Stormy seas and high winds and winter sunshine – where better to enjoy New Years Day than on the South West Coast Path. A loose plan for the day – a lunchtime booking at the majestic Mullion Cove Hotel (centre of the picture and you can just glimpse the rooftop) followed by a walk maybe, depending on the weather and the inclinations of a small toddler.
Lunch was utter perfection, a small menu is always such a good indicator, service excellent – swift and attentive, the view from the dining room so amazing we were compelled after to don our thermals and go out to explore.
The small child suitably nourished soon fell asleep and we walked on, past Polurrian Cove and on towards Poldhu Cove, watching the waves crash onto the rocks and sea foam drifting in the air like snow. High on the clifftops we stumbled upon the Marconi Centre sign and a towering monument, memory to what was here in 1901
Learn about Marconi and the first radio signal
Looking across into the field we saw remnants of a building and concrete posts and the Marconi Centre – just waiting to be explored and as it turned out we were the first visitors for 2018.
Manned by amateur radio volunteers we were overwhelmed with the enthusiasm and knowledge we were welcomed with. This was the place where the Italian inventor Marconi received a radio signal from the Isle of White and proved that radio waves would travel over the horizon. A short film to enjoy and plenty of information to absorb it was a Visitor Centre definitely not to be missed.
The option of continuing down to the café at Poldhu Cove and its promised teas and homemade cakes was an enticing one but with the quickening wind speed and darkness soon to follow we retraced our steps back to the welcoming Mullion Cove Hotel and rewarded ourselves with the perfect cream tea.
The Majestic Mullion Cove Hotel
Scones warmed in the oven, (and we are discerning scone eaters to say the least) more jam and cream than we could possibly eat and we felt refreshed, ready for the 3/4 hour journey back home to Boscrowan. What finer way to start 2018!
