Coastal walk from Port Isaac to Port Quin (and back)

Today was devoted to "conquering" the 5 mile coastal path from Port Isaac to Port Quin and back. Last summer I attempted to complete the whole walk a few times, but was thwarted by lack of time and foul weather. I did make it part of the way on the path last summer - twice. 

The walk started as we ascended the hill towards Doc Martin's surgery and ended back there. It was a circular path through Cornwall's cliffs and fields. The path hugs the coastline for most of the way to Port Quin.  Right before arriving in Port Quin we saw Doyden Castle alone on a hill. It was the filming location on Doc Martin where the chemist Mrs. Tishell held Doc's baby captive.  In Port Quin we stopped and ate a picnic lunch.  In Port Quin the path moves away from the coast and crosses fields, forest and stream.  We passed Roscarrock Farm, the filming studio for many inside shots of Doc Martin (including the inside of Doc's surgery). The fields we crossed were mown paths next to wheat fields and cow pastures. The path ended with a descent through woods back to the village of Port Isaac.

It is a strenuous hike with lots of ascents (and thankfully descents too).  We had amazing views to take in even when we were winded.  

Here are a few photos showing the steepness of the path and the beauty of the cliffs,water and fields.

Day trip to Wadebridge

We had a fun day trip to Wadebridge today. Our goal was to go bicycle riding on the Camel Trail that goes along the Camel River. We made it almost to Bodmin (around 5 miles one way).  The trail for the most part follows the river.  Sometimes the river becomes more like a creek or a swamp. Along the way are benches and picnic tables. Here is the view from our lunch spot.

Watch out for other cyclists, pedestrians and dogs off leash. Especially look out for pedestrians who are walking on the wrong side of the path. If they don't move over to the other side of the path then you can assume they are not from the UK and you better swerve. Ride and walk on the left side of the path, just as cars do!

A slight detour was necessary to visit the Camel Valley Winery.  The path was steep so we opted to walk our bikes up the hill. At the winery they offer mostly sparkling wines. We sampled all 6 plus a cider. There were some unusual sparkling wines made with rosé, Pinot noir, Chardonnay and a very tannic red wine (our least favorite). All of them were pretty dry. The sparkling cider was dry, had too much of an alcohol taste and did not have enough apple flavor to suit me. Here is a photo from our tasting.  

Here is a photo of the grapes.

Lastly we stopped at my favorite place to buy pasties.  It is Barnecutt's bakery.  The outside of the pasty is light and flaky. Some places have a heavier pastry. I prefer the light. Also they carry my favorite kind of pasty called chicken balti (chicken and potatoes in a curry sauce). This flavor of pasty is not traditional. Maybe that is why I like it!

All in all a fun day! Now off later to the pub for another ginger beer!!

1st day in Port Isaac part 2

In mid afternoon we headed up to the coastal path to Port Quinn. On the way we ran into Bert Large from Doc Martin. He was signing cookbooks called "A taste of Port Isaac". We bought one and he signed it for us. He was very friendly. Here we are with him.

The sun was shining brightly over the water today from the cliffs over Port Isaac. We climbed up the start of the coastal path to Port Quinn. The view is amazing from up there. We hope to hike the whole way to Port Quinn one of these free days. Here is an example of the view.

On the way back home we stopped at Nicki B's for pasties. I had the traditional steak,onion and swede (rutabaga). Next on to get some Roskilly's ice cream. I had my favorite salty caramel.

We attempted to go down to the harbor in Port Isaac for a band concert, but the band did not show up. We bumped into an acquaintance who reported that we missed Martin Clunes filming in Port Gaverne this afternoon. Had we known...Grrrr!! It is the last day of filming too! I really wanted to see him the most of all. If we are lucky we may still run into him tomorrow. 

1st full day in Port Isaac part 1

It is our first full day in Port Isaac. You could not ask for better weather! It is cool and sunny. No rain yet today. We had very few days like this last summer.

We started out with a delicious English breakfast of cereal,eggs,bangers, bacon and sautéed mushrooms..and of course tea. Our host prepared it for us.

Next we headed over to Port Gaverne via the coastal path. We thought that Doc Martin filming was there this morning. Turns out they were starting out in Port Isaac and then were moving on to Port Gaverne later in the day. So we returned to Port Isaac and found them near the Boathouse gift shop by the Old School. Only Al was featured in this scene. He was waiting by the shop and nervously checking his watch. A light blue car came barreling up the hill. Al looked at it then ran down the hill. That was it. What was that all about? A bunch of us were watching the filming. We were not allowed to take pictures during filming, so the only photos I have are between takes. 

The next scene featured Al, an unknown male actor and presumably Doc Martin's baby. The lady in this photo is the baby's real mom.

The baby was pushed quickly up the hill in the "buggy" by the unknown male actor, accompanied by Al. They were headed towards the ice cream shop. They turned the corner and went up the hill. The ice cream shop is my favorite place to get Roskilly's Cornish ice cream (salty caramel, please!). Apparently baby #1 did not work out. He was too fussy. So they brought out baby #2. After the filming we were hanging out by the Old School. Baby #2 was there with his grandmother. I met him and we hit it off. Here is me with baby #2 (real name Zane).

Greetings from rainy Port Isaac!

Well here we are in Port Isaac day1. It is rainy and cool. No big surprise when thinking back on last summer. Where is this heat wave everyone was complaining about?!!

This evening we took a stroll around the neighborhood of Port Isaac. Then we chose The Golden Lion pub as a place for dinner. The fisherman's pie was great (a kind of fish casserole with mashed potatoes and carrots). In Doc Martin the pub is called The Crab and Lobster. The show has filmed inside the pub and on the outside terrace overlooking the harbor, according to our server. The ginger beer was tasty too. I had the non alcoholic drink. Tom's ginger beer had alcohol and was called "Crabbies".

Hanging out at the harbor was Al from Doc Martin. Very recognizeable! We are hoping there will be filming of Doc Martin tomorrow so we can watch!  Here's Al now:

All for now!

In Search of the Royal Easel...

In search of the royal easel... Well that is much easier than searching for the Holy Grail or the Ark of the Covenant.  At least we can be assured that the official birth announcement of the new royal prince  is posted on the easel outside of Buckingham Palace!

Here I am on the verge of another flight to the UK. My last trip across the pond was roughly a year ago. I seem to go there during momentous occasions. Last year was the summer Olympics. This year the birth of a prince!

In this travel blog I will document my adventures in the UK (Cornwall and London) and Poland this summer. Stay tuned for more!

p.s. With any luck the royal easel will be up several weeks. Can't go there directly. First off to Cornwall!