After been cooped up indoors all over Christmas because of very wet weather we wanted to get out and blow away the cobwebs, even though it was an overcast day. However, because of all the rain we had had we knew most paths would be very muddy and there was also warning regarding landslips on coastal paths near cliffs. We therefore decided that a walk along a beach would be ideal. Watergate Bay looked a long beach on the map therefore we headed there. As we drove down through Cornwall it was very drizzly with low visibility, but when we got to Watergate it was not raining, although it was very windy. However, we were ready for a brisk walk on the sands. Once on the beach we were sheltered from the wind and had a lovely walk to one end of the beach and then back in the other direction. It was unfortunately it was misty so you could not see far. There were streams of water running off the cliffs and signs of landslips along the cliffs. Although there was some surf it was obviously not suitable for surfing on boards but there were some kite surfers enjoying the conditions.
We then drove on to the National Trust car park at C to have our lunch. Afterwards we went for a walk, but found it very windy on the cliffs. There is an accessible path to a viewpoint which we took, and then we continued on a good path above the SW Coast path towards Bedruthan Steps. After a little while the path had been laid with stones. As the path was very wet this part of the path was slippery so we turned back.
As it was still early we drove on to Padstow. Here it was not so windy so we were able to walk through the town and along the side of the river towards the sea. Unfortunately it started to drizzle and began to get cold so we returned to the car. However, we realised that there was a good walk along the sand at the side of the river from the ferry slipway out to the sea, which would be ideal if footpaths remain very muddy. We will return to do this sometime.
