The most prominent peninsula that we walk around on this hike is the Lizard Peninsula. It extends southwards to the UK’s most southerly point. Many look very carefully at either the peninsula, or the many rocks, and decide they can see a lizard shape, but the name has nothing to do with the reptile! The name “Lizard” is a corruption of the Cornish words Lys Ardh, which mean “high court”.
Hiking to Lizard point was today’s objective and it made for an absolutely fine day. Being able to have breakfast at 7:30 allowed an early start. For the first four miles, we saw barely another soul as we walked on moorland atop robust and severe rocky cliffs. We passed through Mullion Cove, perhaps the most classically picturesque Cornish scene we have seen, and met some cows that were not afraid of heights, which perhaps was why their clotted cream tasted so good! Amongst all this, the highlight was looking back at the sweeping headlands. We could spot where we had stayed the four previous nights: Mousehole, Marazion, Porthleven, and Polurrian. What cool names! We could even still see St Michael’s Mount!
We stopped for lunch at Kynance Cove, which was quite busy! This busyness was relative as we’d had the path to ourselves for most of the morning. Kynance Cove had a fine rocky beach, perfect for exploring at low tide, with a convenient car park. We focused on the cafe, which served a great sandwich and Americano, and had a tap for filling my water bottle! We hung out for about an hour. I read the Salt Path, which is about a couple who walk the SWCP, and my place in the book was when they walked this section! I will withhold my thoughts on the book until I have finished reading it, which needs to be soon as my digital library loan expires in a couple of days!
As we strolled on after Kynance Cove, the Lizard Lighthouse and Lizard Village came into view. The main difference between this most southerly point, and our morning hike, was that there were a lot more people around! The contrast was pleasant, and then we headed inland off the SWCP towards the village.
When we were near to completing our short inland walk to the pub we were staying at, we approached a sign we could not resist. A farm shop that also had cream teas! We did not complain when we had to wait for the scones to come out of the oven, only to be surpassed by the clotted cream, which was THE best either of us had eaten. It had not traveled far!
On this our sixth day of walking, I think we have both found our stride. The early start helped, as did the lunch break, and another pause on some fine horizontal well-cushioned grass! Today’s mix of lone moorland walking with small crowds, made us most content. The 9.7 miles and 1500 ft of ascent left us with energy to spare. The only thing that frustrates me is how neither my blogs nor my photos capture the inherent beauty of this place, but I will continue to try!
The Adventures of the Cajunlimeys 