Motoring Holidays
The Cornish Coves
To attempt a complete tour of Devon and Cornwall from one centre is likely to prove so fatiguing in the matter of long distances that the would-be visitor should, for his own comfort, aim at seeing one county at a time. This can very easily be arranged, if two centres be chosen like Bodmin in Cornwall and Okehampton in Devon. Although both arc in a sense main towns, the avoidance of which has previously been suggested, they are purely agricultural centres and therefore give one a good insight into the habits and customs of this part of the country. There is, too, the advantage in each of a first-class hotel.
The greater and most interesting part of Cornwall lies west of Bodmin. The longest runs by car---to Land's End and the Lizard—are only slightly more than fifty miles, and either coast can be reached in less than half an hour. A strenuous day's run is, therefore, out of the question in this district, and one's time can almost wholly be spent exploring the real beauties of the Cornish "Riviera " and its innumerable
COWS.
One of the first and easiest places to visit is Fowcy. Readers of that famous novel, Troy Town, need no introduction to this picturesque little seaport, lying, on the western side of at delightful landlocked estuary. From Bodmin, it is reached by a direct road which is annually being improved. In the main, Cornish roads are better-surfaced than Devon roads, though side roads to the sea-coast villages and the coves arc invariably narrow_ and winding, and end in a steep descent to the sea. For safe driving, good brakes arc neemory-.
The pretty double bay of St. Austell and Mcvagisscy is adjacent to Fowev, but it must be reached by way of St. Austell. This road continues through Gorran, Portloe, to the Roseland peninsula, where the quiet, peaceful village of St. Mawes faces Falmouth across the estuary. A ferry crosses between the latter places ; but motorists often prefer to get back to the main Falmouth road from St. Mawes, despite the distance.
From.Falmouth one carries on to Helston and from this many- any tiny hamlets and coves are easily accessiblei
including those of Mullion, Kynance, Coverack, Cadgwith, as well as the most southernly harbour in England at Portleven. Continuing along the edge of Mount's Bay through Penzance, one arrives at a coastal road bordering the sea right round to Newquay, which takes in practically every place of interest in the district.
Two further coastal roads which should be negotiated are, firstly, between Newquay and Padstow by way of Watergate Bay and St. Columb (on the main road), then back to the coast through St. Ervan, St. Merry-n, by Constantine Bay and Trevose Head into Padstow, and, secondly, between Wadebridge and Boscastle. The latter road passes through St. Minver, Port Isaac and Tintagel and, like the first road, is very twisting and particularly narrow in parts, thus demanding extra care in driving. With the exception of that strip of road between Hayle and Redruth, the main road around Cornwall cannot be bettered.-1 any part of England for either its width or surface.
This part of Cornwall abounds in places of historic interest, and, therefore, it is as well to decide before setting off whether the tour is to be one of sight-seeing, holiday-making or both.
C. A. R.
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