Yesterday, Fri 12 Aug we got out the kayaks and explored up the Helford. Our ultimate aim was to use the flooding tide to assist us to Gweek where we would stop, have an evening meal and wait for the tide to turn and use the ebb to take us back to our boat. Gweek is about 3 miles upstream of our position in the Helford.
First stop though was the picturesque Frenchman’s Creek, evocatively brought to life in the novel of the same name by Daphne Du Maurier. The creek itself is about half a mile long and once through the entrance the steep wooded sides quickly enclose you and remove all of the bustle of the pleasure boats on the river. Nestled away in the small nooks and crannies are the remains of once large sailing barges – maybe one of these was rotting away when Daphne Du Maurier passed this way. The girls are now reading the novel, and we will get them to write a short comparison of their memories of the creek compared to the description in the novel. Should cover the English home schooling for a week or so.
After our exploration, we then continued up river via Tremayne Quay and Boat House – built in 1847 in preparation for a visit to Trelowarren by Queen Victoria. Unfortunately the royal barge never made it, but it is now NT property and the quay has public access. After a bit of exploring and geocaching we continued on our way to Gweek. Arriving at the hamlet it is daunting seeing all the large barges and classic boats towering over you. Eventually we found our way to the bridge and set off to get food at the pub – before we were distracted and diverted by the Friday Pizza Van. Every Friday in Gweek the Pizza Van parks by the village green and serves up scrumptious pizzas and garlic bread. Opposite was the lovely village shop that had amazing homemade cakes/cookies and yummy ice creams – dinner and pudding in one place, all sat by the river with the swans, cygnets and other happy holiday makers.
After a tiring paddle home (albeit with tidal assistance) a very tired family (about 7 miles kayaking) returned to Valent in time for an amazing moonrise.
I hope all the repairs go well and that you can soon be on your way!
I’m learning lots of things about places I’ve not heard of before. Good to have food reviews in there too. Also very impressed that you got the English assignment covered! Consider teaching when you get back!! Shy x
Will and Suzy and girls, that looks like the absolutely PERFECT day. You are making the most of your enforced stopover in the UK. I particularly loved the comment about the home schooling. Too true – everything you will do with the girls over the next few months/years will be such a great life lesson. And none of it can be found in a classroom.
So right Robyn. The girls still need a good sleep to recover from the paddling.