A walk beside the Cornish sea is a wonderful antidote to Christmas, after the days of calorific over indulgence in the rituals of the season. Well who can resist Christmas Pudding!
Our winter picnic was just as we had hoped. Piskies cove was warmed by the winter sunshine, immersed in the rhythms of the sea and bathed in the negative ions that only form besides moving water. Yes, it was the perfect antidote to Christmas.
A day lent for a Winter picnic
New Year’s Day dawned with clear blue skies and bright sunshine. It was a day lent from summertime in fact. A day that was far too tempting not to pack a picnic and choose a walk to a secluded cove.
A winter visit to Prussia Cove
We headed along to the next village and turned across Rosudgeon common to Prussia Cove. These are a spectacular group of coves, once infamous as a smugglers den with far reaching views around Mounts bay.
As our Christmas day walk on Perranuthnoe Beach proved, quiet a few other people had the same idea again! Still, there were still just two spots left in the little car park above Bessie’s Cove. It took a short discussion about whether the car was front or rear drive before the vintage Priscilla Peugeot was edged into place beside an impressive pot hole. The young couple who took the last spot dispensed with the discussion to park with a crunch of the front spoiler but then their car was considerable younger.
Our winter walk along the cliffs
We passed the headland where the last remnants of the attempts to salvage the Warspite still linger.
Here we paused to watch the relentless rhythm of the seas, before turning again to the narrow path.
Winter Seas
It was approaching high tide and the sea formed a swirling maelstrom around the rocks and zawns below as we set off westwards to Piskies, the outermost Cove.
Walking beside the sea
The bluest sea glittered enticingly below us, sparkling through the tamarisk trees, yet with a soundtrack of an angry roar.
Occasionally we met other walker. Most had a dog or three on a lead. Labradors and long dogs; busy spaniels and terriers; couples and families. All walking the coastal path to their chosen spots or returning replete from their adventure.
A little hidden pathway
Finally Charles spotted the narrow chink in the trees that leads to Piskies Cove. It was magnificent framed by the rocky outcrops of Little Cudden Point and we were finally alone except for two seagulls.
Eventually two more people spotted the path and went to gaze in awe at the rolling seas. However we’d enjoyed the little cove all to ourselves for a blissful winter picnic.
Sea air and negative Ions
The sea air, charged with negative ions, will raise serotonin levels, aide oxygen absorption into the blood and deliver a natural Christmas detox with absolutely no charge!
The tangy scent of the sea is produces by dimethyl sulphide gas and just breathing it can help to improve sleep. So with this in mind, a warm coat and cosseting thermos, here are three local beach walks for you to try!
Three Beach Walks
Bessie’s Cove
As we walked back towards the car there was a temptation to visit just one more cove So Bessie’s Cove beckoned us, just below the fishing huts that we’d passed earlier on our walk.
The steep slipway here marks the history of Bessie’s Cove as a mooring for smugglers vessels and the occasional “Ships of Mark” The fleet of John Carter the self styled “Prince of Prussia”.
The water is always still here, along with an air of brooding melancholy that embraces the very cliffs around it.
“This cove was named after Bessey Bussow who kept and Ale House there known as a “wink.” A secret passage ran from the back of the cave in the cove to the ale house above. Part of the alehouse is now included in Cliff Cottage and the grooves cut by the wheels can still be seen on the stone of the cove today.”
Read More of the history
There’s always a temptation to explore further, yet for now, we were content and refreshed by our winter walk beside the Cornish sea.
The route back to the car park passes little gateways that lead to hidden cottages and even a brightly painted post box for the inhabitants. There’s always something new to see, no matter how often you will dip into the rich Cornish coastline.
Directions!
- Prussia Cove lays below the historic Porth-an-Als Estate.
- Take the Penzance to Helston A394
- Turn seawards beside teh Fish and chip shop in Rosudgeon
- Follow the lane out across the common to the sea
- The Lane finishes at a tiny complimentary car park
Winter and Spring break in Cornwall?
Winter and early spring is the perfect time to find the healing life affirming balm of the seas. If you feel tempted to visit the sea once more, why not check out our discounts for three day winter and spring short breaks!
