May 14th 2015: Cornwall: Treen

Monty the Motorhome has moved a few extra miles south and is now in the car park of Treen village, near Penzance. Well I say car park - actually it is a level grassy field adjacent to the car park and an area  probably used for overflow parking. It is not quite wild camping as we have paid £3.50 to stay overnight - but there are no facilities, apart from some public conveniences (20p charge) - however the view is tremendous, stretching right across Mount's Bay to the Lizard in the far distance.

We started the day off with a visit to Trengwainton Gardens, near Penzance. The place is stuffed with Rhododendrons, some of which have passed their best. However some species are in full bloom

The garden also has a number of sub tropical plants as it enjoys the mild climate of the far South West. Also of note is an award-winning tea-room which demanded our attention for lunch.

Then on to Treen. Once parked up we walked down to the coast at Penberth - only about 20 minutes from the site. This little coastal hamlet has several cottages and a couple of boats

While we were there an old salty fisherman appeared and started complaining about the weather to us. It looked perfectly ok to us - sun and a slight breeze. However he told us that conditions were not right to get out to sea with the boats. That got him into his stride and we ended up hearing his life story - 77 years man and boy in Penberth, young wife who ran off and left him to bring up two sons. He even managed to get in some scandal involving the lady owner of Treen village cafe. Eventually he moved on and so did we.

Penberth Cove

We walked along the coastal path, pausing at Logans Rock, where the National Trust are using Dartmoor ponies to keep the vegetation down and encourage diverse habitats for birds such as Choughs.

Porthcurno cove in the distance, with the Minack Theatre just out of picture to the left.

This evening it has been a chance to sample the real ales in The Logan Rock Inn - all St Austell brewery. Proper Job IPA, Tribute and HSD. All slipped down nicely. Oh and there was some food as well. Hake for Ruth, Monk Fish for me; while we both has Dorset Apple cake for pud.