Day 19 - Penzance to Paignton / Torquay

Actual Miles Driven Today - 199

KELMARSH YOUNG FARMERS, TUPPING IN TORQUAY

Young Farmers do What Young Farmers do, and they had managed to not get arrested.

I met these fine fellows at the Waters Edge Hotel, Torquay, my final destination today, just as I was going to bed. 

I promised them Top Billing here as a token of their Generous Donations to H4H. 

Well Done Lads.

http://northantsyfc.btck.co.uk/People/Kelmarsh%20YFC

To say that I, or anyone else in the Torquay Hotel got a wink of sleep that night would probably be deemed an understatement. 

Someone even 'Tupped' the Fire Alarm at 5am (Sunday Morning)

However, I still have to make the journey to get there. 

The Green Goddess is packed and ready to set off.

Today would be known as 'Four Ferries Day' 

To stay near to the tricky South Cornwall coast, today I would be using The King Harry Ferry, The Bodinnick Ferry at Fowey, The Torpoint Ferry at Plymouth and the Dartmouth Higher Ferry.

Just along the road from my B&B is the Ferry Terminal for The Scilly Isles.

Winding my way Along the Penzance Coast Road.

Work in Progress with this Boat.

Out across the Inner Harbour Bridge.

The Old Lifeboat House. 

Approaching St Michael's Mount in the distance. 

On my way there I made a slow pass through Marazion trying to get a decent shot of St. Michael's Mount and failed. 

The nearest that I would get as I pass by.

St Michael's Mount

Arriving at Porthleven

Porthleven Harbour

I would have loved to have had the time to stop of a Coffee or Ice Cream just here, but no time? 

The Lakeside Pleasure pond at Helston, complete with Pedalos.

But first I would be travelling to The Lizard Point and then on to Falmouth by skirting around the Holford River via Goonhilly Down.

I was fortunate to just come across HMS Seahawk.

At Helston I made a visit to what used to be know as RAF Culdrose but is now called HMS Seahawk after the aircraft of the same name. 

The Security Guard was very helpful in that he escorted Mog & I through the base to reach the Seahawk for a photo shoot.

At the Lizard

He then told me that there was a Morgan dealer in his home village of Perranwell. 

I told him that I would be heading there after my Lizard trio (in search of actress Jenny Agutter but I never found and sign of her.)

When I arrive at these 'dead end' roads I have adopted the strategy of continuing into the areas where traffic is banned. 

As yet no one has challenged me. 

It is a rugged old coastline between here and Penzance.

The Lifeboat House below.

At the Lizard the views are spectacular even though the road is narrow to get there.

Back in the village for a comfort break and I was given a few more donations while there. 

I wondered if I might have bumped into Jenny Agutter of Railway Children fame, who lives somewhere on the Lizard. 

Chance would have been a fine thing, but no luck there. 

I was worried if I would find any Fords on this trip. Here is the first one and it is bone dry.

More Single Track lanes with always the fear of meeting someone coming towards me. 

There is only one direction to take here.

The road over Goonhilly down is only narrow in places and proved to be another good driving road.

Renowned for the giant Radio Telescope Dishes, there are a few across the field here. 

I did not record the name of this town or what the interesting statue was all about.

Another sighting of one of the Satellite Dishes.

The Giant Satellite Dish at Goonhilly Earth Station

I spotted the Giant Satellite dishes in the distance but while moving I only managed one decent side on shot. 

I later discovered that the self timer was activated for a one second delay. 

I wondered why I was getting so many Dashboard Shots.

My first sighting of the Helford River as I am now heading down river to reach Falmouth 

A sharp turn to the right required here.

By taking snaps of these signs it did help to remind me of my route later.

A sea view at last near Maenporth. 

This part of Cornwall has many river inlets to get around. 

Falmouth is not too far ahead now.

Approaching Swanpool Beach

Swanpool is one of a few small beaches along this road.

I just catch a view of a massive Oil Tanker sitting at anchor in  Falmouth Bay. 

In no time at all I was running into Falmouth for a trip around the bay.

Falmouth Bay. I made a short stop to take these two photos.

