Cornwall to Wales

Newquay proved to be a good base for further exploration throughout Cornwall. We rode down to Lands End and had the obligatory photo taken with the bike at the signpost. The wind was blowing so hard the seagulls were flying backwards.The arrival of the Olympic Torch was 2 days away and the whole south coast route was adorned with Union Jacks and bunting. A visit to the Minack Theatre just north of Lands End was recommended and it did not disappoint. Google it and be impressed by the labour of one very determined lady. It is simply stunning.

We followed the Coastal (B) road north and in places this was barely wide enough for the bike let alone a campervan and lorry which came head to head. Coastal ports at Falmouth, Penzance and St Ives were all interesting and distinctive. You could spend a week dropping into and out of all of the little bays along these rugged coastlines.

We left Newquay for the run north visiting Port Isaac on the way. For those in the know (not us) this is the setting for the fictitious Portwenn of the BBC series Doc Martin. This fact had this picturesque bay swarming with camera toting location spotters. On this fine Sunday the roads of North Cornwall and Devon were also swarming with motorbikes breaking out after the cold and wet northern winter. They were intrigued to see our Australian numberplate and bemused on how far we had traveled.

Despite warnings to the contrary Wales has treated us with fine weather throughout. This small but beautiful country deserves to be better recognized as a holiday destination. From a motorcycling perspective the roads are in good order and far less populated than England. Their road gradings however only extend to (A) and (B) grade. The (A) roads are invariably smooth, 2 lane line-marked and well maintained. The (B) roads however vary from just below the (A) standard to what in Australia we would describe as goat tracks. These roads are often populated with great numbers of sheep which display the same level of intelligence as their Australian cousins. The rewards of traveling these roads however is the stunning scenery in very rugged terrain. The run around the five reservoirs of the Elan Valley was especially enjoyable as were the mountain descents into Aberystwyth and Tregaron.

 We have now based ourselves in North Wales in the Snowdonia National Park and look forward to more great weather and roads before we head onto Liverpool and the ferry crossing to the Isle of Man.