Portloe to Gorran Haven

This section of the South West Coast Path was much tougher than we expected, although it could easily be that we read the guidebook wrong. If we had more energy we could look at the books again and know for sure, but none of us has any extra. Suffice to say we are knackered. 12 miles total, lots and lots of ups and downs.  Absolutely gorgeous weather!  Hot for May in England. 

We walk a 3/4 mile from our cottage in Treviskey down to the harbor.

The path from Portloe to Gorran Haven starts behind this house. Steps that lead up and up.

The guide books says this trail had a rough beginning but that later we'd be "marching across the top". During these initial ups and downs we're thinking that at least we are getting the hard part done first.

We reach West Porthholland and then East Porthholland, where the combined population is about 40. Both hamlets are part of the Caerhays Castle estate. The "castle" is actually a semi-castellated "country house" built in 1808 by John Nash, one of the most influential architects of the 18th and 19th century. ("Castellated" means it has battlements.)

Lime kilns were used to manufacture lime (calcium oxide) by burning calcium carbonate at super hot temperatures (above 1600 degrees).

Toilets at West Porthholland. Ha!

We stop to support a tiny shop called Pebbles Tea & Cafe in East Porthholland. We buy snacks and I buy a warm headband knitted by the owner.

The Caerhays Castle, which is really a "manor house".

A pheasant hiding beneath the bridge!

Finally we see Gorran Haven! Little do we know at this point that we still have to go up and over this next bend.

We dive in! Freezing cold but it feels marvelous!