2nd DEC. DODMAN POINT to near PAR SANDS and POLKERRIS

This is the start of our fifth month.
Usual routine. Noticed my nose was not so runny but a little chesty. We got going ,packing up in still air,  it felt pretty dark getting out the tent. Cloud tried to dum down the sun rise and mostly succeeded. I cleaned my teeth,  not always a daily deed but my mouth tasted of garlic.
Shetland ponies looked unphased by our presence as we left the head.
In less than an hour we were walking into Gorran Haven. The post office was closed and I would guess folk were enjoying a Sunday lay in,  morning coffee and toast.  We saw no one although there appeared alot of holiday cottages in this area. Interested to know how many folk live here full time or have holiday homes. Alot of places have a cliche model boat in the window.
Leaving suburban Gorran Haven was a sign said 'Access to Coast Path only' ...we felt privileged to have the access. Maybe someone pops out and whacks you over the head if you are not coastal walking. I noticed loads of CCTV and grand design houses , there is so many expensive houses here.
The route made its way passed grassy undulating common with dog pooh bags,  full, hanging artistically off hawthorne bushes , must be a Cornish tradition as seems a regular feature.Josh thought they would make great water style bombs...teenagers!
At Chapel Point an idylic, almost italian looking large house sat. It looked empty,  like another holiday bankers home.
We entered Portmellon,  a mix of old and new very expensive glass fronted houses and more holiday appartments - prices said £850 for a week in August to less than £300 in Jan.
Mevagissey was a beautiful working harbour,  fishermen milling about with there boats. I went to get a snack at the newspaper shop but everything was so expensive that I bought a tub of raspberry ripple ice cream much to J's delight (£1.50). It was not that late, about 10.30. A few bods wondered by, we got strange looks as we dug into our ice cream mountains. It was not the best warming food,  but we were in need of high calories and would get toasty while walking.
We certainly did need it,  the path to Black Head was wetter and in places hard going , mostly done in drizzle.
When we came to Duporth we diverted toward StAustell to find an Asda nearby for supplies. We also hoped it would have a cafe,  it did!
We spent about an hour in Asda nearby having bake potatoes and beans with a pot of tea for two. It drizzled outside. I bought cheese,  bics at ridiculously cheap prices and bargain 12 mince pies which we ate with our tea in the cafe,all 12!
We left ,back into heavier rain,  at least it was not driven. We winded our way back to the coast via Charlestown. Josh got his neglected umbrella out,  its auto mechanism was seized and eventually abandoned.
We walked above Carlyon Bay next to a golferless golf course looking down on a ruined holiday complex on the sea front below.
We sheltered for a while in a concrete military box on Spi t Point,  a brief respite from the rain and a chance to examine the coast map and possible stop sites. Walking on around a big china clay works and then a mill/grain drying plant.
Light was going and frustratingly the route seemed to go anywhere but direct around Parr Sands. It was obviously we were not going to make our targeted Gribben Head and just before Polkerris we stopped and pitched in  drizzle on a wide piece of clear grass next to the path. We were again pleased to stop. It was 4.30.
Nothing special happened , we had tea and then J got the pasta on with an olive tomatoe sauce with cheese...very good. Another  tea as drizzle hit the tent again. Radio 4 on and route checked for tomorrow ,and blogging.....hooray!