Today was a great day to accept life’s pace. As I approach my sixtieth year, I continue to try and fill up time. The tenth day of our SWCP walk was about seven miles, but after an early start and no check-in before 4pm at our destination, we were forced to wander! And it was fine…
As we crossed the dewy fields in the early morning sun, we could not work out what made the morning peacefulness so special. The fields were still and silent, but it was different from a still and silent afternoon.
As we neared Falmouth, we passed Maenporth, Swanpool, and Gyllyngvase beaches, and the buzz of local activity increased in a new way. Perhaps it was because it was a Saturday, but also we were getting close to the large university town of Falmouth. In the bays, paddleboarders cruised across the surface as wild swimmers appeared to drag their swim-buoy through the water. A SCUBA-diving group disappeared under the water, their presence revealed by bubbles breaking the surface. We met many friendly dogs on the path, a few dragging their humans but most bounding along happily with their trail-running master. I watched people pursuing so many activities that I have enjoyed and loved, yet I was very happy to accept that this was neither the time nor the place for them. I could spend my time bird watching and photographing, but this is also not the time for that. We were perfectly fine enjoying this brilliant hike, and doing it on our terms.
We were reminded that for others throughout history, it had been the time and the place for them to act in ways they wished they were not obliged to. Overlooking Swanpool beach, a monument had almost been swallowed by the oak trees. It said:
“FOR FREEDOM”
THIS SEAT AND THE PATH LEADING
THERETO HAVE BEEN PROVIDED
AS A MEMORIAL TO THE MEN OF
NUMBER 1 (FALMOUTH) COMPANY
OF THE HOME GUARD
WHO DURING 1940, 41, 42, 43, 44,
AFTER THEIR DAYS WORK
NIGHTLY PATROLLED THIS COAST
ARMED AND VIGILANT AGAINST
GERMAN LANDINGS
THUS THEY WATCHED 1000
DAWNS APPEAR ACROSS THESE
GREAT WATERS WHICH FORM
OUR COUNTRY’S MOAT.
At the entrance to Falmouth Harbour stood Pendennis Castle. There has been a form of defence at this site since Henry VIII’s reign in the 1500s, as Falmouth provided an excellent deepwater anchorage. She was well protected in the war, with the coastal defences only decommissioned in 1956, though the shipyard remains active in repairing the navy’s ships.
We enjoyed a fine long lunch under the castle by Pendennis Point, watching the gulls and a group of ten traditional Falmouth Sunbeam yachts race offshore. The point we’d hiked around two days previously was prominent, reminding us of our progress.
We completed the final leg into Falmouth, enjoying the views of the harbour. We visited a previously-researched laundrette for our planned laundry day, and it was uplifting to have the suitcase “reset” with clean clothes.
We made the most of being in a big town and had a simple Chinese takeaway for dinner. We were a bit worried that the pub below us would have a noisy night….
The Adventures of the Cajunlimeys 