Day 29. Portloe to Mevagissey

Jo had always wanted to stay at the Lugger Hotel in Portloe and had eagerly anticipated sitting on the little terrace looking over the tiny harbour, watching the sunset with a g & t, but that's not how it works in Cornwall.
The weather was foul when we arrived and had only slightly improved when we left.
Had a bit of excitement at breakfast because of a power cut that had the hotel staff running around like headless chickens -
' sorry sir, we can't offer a cooked breakfast until the power is restored but can I get you a cup of tea while we're waiting ?'

Looking back at Portloe, the Lugger is the firstly building on the right.

Although it wasn't raining our feet were soon soaked from walking along the path overgrown with long wet grass.

It was up and down hill walking but that didn't deter a couple of runners coming up the particularly steep hill from Portholland.

West Portholland and East Portholland are former fishing villages now de-populated by second home ownership and holiday cottages.

It was a bit brighter when we arrived at Caerhayes and stopped for refreshment at the beach café above Porthluney Cove.
The very friendly staff told us the café runs regular drive-in movies with themed food and live music.
That's got to be worth a revisit.

Caerhayes Castle, designed by John Nash, has great gardens but is only open in the spring.

From a hill above Hemmick Beach we could see the path ahead blocked by an enormous herd of enormous cows so we climbed over a fence onto a lane.
Good move because the next four fields were also full of them.

Walking up from Hemmick Beach. Jo keeps on smiling.

Dodman Point with its huge stone cross erected by the vicar of Caerhayes in 1896 as an aid to shipping around the treacherous headland.
This was the site of an iron age fort (grassy bumps etc).

This area of Cornwall is renowned for local artists.

Looking back at Gorran Haven.

Stopped for a cream tea in Gorran Haven and moved on quickly whilst the weather was holding out.

 After a bit of road walking around Portmellon we soon arrived above Mevagissey.

Walked down to the colourful harbour before having a look for the hotel that was, of course, back up the hill we had just come down.

Mevagissey, named after St. Mev and (hag) St. Issey if you can believe anything on Wikipedia.

We were a bit dubious about the Tremarne Hotel on arrival.
The decor was really dated but the staff were very friendly and the food was superb.