Sunday 26 June 2011

Can’t believe it – we slept in! Woke to our landlady knocking on the door to see if we wanted breakfast! Embarrassing!

A day of changes! We set off walking to the bus stop – the plan being to bus to Mevagissey and get the boat to Fowey! The day was incredibly foggy and we walked to the bus stop only to read that there were no buses on Sunday! Change of plans – we would drive to Fowey instead. Walked back got the car and headed up the road towards St Austell and then to Fowey. Took the turnoff and started on our way but a detour up ahead! Started up the alternative route but there was a queue a mile long so we decided to retrace our steps – turned around and headed back to Mevagissey by car.

As we approached the Pentwan turnoff we saw some people waiting at the bus stop so pulled in and offered them a ride (no bus on Sunday). The people were campervanners who were staying at the camping ground just near Pentewan. Their names were Marg and Derek who live in Manchester. They bought their van about 6 years ago and have travelled all round Britain and Europe. Anyway we dropped them to Mevagissey and said our goodbyes but they invited us to have a wine with them at the campin g ground later!

Got into Mevagissey only to find the fog was thick! Parked the car and walked down to the village and found a huge carnival atmosphere – flags flying and hundreds of people milling around. Apparently it was the start of Feast Week which is a religious festival celebrating the harvest.
We had a coffee and then walked around to where the Fowey Ferry left from, only to find that due to the fog, the 11.30 sailing was cancelled because of the poor visibility. The guy told us he was sure the 1.10pm sailing would go as it was clear at Fowey and he was certain the fog would soon lift. Anyway we headed back into the village and fossicked around for the next hour or so until the next sailing was due to go. Things were very carnival like with a band playing and food of all descriptions being sold along the harbourside. People were dressed like Pirates and on the water there were water fights and great hilarity – it was a great family affair.

The ferry came in and 41 people disembarked. Six people got on to go to Fowey! We set off and boy it was rough spray came on board, they pulled down the see through curtain on the weather side of the boat! The skipper had the windscreen wipers on as the waves were breaking over the bow. I have to say Jannie didn’t enjoy it too much but the scenery was lovely and she concentrated on that. The trip took 35 minutes and she was quite glad to get off. We wandered up the roadway, again less than 2m wide and found a lovely pub with a table overlooking the river. Beer and prawn sandwiches, lovely views and lots of boats plying the waters.

We wandered down through the town and had to press into the odd doorway along the way in order that the cars could get by. Shops were all much the same and were selling nic nacs and mementos. Not tempted. We made our way back to the jetty and waited to catch the ferry back to Meva. Again not too many on board and the trip back was more pleasant. On the way back the swells had increased and were now in the 1.5 to 2m range but the wind and sea was following so there was no spray or thumping. The skipper did a great job of running with the sea swells.

Back on the dock we could hear the band at the soundshell thumping out the music. Boy was it loud! Back to the car and back to Pentewan. Now it was really hot. Talk about all weathers in a day but we finally got a park and went and left our stuff at the B&B and decided to go for a walk and try to find Derrick and Marg’s campervan. We did find it amongst the hundreds of vans that were parked in the camping ground and they plied us with beer and wine and introduced us to their 20 odd friends . we sat in an ever growing circle as others joined the group and chatted. Was nice.

Walked back along the beach – was like walking in gravel rather than sand. Not too many swimmers but those that were sitting on the beach all had their beach shelters erected. Had a table at the pub booked for 7.30 and both had prawn salads and more wine and beer.

Back to the B&B to do the blog.
Thanks for the comments Jill – enjoy your trip as I’m sure you will.
Mike you have never cooked us Beef Wellington!! And were too busy stuffing your mouth with it and couldn’t say hello to us when we phoned home but it was lovely speaking to the girls and our “favourite grand-daughter” cough cough.
Jane, I knew Paul would bring the fine weather – yep we got it today and are both sporting sunburnt arms and faces. Long may this last.