So it was time for our coastal path trip away, picking the middle of June for the normally decent weather, and with it being still in school time the midweek walking should be quieter. Last year we had done a 3 day loop around Land’s End from Penzance to Pendeen, and this time we again wanted Penzance to be involved but this time heading south towards Lizard Point over 3 days. The weather was indeed good, not too hot but dry, sunny and plenty of superb views out to sea, the final day did have a forecast for rain but thankfully this edged out to 5pm before it came. But enough about the other two days walking, lets get on with this first leg from Penzance to Rinsey Head. We’d decided to drive down and park somewhere, then look to catch buses either at the start of the walk, the end or both. Looking at buses back out from Lizard Point they looked lengthy to say the least. Considering its about 10 miles to Helston and then another 10 on to Penzance, it would take 70 mins to get to Helston and another 2 hours to get to Penzance as the bus went via Redruth on the north coast!! So this would leave us with a long bus journey at the end of the walk, we’d initially thought about the train down to Penzance, leaving the car at home, but this 3 hour bus journey, plus then a 2 hour train, meant public transport all the way was not an option. However parking in Helston, meant a direct bus to Penzance was possible (not via Redruth), and a 70 minute bus journey at the end. Much more palatable.

So that was decided and a nice roadside parking spot was located in Helston, a 5 minute walk away from the bus stop. Now the drive down started very well and we were 30 minutes ahead of time, however the horrific roadworks on the A30 at Carland Cross struck us, and I missed the turn off for Truro again for a second year running. We pulled up at our parking spot with 10 minutes to spare. I ran to the bus stop without tying my walking boots and carrying a food bag alongside my rucksack, arriving a minute or two before the bus. Linda was more graceful and had the majority of items stored away properly. The bus turned up and a £2 fare to Penzance was purchased, taking the opportunity on the bus to organise my bag a bit better and have a small coffee from our flask. At the train station we got off and headed for the coastal path, a long concrete promenade around Mount’s Bay towards the towering St Michael’s Mount. Now this would be my first look at this much photographed island, so we set off following the train line to wards St Michael’s Mount. Its a fair bit further than it looks to get around to Marazion, so we stopped on the front for a quick coffee and then had lunch sat on top of a rock by the causeway out to the Mount, watching people wading through the incoming tide. Next we left Marazion and started along more familiar terrain of the coastal path, as the route led us around fields, into coves and above beaches, but never rising too far from the sea level. After the rocky Cudden Head we started to descend towards Praa Sands and its golden beach before spotting our final target and the house on Rinsey Head. We would turn inland there and head up the road to our overnight accommodation, an Airbnb place in Rinsey Croft. We ate in the fine pub, the Lion and Lamb, in Ashton that evening and enjoyed a few beers. A long day considering we’d spent 3 hours in a car and on a bus and then a 10 mile walk along the coast, so we were pleased to climb into our comfy bed that night.

Start – Penzance

Route – South West Coastal Path – St Michael’s Mount – Marazion – The Greeb – Perran Sands – Cudden Point – Prussia Cove – Kenneggy Sand – Praa Sands – Rinsey Head – Rinsey Croft

Distance – 10.5 miles  Start time – 10.30am  Time taken – 6hrs 15mins  Highest Point – Rinsey 85 metres

Weather – Some sun, some cloud