Drimnagh to Cornwall

In the last 7 days me and my gf have driven from Drimnagh to Lands End and back again, over 1,100 miles  – all in a 1973 VW campervan – madness, but the best holiday I’ve had in a while.

We saw so much of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and South Wales but hardly any of it at the same time. I would go back tomorrow in a heartbeat. The places which spring to mind as my favourites would be Minack Theatre and Porthcurno beach in Cornwall, Glastonbury in Somerset, Exmoor National Park and the killer 25% gradient hills around Lynmouth and Linton in Devon – scarier then any roller coaster, especially in an old campervan with poor brakes -  the alcohol consumed after surviving those hills was an appreciation at being alive let me tell you.

The weather was a mixed bag, pouring rain one minute, scorching sunshine the next- swimming in the sea was always cold to start with but always worth it.

Anyhow – BIRDS.

With all the driving and sightseeing having to be squez into 7 days there wasn’t much time to spare for taking photos of the birds but on the ferry over the Irish Sea I got some great sightings of Manx Shearwaters – loads of them and some photos…

Irish Ferries - Rosslare to Pembroke

There were hundreds of Manx Shearwaters, sitting on the water and also flying around.

Double click on this for better detail of Manx Shearwaters in flight

Close up - Manx Shearwater

Close up Manx Shearwater. Having only ever seen these sea birds from a distance it was a real thrill to get close ups.

Double click on this to see detail of 3 Juvenile Gannets with the Shearwaters

1 Shearwater and 5 adult Gannets

There were hundreds of Shearwaters, it was nearly a constant to see them from the ferry. I also saw some Terns, though I couldn’t tell which type they were.

Greater Black backed gull

and I’m not sure what gull this is…

Double click - Juvenile Greater Black backed gull? But wouldn't its tail be all white? (Updated id = (thanks guys) FULMAR - not a gull at all.

When we got closer inland I started to see Cormorants, Shags, Herring Gulls, Black headed Gulls and Kittiwakes.

Other photos from the week ….

Common or Pygmy shrew, I'm not sure, seen on a walk around Minack theatre, Porthcurno. Can't work out whats going on with its ear - if its a growth or its natural.

Kestrel in Porthcurno, Cornwall

If you look in the middle of these gulls you can see some Sandwich terns in the middle

The black bill and black crest suggest Sandwich tern to me - these were taken in Duncannon, Co. Wexford (on our detour back from the ferry). I think you can just make out the yellow tip to the beaks.

Finally, photos of a few of the stunning locations we passed through over the last 7 days.

Mumbles, South Wales, lovely seaside town with a national park 5 mins away from the main road.

Herring Gulls in Padstow, there were several warning signs about not feeding them, but we saw several people feeding them Rick Steins fish n chips.

2 women climbing Cheddar Gorge, I heard a Peregrine really loudly from here.

Scrumpy cider orchard in Somerset

Exmoor National Park, Devon. We drove from the blue sea up to this point. There were worse hills to come around Lynmouth.

Lynmouth, Devon. See those hills - the roads matched that gradient - the most scared I've been in 20 years of driving.

Harlyn Bay, Cornwall - Sunday afternoon, peak season - we thought by avoiding Newquay we'd avoid the crowds - so imagine what Newquay would have been like.

St. Ives, Cornwall

down on the beach in St Ives, Cornwall

With more killer 'sea'gull warning signs

Penzance outdoor pool - it was too cold and rainy for a swim.

Pothcurno, Cornwall

Minack theatre, built by a woman called Rowena Cade and two other men - they built the theatre into the rock at the bottom of Rowena's garden - amazing.

The other side of Porthcurno Bay, Cornwall

Lands End, Cornwall

The mean machine

Tenby, South Wales

If you’re thinking about a trip around the South West of England, you will not be disappointed – just make sure you go longer for a week! I really wanted to go through Dartmoor on our way back but we ran out of time and had to take the motorways which was a shame, but we did get to pop into Bristol which was good.

So, no photos of the Dartford warbler or the Cornish Chough which I kept my eyes open for but didn’t manage to see – this time.