Take a hat

St. Ives Sennen Cove Lots of things to do down here.  The beaches are great and empty at this time of year. Sennen Cove is worth a visit. Just a short walk North of Lands End. I had a very nice Cornish Pastie in a Cafe there, the beach wasn't bad either. The coastal walks are wonderful, must do more on our next trip.   Trengwaintion Gardens In the Cornish gardens, the Azaleas and Rhododendrons were in flower. National Trust Gardens provide wheel chairs and, at a push, is yours truly. Needed those legs muscles! This one was Trengwaintion Gardens near Penzance. By the way, the NT gives you a discount if you arrive by bike.   Went to a favourite restaurant on the last night, the Porthminster Beach Cafe. Between St. Ives and Carbis Bay. Good food, perfect service, lovely setting and brilliant evening sunshine. The bucket is not for making sand castles or for donations, although they would have been welcome, its for my spent Fowey Mussel shells. Yummy! We t

St. Michaels Mount Cornwall gets pretty narrow when you get near the bottom so it doesn’t take too long to get to the South Coast from St. Ives.There’s a nice bike ride over to Penzance and St. Michaels Mount. Even though it’s not far away, the weather can change markedly. If it’s gloomy on the North Coast it can be bright on the South and vice-versa. Didn’t do too much cycling during our week in the West Country, last week was quite enough and without being focussed on a definite destination it was hard work climbing the hills. Oh, and the saddle seems to have got much harder!. On the Mount

Sea view Breakfast view at Carbis Bay After Youth Hostelling and dormitory living, staying in Carbis Bay was bit of a culture shock. Definitely 5 star with 3 tellys, Ipod docks and a stunning view. Even had Play Stations, whatever they are? Carbis Bay is just North of St Ives, a short walk along the coastal path, or one stop on the local train. Its really quiet whereas St. Ives can be really busy. Did not risk a swim, only 9 degrees! Nice for an early morning walk on the beach though. Helluva of steep road from the Beach up to the main road. Bit of a gasper when heading out for a bike ride! Carbis Bay Carbis Bay

May 2010 - Southern England Cycle Tour Bournemouth West Beach Day One Bournemouth to Beer, about 80 miles On the Ferry to Studland Leaving Bournemouth for Beer sounds a bit of a contradiction now that Bournemouth is famed as a party town - but that was the plan. On the road at 07:00 sped down to the Prom and off to the Sandbanks Ferry. Lovely cold but sunny morning, only had to share tarmac with a few joggers on the coastal path. Just made the chain-link ferry, they saw me coming and held the gates open, good omen for the day. Nice 90p cruise across the mouth of Poole Harbour and then on the road to Corfe Castle. Could not cut across the heath today as was on Rossinante, my touring bike. Not an original name for a bike but as it was good enough for Don Quixote’s donkey then it is certainly appropriate enough for my bike. Near Corfe - gorse and castle My route today was based upon a section of National Bike Route 2 that wends its way from Dover to Exeter - and mo

Marlow -swans in the Park Marlow -swans in the park. Probably avoiding the River and the Marlow Spring Regatta that was causing a stir. Beach House Cafe Cycle eastwards along the prom from Bournemouth towards Christchurch. Pass behind Hengistbury Head and through some woods to a pebble beach with huts on the promontory opposite Mudeford. Back in time! There you will find refreshmenrs at the Beach House Cafe. Good views of the Chrischurch Harbour. Swanage Bay in April Swanage is very quiet mid-week in April. Lovely sunshine as I headed for Old Harry Rocks. Leaving Poole Harbour Cycle westwards from Bournemouth along the prom to the Sandbanks Ferry. Sail gets priority over the chain-link. Quiet roads and scenic paths over the heath.    Greys Court Lambs and Daffs at Greys Court near Henley. A National Trust property that's worth a visit. Greys Court blossom Cherry Blossom is at its best this year