You may wonder what we are doing skipping. Well it’s because we’ve had some clear blue skies at last – I’ve even had to put some sunscreen on!

We are permanently watching the weather forecast to try to find gaps in the ceaseless clouds and rain. Todays forecast said rain by early afternoon, so we set off earlier than usual to walk down to the nearest beach and then along the coastal path to Looe.

Typical Cornish lane

We initially walked down a steep, typically Cornish, lane, with banks bedecked with cowslips, to reach the small beach at Millendreath. It being Easter week there were surprising numbers of children enjoying the sand, despite the overcast weather and cold wind. It’s this sort of upbringing that results in the British wandering around Spain and Italy in October when all the locals are in full winter gear.

The dogs were not allowed on this beach which always surprises me in England given that they are always cleaned by the tide twice a day. The beach had a nice collection of buckets and spades, free to use if you made a donation to the RNLI – the first time we’ve ever seen this and a good idea.

Millendreath beach

Following Millendreath there was a very steep climb onto what would have been the clifftops, were it not for the endless bungalows obscuring the view and then down again to another small beach which was more amenable to dogs. The dogs had a good run round and Sarah did some rockpooling with both the dogs tagging along. Melek is so small that to keep up with Sarah’s scrambling over the boulders he is becoming quite an accomplished rock climber!

Plaidy beach

One of the problems with the coastal path in this part of the world is that the coastline is punctuated by steep sided valleys, which meant that we had another steep climb, this time with better views from the cliff tops, before dipping down into Looe itself.

Looe beach – no dogs allowed!

Looe is a small fishing port cum tourist centre where the houses climb up either sides of a valley with a river running through the valley bottom and lined with fishing boats. It reminded us both a bit of Whitby. School holidays ensured the town was busy without being overcrowded. I suspect at the height of summer it may become unbearable.

Looe harbour

As we wandered around the town, instead of the expected rain, the clouds parted and we were greeted by the first clear blue sky we have seen since leaving home. In celebration I decided to eat my first Cornish pasty, which I ate overlooking the harbour while being scrutinised by a number of wily looking Herring Gulls. I suspect it may not be my last.

Looe complete with hungry Herring Gulls

After an hour or so enjoying the sun in Looe we made our way back to camp. The two miles back were nearly all uphill. All this coastal walking is developing climbing muscles in Sarah and I who are more used to the flatlands of the east of England!

Back at Basil we got our outside chairs out for the first time this year and enjoyed an hour soaking up the sun, reading and drinking tea. At one point I even felt as if I might be getting burnt and so the factor 50 also had its first outing.

No we haven’t suddenly moved to Spain!!!

Tomorrow’s weather forecast promises rain again, so we’ve got or sun hats and short ready!