After a quick trip to the doctors, warmth and blue skies beckoned us to the seaside, so off we went on our local 73 bus to Talland Bay for a walk to Looe. The start was downhill from the bus stop through a tunnel of green and brown to the shore. 
When we arrived at the beach we saw that the cafe there, which we have never seen open before, was indeed doing business. After ordering our coffee and tea we decided to make use of their wonderful little beach huts. What a great idea of theirs and how sympathetic to the setting. A pleasant 10 minutes was spent admiring the view.
That set us up nicely for the very steep climb up coronary hill…
and luckily someone who had obviously enjoyed this walk in the past had dedicated a seat just before the top…
From now on a walk along how the Coastal Path should be – with stunning views and scenery….
and again some lovely turquoise colours in the sea…..maybe a result of the china clay residue which has filled this Bay for hundreds of years!
You know when Polperro is just round the corner when you see that some people are using other means of transport than feet…..
The beach was fairly busy, as was the town (half-term). But in truth it is not a particularly nice beach (sorry Polperro). 
We saw one house that had four substantial flying buttresses holding it up – a feature which you only normally see on cathedrals, and here was the so-called ‘house-on-props’.
Really good there is a decent pub just by where you wait for the bus….
And, as we had to change buses in Looe, we walked up to Looe beach which is very nice…
On the way home I took some moving shots just to show how green is my valley….virtually the whole way home you go along the river and are surrounded by trees…..
and you have races sometimes (in my head anyway) with the train on the adjoining line which stops at Sandplace station only a handful of times ….. approx 30 passengers per week. We’ve never seen anyone waiting here…..
Looe
Family Adventures…in Devon and Cornwall..
Our daughter and granddaughter were here for a long weekend, all the way from Scotland. We met them at our local station which, as I have said before, has trains running to almost everywhere in the country – amazing for such a remote spot. Aiisha was quick to show us the fruits of her labours on the last part of their journey.
After a nice cup of tea (you very rarely say a nice cup of coffee), it was a quick game of football in the garden and hide and seek in the acer.
….before a drive to Black Rock, which turned into a drive to somewhere else entirely -Seaton due to the satnav! Katherine had been left behind for a recovery sleep, so we had a lovely time building sandcastles, paddling and having ice cream….well what else are you supposed to do at the seaside?
After a lazy lunch off we went on the bus to Looe where the sun came out and a good time was had by all, especially on the slot machines in the Amusement Arcade where we won a Unicorn.
Next day we took the train to Hayle on the North Coast where we visited Paradise Park a wildlife sanctuary and Play Park and very, very good in both aspects. The adults really enjoyed the amazing animal life, especially the hundreds of different birds all in excellent aviaries with plenty of space…
and you can get very close to some of your favourites including flamingoes…
and the very first Chough we had ever seen (we have looked out for them on the Lizard but to no avail)……
We really enjoyed the flying display with an extremely knowledgeable and personable guide….
and the opportunity to get up really close was terrific…
Having said all that, it has to be said that the younger element did prefer the other side to Paradise Park! And why not?
there was time for a late lunch, but first we had to get to St Ives on the lovely little railway round the bay….where the views from the train window were as breathtaking as usual….what beaches, what skies.
For a change and to avoid walking all through town we decided to lunch at the Porthminster Kitchen 
Good choice..
and straight out onto the beach afterwards…
Enjoying Cornwall... 