A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace. CONFUCIUS

Tuesday 12 October 2010

Pilgrims

This is the 14th century St Michael's Chapel at Rame Head. The couple in the picture had been walking short sections of the coastal path during weekends and holidays for several years...


After Cawsand and Kingsand, and a long but pleasantly wooded stretch through Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, I caught the Cremyll ferry across the river Tamar, the border between Devon (on the east) and Cornwall (on the west). It landed me in Plymouth, the end point of my journey. Here's Smeaton's lighthouse on Plymouth Hoe, the place where Sir Francis Drake insisted on finishing his game of bowls before going out to defeat the Spanish Armada - the ultimate in English cool...


And this is the exact spot (known as the Mayflower Steps) from where the Mayflower set sail in 1620, carrying the Pilgrim Fathers to the colony that would become known as Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. The rest, as they say, is history...


Warships have changed quite a bit since the wooden galleons of Drake's time. This photo was taken in Plymouth's naval dockyards...


So I'd reached the end of my long trek around the coast of Devon and Cornwall. It was an abrupt ending, as endings often are. In a month I'd walked over 400 miles and completed about two-thirds of the whole trail. 200 miles, from Plymouth to Poole, still remained. Some day I would return...


The Solitary Walker is taking a break from blogging and blogreading for a while. He will be back!

7 comments:

George said...

An interesting finale to your South West Coastal Walk, Robert. I especially enjoyed seeing the Plymouth Steps. Enjoy your break. You will be missed and I look forward to your return.

Friko said...

Please do, since I've only just discovered you.
I am selfish that way.

Have a good time away and rest your feet and fingers both.

Kiwi Nomad said...

Enjoy your well-earned break. meanwhile you have inspired me to go search our library to see what they might have in stock about such English walks...

Anonymous said...

Discovered your blog through Ann Sieben, The Winter Pilgrim. Love your blog! You might like my posting and photos on Ann's beginning of Mexico City pilgrimage.
booksandboots2010.blogspot.
Look forward to your future posts.

am said...

Thanks so much for the intimate look at those 400 miles of English coast.

That's about the distance from Redwood National Park south to Point Reyes National Seashore in California. A good long walk. There is momentum toward a Pacific Coast trail (like the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada) but at this point many gaps and retreats to the road because of private property.

Good to take a break from blogging and blogreading.

Kind wishes,
am

Caroline Gill said...

Sorry, I added my comment on the previous post!

Tramp said...

A tremendous journey and series of postings. In your account of the ups and downs of your journey I found the sound, feel, taste, smell and image of the sea and wind. Very stimulating. Catch up with you soon.
...Tramp