Mid July 2021 – Padstow to Newlyn and Mousehole

10th July – Saturday

A long day started wet at 05.45.  64.5 miles which took 14 and a half hours.  Thankfully the sun appeared later and the sea turned glassy.  We passed Newquay and St Ives at a distance avoiding the many and varied fishing pots.  Heading towards one of the largest fishing ports in the UK, pots are to be expected.

We collected some large clumps of weed and felt our rope cutter successfully slicing through other clumps, thankfully.  It is strong stuff and can foul a propeller and rudders if not removed.  There is a long list of things we have to watch out for.

We rolled around Lands End, where the Celtic Sea meets the English Channel, passed the Longships Lighthouse.  The second on this site.  Off the coast of Lands End in Cornwall, it is remotely monitored from Trinity House Operations centre in Harwich.  It was Electrified in 1967, replacing a paraffin burner.  The isophase light has a 19 Nm range (35km).  1974 the helipad was constructed.

St Michaels Mount appears on the right as we head for Newlyn across Mounts Bay.

Beware of large fishing vessels, which arrive and depart at any time of day.  They don’t spare the horses on their way out of the harbour.  Re-enforcing that it is their place of work and our privilege to be allowed anywhere near.

11th July – Sunday

Spoiler Alert – It didn’t come home….

The rest of the day had been windy and very rainy.  Mick went for fuel and the papers. 

A very large Fishing Vessel arrived in the afternoon.  It was promptly unloaded and then for the next 2 days and nights it was re-loaded and provisioned.  The generators run 24 hours a day, and the bright lights shine all night.  It was directly behind our boat on the visitors pontoon.  We were glad of a place to rest after going around Lands End, so no complaints from us.  It was still there when we left.

12th July – Monday

In the morning we walked to Lidl in Penzance, approx. 20 minutes, to stock up.

Then a walk around Newlyn, which isn’t very big.  The Strand is a well known vintage shop along with ‘Coddiwomple’ a local Art Gallery.  Sadly the Newlyn Art Gallery was closed for preparation of their next exhibition.  Newlyn is famous for Newlyn School of Art, so this was a blow.

We then set off and walked to Mousehole, a pretty village approximately 40 minutes walk West along the coastal path.  Aim up out of town and follow your nose.

From the path there is a good view of Newlyn Harbour.  Fleur Middle Left.

To give you some perspective on our neighbours.

Solera on the end on the right, more of which later.

We mainly took the road route on the way there.  Turning the corner you first see ‘The Mousehole’ which is a lovely ‘everything you never needed’ shop.

It is deceptively spacious inside.  Do have a peek.

Then you turn round and see the picturesque harbour.  Sadly the tide was out, but still very pretty.

We wended our way around the road passed this beautiful stilted house.

The small streets and alleys reveal the cutest cottages.

And quaintest streets and lanes.

Jessie’s dairy is tucked just off the main drag.

Today’s choice, Chicken, Cheese and Bacon pasty.

We sat on the harbourside for a good while eating and people watching.

We took the lower road back to Newlyn.

The path took us passed the Stacked Beach Stone sculpture.  Hundreds of stacks of balancing pebbles.

The path ends at a steep staircase back to the road.

Later another lower road beckons us down to another lower path, which finishes at Newlyn Harbour.  These paths keep us away from the traffic.

If you visit, please walk to Mousehole, it is delightful.  Make sure to explore the lanes and nooks.

That evening we catch sight of yacht ‘Solera’ and remember we have encountered Val and John before in Cherbourg in France and Cuxhaven in Germany.

I braved the showers, as we thought Falmouth may be very busy and we might have to anchor.  See below.

Sailors Info – Newlyn

Newlyn is a fishing harbour which takes passing boats, as it is a safe haven after rounding Lands End.  It can not be described as a yacht harbour, they make us welcome, but not that welcome, that we might outstay our welcome!!

£23 per night and £2.50 for electric, which was switched on after you paid from the office.  Limited wifi.

Showers are basic and cost £2.  Collect a token from the Harbour Office and a key for the door opposite.  One shower with toilets for all visiting sailors.

Shopping : There is a Co-op in Newlyn, and a Lidl in Penzance, an easy walk away.

Lewis’s Fish and Chip Shop is highly rated.  One portion of chips and two fish would have been plenty.  Massive portions but at £17, large price too, but they were excellent.  The Seafood bar across from Lewis’s was also popular.

Fresh fish is available on the Main Street.

Picture of Newlyn Harbourmasters Office, at the other side of the Fish Market, will help locate the shower!

Next stop Falmouth