three |
| weight off the knees, and helping with balance | | | | fishermen were lost, together with all three boats. |
| when the path is steep or tricky. Then a light | | | | When you reach Pentire Point, spare a few |
| pack to carry essentials such as water, chocolate | | | | moments to admire the stupendous views. Laid |
| and perhaps an anorak, and off you go. | | | | out in front of you is Polzeath, the blue swathe of |
| Leaving your B&B in Padstow, take the ferry to | | | | the estuary and the rooftops of Padstow. Turn |
| Rock, on the opposite side of the estuary. The | | | | around and you can see Stepper Point, Harlyn |
| coast path is to your left as you get off the | | | | Bay, Trevose Head and the lifeboat station. |
| ferry, passing by the famous St Enodoc golf | | | | Slightly off the path, but worth it, are the Rumps, |
| course, in the middle of which is St Enodoc church. | | | | then Lundy Hole and Port Quin, with the derelict |
| This was once buried in the sand, until a local vicar | | | | cottages left abandoned when the fishing fleet all |
| took the time and trouble to excavate it, and | | | | perished in a great storm one night. Finally, Port |
| now John Betjeman, who became Poet Laureate | | | | Isaac and a cool and well-deserved pint. Check |
| in 1972, is buried there. | | | | the timetable and catch the bus back to your |
| You will pass Greenaway Rocks, the scene of the | | | | B&B in Padstow. |