We checked into the excellent Boscean House (http://www.bosceancoutryhouse.co.uk/ and + 44 1736 788748) early evening and wandered off to the local pub for a quick bite. The local was the Queens Arms at Botallack and turned out to be such good value that we ate there every night. A different crumble every evening for pudding, I couldn't resist (as usual).
We had a good few days enjoying the delightful breakfasts and then wandering the shoreline, sitting in the sun, watching the birds fight the wind and the seals drift around in the swell. We ambled around Bosigran cove but decided not to climb as it was blowing a gale - good decision because it then pi$$ed down. We ate cream teas and explored the old mine workings and coastal paths. We also cycled from Mousehole to St Michael's Mount at Marazion along the coastal path through Penzance and then rewarded ourselves with fish and chips, in the paper and on the sea wall, when we got back.
We had planned to cycle the Coast to Coast trail from Portreath (north coast) to Devoran (south coast) and back. This isn't very far, isn't very hard, but was a good fun half day, especially through the old mine workings in the Poldice valley where there is scope for play !Most of the trail is very family friendly with very few bits on the road and most of the route following the old Mineral Tramway, once used to ship tin and copper ore to the ancient quays at Devoran and the harbour at Portreath. It has a good cafe and a decent bike shop located along the way (Bissoe Tramways Cycle Hire) with basic bits. If you need something a little more exotic, the main shop is only five minutes off-route on the outskirts of Redruth.
Just before the weekend we moved east to Dartmoor and into the hidden gem that is Burn Cottage (http://www.burncottage.co.uk/ and + 44 1822 820382) where Sheila looked after us as only she can. This place is located inside the National Park at the foot of Gibbett Hill just outside Mary Tavy and you can just get on your bike and go .. unfortunately uphill firstly and mostly.
We had decided on a circular route starting at Princetown car park and following another disused railway to Burrator resevoir, on minor roads through Sheepstor village to Scout Hut Wood and then back over the moor via the bridleway to Princetown.
This route has loads of variations, can be done either way round and is an all round winner. There are plenty of off-piste options to make it a bit more of a challenge - try the bridleway from the woods at Burrator that runs ENE past Crazywell pool if you want a bit of rough. It's very do-able if you're fit but it's easy to dab if you take your eye off the ball.
There was just enough time to catch up with some old friends over a splendid meal, eat the Peter Tavy Inn (http://www.petertavyinn.com/ and + 44 1822 810348) out of food again and fill up with petrol for the drive home.
Bugger, another one over ...
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