Should we say it is autumn yet I wonder? Well this week summer blew Cornwall a parting kiss and delivered blues skies, warm seas and gorgeous sunshine to the days, as we drift between the meteorological* autumn and the autumn equinox* in the hinterland known as late summer.
These balmy late summer days are just perfect to walk along the tranquil coastal footpaths and soak up the sun on the empty beaches, so join me in this week’s blog to explore a secluded cove in the shadow of St Michael’s Mount and watch dusk fall over a fish supper in Marazion, as summer blows a parting kiss.
Is it autumn when the beach still calls?
Autumn in Perrranuthnoe
Perranuthnoe big sandy beach is busy in the summer months but locals all have their favourite spots to visit around Perranuthnoe.
Adopting a favourite cove, a favourite rock to sit beside and a favourite view in a sort of summer ritual amongst the locals. Here they come to staunchly swim whatever the sea temperature in sensible black swimsuits, let their dogs take a dip, snorkel, kayak and fish.
“the sea birds hover and dive below the sparkling waters”
Between these visits if you sit quietly, the sea birds hover and dive below the sparkling waters, the red ochre cliffs glow against the vibrant blue skies and a seal will occasionally take a quizzical look from its salty perspective.
The cars tend to build up through Perranuthnoe’s streets through the summer and you’ll find them tucked in lay-bys and gateways stretching way up the hill from the beach. The main sandy beach at Perranuthnoe is quite popular in the summer time of course with gently sloping sands dipping towards the sea with foodie cafes on the cliff above waiting to please.
I’d like to say we walked to “our” cove this summer but alas Charles’s knee is wearing out fast these days. So we bumped along an unmade track, reminiscent of a Mediterranean Camino, to a tiny car park above a cove and tucked Priscilla Peugeot in the shade of the Tamarisk while we took a daily dip and yes I have bought a sensible black swimsuit!
Autumn jaunts – Explore Cornwall on a bike perhaps?
I have to show you this idyllic scene I spotted on the way to supper (provided I’m not the one doing the bicycling of course!) as we wandered down from the Square in Marazion, we took a detour through an alleyway to the sea and I spotted these two bicycles casually propped against the railings and I wondered if the couple sitting on the wall gazing at the Mount were there owners.
What a lovely way to explore Cornwall! Bikes and off road tours are available from Penzance Bike Hire
Autumn treat and an al Fresco Supper beside the sea
We finished our perfect day, on a day lent from summer, by sharing a seafood platter on the Godolphin Arms terrace. A perfect autumn choice overlooking St Michael’s Mount, as dusk settled over Mounts Bay, with the causeway snaking across the empty sands of low tide.
This was a perfect end to day for us and I have lots more Restaurants to recommend in my “Little black Book”
Good bye to summer and hello to autumn?
Will summer linger for longer or was this the parting kiss of glorious days? Well as we’ve enjoyed idyllic days of Indian summer on Sennen Beach in many years, I’ve a feeling we have a little more sunshine to come in the autumn of our summer.
When Is Autumn?
*The Meteorological autumn starts on the first of September. This is a convenient way to divide the season into four equal parts. The Autumn equinox is dictated by the sun’s journey around the earth.
There’s still time to book an autumn break!
P.S If you subscribe to our newsletter you will have seen the details of our special autumn breaks for the season to come.
