This was the view that greeted us when we woke this morning. Sometimes the days are just packed and sometimes you can just tell that you're in for good day.
There was no one on the beach first thing and not much in the way of surf, so we bailed out of the van, rubbed the sleep out of our eyes and took a stroll along the deserted sands to stretch out. About halfway along the beach, the swell started to pick up, so we returned to the van for a light breakfast and a brew.
Then it was into wetsuits and off for a surf! By now there was some real warmth in the sun which took the chill off climbing into a damp wetsuit. The waves turned out to be pretty good and we both got some nice rides before many other surfers even turned up. The white sands and turquoise waters had a real tropical feel. After, as we walked back to the van, the beach had started to fill up, but our van spot meant that we had the prime place to picnic.
Then it was off to find some cliffs to climb. Over at Gurnards Head, the cliff tops were in full bloom.
The view from the headland was fantastic - secluded beaches, hidden houses and rugged coastline.
Then, as if on cue, a huge pod of dolphins swam into the bay!! We watched for about a quarter of an hour as they jumped and played in the bay, leaping right out of the water before continuing off along the coast. An absolutely magic moment.
The next excitement came in the form of finding our chosen climb. The route, 'Right Angle' HS (4b), had come highly recommend by friends and looked fantastic. What had not been relayed to us though, was that they had neglected to tell us that accessing the corner involves some outrageously exposed traversing above the booming seas!
The climbing is actually relatively straight forward, but the position in incredible. Slowly but surely, we crab crawled across two pitches to reach the corner. It was certainly more a test of nerves as much as it was a test of rope work skills!
Eventually I reached the sanctuary of the corner, where the lack of big ledges was suggesting that I was going to have to make a hanging belay. Below, the waves were still crashing, so I cautiously constructed a multiple anchor belay, before sitting back above the fresh air!
Careful not to fumble any gear!...
Clare soon joined me, re-sorted the kit, then set off up the sunny corner pitch, while I was left hanging in my exposed dark corner belay!
Having been absorbed by the adventures of the climb, we'd only been paying slight attention to the incoming storm! Out to sea a squall was heading our way! As we pulled over the top of the cliff the first drops of rain began to fall. By the time we got to the van, it was properly raining. But it was so warm that the roads were steaming with evaporation.
So how to you celebrate such a fantastic day? Jump into a pair of jeans and go find the funkiest cafe you can of course!
Somehow, with no planning, we found the perfect cafe bar, complete with leather sofa, music, coffee, food and wine. Mega! Just what we needed before heading over to Jenny's. What a day... Cornwall at its best!
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