May 10 In Betjamin Country

glorious beaches the reward for little water when entering

Rock Beaches

The Ferry

Rumline at Padstow

Stay within the marked Channel or risk grounding

Wight, Portland, Plymouth, Lundy, four Admiralty Chart Folios, we rounded Lands End and are now at the mouth of the Bristol Channel, good progress due to favorable winds, yesterday was a day to rest and Padstow was a good choice with its safe walled harbour and a pretty village catering to tourists. Shelter earned by passing the treacherous Doom Bar and a silted estuary. Stay in the Channel is my best advice and arrive no sooner than 2 hours either side of high water. Once in you are safe and snug you will be rewarded by the most beautiful beaches and the culinary delights Padstow offers. Good food and pretty coastline does life get any better!
Before the Camel silted up Padstow rivalled Bristol as an emigration port but now largely due to Rick Stein it is a mecca for foodie tourists. Stein has no fewer than 14 establishments in this tiny port and other restaurants have sprung up in his shadow with equally good food. Theo serves a perfect cappuccino at Java and provides internet and friendly conversation. Steins Cafe is more affordable than the Big Restaurant but equally good and without fuss and pretension. I forgot to brush my hair and had a diesel stained fleece on and was served with a smile and not sat near the toilets. Thank you.

Across the Estuary a landing craft ferry ride away are the National Trust beaches of Rock. All I can say is breathtaking vast expanses of golden sand, lined with huge sand dunes, dramatic and wonderful. If you could guarantee the weather no one would visit the Caribbean. Let the pictures speak for themselves. Nestled behind the dunes is St Enodoc church where Jonh Betjamin is buried. He loved it here and I can understand why.
Today a decision will be made straight to Milford Haven or a stop at Lundy? It will be difficult to resist an island called Puffin Island.