Golant weekend
February 2004
Over the weekend of 13th to 15th February Steve J organised for a large group of hostellers to spend the weekend at Golant youth hostel near Fowey, on the south coast of Cornwall. Some of the group drove to the hostel on Friday night and as we arrived in the dark it was not until the following day that I could fully appreciate its fantastic setting.
The hostel is located in a quiet valley and is approached along a bumpy half mile long road, which rapidly leads you further into its secluded location. From the large garden you can enjoy a view of the fields sweeping away to meet the forest on the valley floor. Tame badgers appeared after dinner on Saturday, when scraps from the meal were put out in the garden. The hostel’s ginger cat got there first and did not move when two badgers lumbered up to share in the takings.
On both Saturday and Sunday we benefited from good weather which meant clear skies and spectacular coastal views. For those readers who remember ‘Poldark’ you could almost visualise Ross and Demelza and the shipwrecks that took place on this rocky and unforgiving coastline.
On Saturday the walk began from Fowey and on reaching Polkerris, with its pub on the beach, we stopped for lunch. This was a lovely place to stop as we could sit on the beach and enjoy the sea view. During the afternoon we walked past Readymoney Cove and St Catherine’s Point, and returned to Fowey via an inland route.
On Sunday we caught the Bodinnick car ferry from Fowey and walked along the coast in the opposite direction from the day before. We achieved our goal of reaching Polperro for lunch (along a path mainly made up of steps!) and were rewarded with the sight of a very attractive fishing harbour. After an hour spent here we returned again via an inland route.
Anne J
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