An hour south of Bristol is Cheddar Gorge. About 4 miles long and up to 138 m high, it's the largest in England. Britain's oldest complete skeleton was discovered here in 1903, dating from 7150 BC. DNA tests reveal some descendants of 'Cheddar Man' still live locally! It's also full of caves, in which Cheddar cheese was once stored before the pungent odour attracted too many rats!
Cheddar Gorge Jasmijn 2
The cliff-top trail passes through numerous blackberry fields.
Then we proceeded to the medieval city of Wells, set for the brilliant comedy movie Hot Fuzz. I think I recall this scene from the movie.
Wells Bishop's Palace 1
Wells Bishop's Palace 2
Wells cathedral
The regal church cat appears to secretly run everything.
Then we proceeded to Lynmouth in Exmoor National Park on the south-west coast. This is the harbour at medium tide.
And low tide.
We walked the cliff trail to the Valley of the Rocks.
Exmoor coast northwards 1
Exmoor coast northwards 2
Exmoor coast Jasmijn 1
Exmoor coast Andrew 2
Andrew T, this one's for you!
Exmoor coast Jasmijn rock frame
Exmoor pony
Then it was on to visit our friends in Falmouth.
Our friends Roy & Rosalie.
We'd finally found the sun, and incredibly, despite the freezing water, the English were keen to get wet!
Falmouth coast path
Then we proceeded on to Penzanze, and the beautiful former fishing hamlet of Mousehole. Evening is definitely the time to visit.
Mousehole harbour yachts
Mousehole harbour yacht
The next day we explored the vertiginous Minack Theatre, perched on the side of the cliffs not far from Land's End. Built by an eccentric English lady, this open air venue is hit by the full force of Atlantic storms, and is the ultimate setting for plays such as Shakespeare's Tempest!
Minack Theatre Cribba Pt 1
But on this day rare sunshine had brought both locals and tourists out in force.
Minack Theatre stage
Whale or basking sharks are often spotted from the cliffs. A black fin rising from the water brought us rushing, and the Theatre was ignored whilst we followed the lazy meandering double-fins of what looked like an 8 foot shark back and forth through the water close to the cliffs. Jasmijn's binoculars were finally put to good use!
Sadly, we had to leave the shark, because time was pressing and we planned to walk about 10 km around the very south-west tip of the UK, to Land's End - the western-most point.
Gwennap Head trail southwards
Gwennap Head beach
Gwennap Head flowers
Jasmijn was well camouflaged.
The cliffs were alive with climbers.
I had to content myself with a spot of extreme jogging.
Gwennap Head island 2
Gwennap Head sea cave
Acclimatising to freezing water, in case it rains in Newcastle during my half marathon two weeks later.
Gwennap Head caves
Finally, we reached Land's End!
After camping at the youth hostel there we headed to St Michael's Mount near Penzance, the next day.
The path to the castle is open only a few hours daily, at low tide.
St Michael's Mount Jasmijn
St Michael's Mount beach serpent