Heading into town along Cliff Road and past the Castle Beach hotels. 

Skirting Pendennis Castle the road drops down to Falmouth Docks

Falmouth Lifeboat Station

 Leaving Falmouth, I was then backtracking to find Perranwell Station. 

The map deceived me in that I thought it was quite far away. 

The opposite was true and I was there in a trice.

A nice Plus 8 in the garage.

Plenty of stock in the show room for such a remote dealership.

Being a Saturday Alan and Ann Ireland were having a day off so it was who made me a welcome coffee. 

I parked The Green Goddess next to the Perranwell Hire Car which was read for some visitors to collect this morning.

Customers were arriving soon so I took more photos and left for my first ferry crossing. 

The King Harry Ferry. 

The route to the ferry was shorter than I thought and through some pretty country lanes. 

Just about to pass the Tower at the Notional Trust's Trelissick Garden

The gardens cover a massive area along this narrow high walled lane. 

Just passing under the footbridge which crosses the lane.

Arriving at the end of the ferry queue .

With such a small ferry and this queue I expect to be here for a while. 

Actually it was not that long a I made it onto the second crossing.

The King Harry Ferry Road

The Wheelhouse

Looking up and down the River Fal.

On the Ferry.

The kind fare collector donated my £5.00 fee to Help for Heroes.

Swallows & Amazons ?

Our Skipper

Once off of the ferry it is another short run to St Mawes.

Typical of my navigation, I had entered the peninsular of  St Mawes the opposite war around.

However, this still allowed me to get into St Mawes, another pretty place with narrow streets, without a major diversion.

St Mawes from across the bay

Another view of the River Fal.

Into St Mawes town.

Approaching the Inner Harbour.

The Pier Car Park. 

No time to stop here, so I drive on around the peninsular. 

I can just see the Castle on the headland ahead. 

That is where I am trying to get to. 

Another 'Over my head' shot as I eventually pass the St Mawes Castle on my left.

I miss a turning for my next visit to Mevagissey so I had to double back 5 miles from St Austell.

Through the small town of Grampound. on the A390.

Just arriving at Mevagissey where, once again, I ignore the request to park and walk and keep on going down the hill into the town.

It is still quite a way to go to the harbour.

Wow. They are very narrow streets and with no footpaths.

Just wide enough to get a narrow car through. 

It was worth it as I passed the restriction sign and proceeded through the town ending up on a narrow harbour wall heading for the Lighthouse.

At Mevagissey Harbour Side just about to turn right following the Public Parking sign's arrow.

It was only the Pay & Display sign that encouraged me to carry on past this point.

I was a little concerned as the harbour side strip seemed to get narrower and narrower.

Turn Left - Turn Right - where is this parking area?

With no where else to go, I see a car bonnet ahead.

Thankfully, there was just one parking place available which would allow me to reverse out of safely.

I take a few moments to take this photo of the route I had taken to get here.

After tracing my steps around the harbour wall without any passing places I follow the same route out of town.

Following the coast road heading for Fowey where I will be taking my second ferry from Fowey to Bodinnick.

A view ahead to the Par Sands Holiday Park

More Narrow Lanes towards Fowey.

Into Fowey.

The next Ferry crosses from Fowey to Bodinnick so it is called the Bodinnick Ferry.

The Ferry berthed at Bodinnick.

A few local photos while waiting in the Ferry Queue.

On the ferry now looking up River Fowey.

A different Wheelhouse to the King Harry one.

It is another very short crossing. Almost there.

My turn to run down the ramp.

On my way to Polperro, I took this overhead shot as I could see that there was a vintage car following me but never coming close enough to see what it was.

At Polperro I also passed the restricted access sign but could go no further than the electric passenger tram turning place.

 I cut my losses and left for West & East Looe and the Torpoint Ferry.

Continuing on following one of the local Trams. 

I now understand about the narrow roads. Would I have to return along here?

At the first opportunity I turn and head out of town.

Heading down the hill into West Looe before crossing the river bridge in East Looe

Now to continue on for TorPoint and the Third Ferry of the day which crosses to Devonport, Plymouth.

On the way I made a short diversion to HMS Raleigh for another photo shoot with their signpost.

Arriving at the Ferry Terminal I could see the ferry, however, I was in trouble again as I passed quickly through the Red Lane Control Light onto the slipway.

As the ferry gates closed a shrill two fingered whistle rang out with a loud 'HOY' Get Back Round Ere' 'You passed two red lights'.

I know, says I, I was trying to catch the ferry. ( I park the car and go for a walk until the next ferry arrived.)

Waiting for the next ferry.

It was now nearing 7pm again and I still needed to get to the Dartmouth Ferry.

 The run through Plymouth was the usual City traffic and evening rush hour crawl. 

The roads layout has changed since I used to visit the Jaeger Ladies Factory, where the building is still located on Union Street.

The once upon a time Jaeger Tailoring Plymouth Factory

Passing Plymouth Barbican area.

Part of Plymouth Harbour. 

Driving through Modbury heading for Kingswear.

The Kingsbridge Town Sign.

Running down the hill into Kingsbridge.

Running along the Quayside in Kingsbridge.

The view across the Quay further down.

Heading into Torcross.

The village of Torcross was the base for the D Day Landing exercises.  

I travelled through Torcross and along the infamous Slapton Sands where a disastrous D Day Practice Landing went horribly wrong.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise_Tiger

The old Tank was extracted from the sea as a memorial to the hundreds who died there.

The road runs along the bay almost all of the way to Dartmouth. 

Most of this road was washed away in a storm.

Running up the hill towards the village of  Strete I took this overhead shot of the trapped water of Slapton Ley. 

Through Strete Village center.

Heading towards the village of Blackpool. 

The second one of that name on this trip.

Blackpool Sands.

A side view of Blackpool Sands.

Into Stoke Fleming.

Running down the hill towards Dartmouth and the last of my four Ferry Crossings.

The first of Dartmouth's narrow streets.

One of the most difficult places to park a car.

Almost at riverside level now and a short distance from the upper ferry.

There are two Car Ferry's in Dartmouth. I'll pass the smaller one which takes just a couple of cars towed by a separate boat. I am going for the larger Chain Ferry. 

At Dartmouth I headed for the Dart Marina Hotel as I had been offered a cup of tea by an internet colleague. 

A Harley Davidson Group were staying in the hotel.

As I was only 3 hours late and my friend was not there. 

I found out later that he had never been there.

Because of the One Way system and the ferry queue I have to drive back along Dartmouth Riverside and come at the ferry queue from down the hill. 

The view across the River Dart towards Kingswear.

After the circuit of the town I am into the ferry queue and then eventually I take my turn on the ferry.

 I am on a River Ferry once again. The Higher Ferry.

Yet another Wheelhouse design on this larger ferry.

The country lane from the Higher Ferry eventually brings me into the Outskirts of Brixham.

I am heading down through the town to reach the harbour.

The Bunting is out so there must have been a special occasion? 

- Could it be for me?

At last I have arrived at Brixham Harbour

My last visit, before finding my Hotel in Torquay, was to Brixham where one circuit of the town would be good enough.

This was supposed to be a photo of the Replica Ship, The Famous Golden Hind which is  moored alongside this building.

I am now on the coast road into Paignton and onto Torquay, my final destination for the day.

Arriving at Paignton Sea Front where I take a Left turn and head for Torquay.

Passing the Paignton Festival Theater.

Passing the common and looking towards the Redcliffs Hotel where we spent many pleasant family holidays in the past.

A sharp left here into the one way system which will take me out of town.

Into Torquay to find my border Hotel for the night.

I arrived at the hotel at 8pm, and only managed to park with the aid of the Hall Porter.

As this hotel only provided Bed & Breakfast, I checked in and went to another nearby hotel for a lovely dinner in their comfortable restaurant.

There I met a group of Korean War Veterans, from a variety of Regiments, who were staying there, having one of their many annual Reunions. 

We sat and exchanged tales over a pleasant pint of beer. 

As I said my farewells, I received a very Generous Donation for H4H from one of them.