Camel Trail Diary
Shotgun season?
January 26, 2011
There I was admiring the winter plumage of a Bullfinch as it skipped between bushes on my early trip down to Padstow when the noise of a shotgun rang in my ears – that woke me up! It is that time of the year when many Farmers enjoy their sport – my Bullfinch did not even jump and of course the ability to see a target whether for shooting or for observing is enhanced by the lack of undergrowth and vegetation.
The Camel Estuary near Padstow looking to the Iron Bridge.I think we have a mixed bag of weather coming up this week and as the trail is now frost-free the surface can only be described as sticky with patches of surface water.
I do believe that all the ongoing cutting back of vegetation will have a drying affect with more sections of the Trail now exposed to sun and wind another advantage, from a bikers perspective, is that when the flail is put down their debris will fall into the ditches rather than being spread across the surface so hopefully less punctures.
- Cosy inside – The Crib Box Open.
The essential Crib Box Cafe
All good news then – Spring round the corner. I have my paint brush to hand and even Ben at the Crib Hut is now open for my early cuppa and bacon butty.
Welcoming in 2011
January 21, 2011
A New Year and two new Grandchildren arriving over the festive season might explain the shortage of reports – it had nothing to do with the deluge of rain early January honestly.
We do appear to have a more settled spell of weather now but with the clearer skies we are back to very frosty mornings and evenings where as soon as the Sun drops so do the temperatures.
Fox in the grass.
The frost in a very wet Trail has firmed the surface so if you pick your times say between 10 and 3 it makes for a most pleasant cycling experience.
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My early trip yesterday was gorgeous – spotted a Fox scurrying across the flood plains just above the first cutting and then on the way back the Estuary was covered in waves of cloud like mist all a bit special – welcome back to the Camel Trail.
The Trail Management team are full on taking advantage of the weather and a quieter Trail to cut back the hedgerows and there is some serious machinery down towards Padstow tree felling and opening the banks up even further. I understand that this is in preparation for some more resurfacing work but when I find out when and where I will give you due warning.
Frosty morning, looking across to Padstow.
All I need now is for the little crib hut to reopen in the car park for an early bacon butty and a hot warming drink and my Trail life will be back to normal – very sad really.
In the meantime I highly recommend a bike ride and a fireside bevy down at Padstow or up at Bodmin – pick your day and with the Trail being very much quieter and lack of vegetation you never know what you might see.
A Ride with Nige: the Trail to himself?
November 30, 2010
Early morning looking down on the River Camel.
Given the cold snap and threat of impending snow showers there is still a lot of surface water on the Trail – the Trail is however firm but if walking a good pair of boots are advisable and if bike riding a pair of mudguards is a must.
The Iron Bridge, sun coming up.
I had to smile as I passed the Treatment works at high tide this week to see all the birds congregating near the outfall – I assume the water was a little warmer just there – they may look daft but then who was I to talk I lost count of the number of layers of clothes I had on.
The oyster farm inlet towards Padstow.
The Padstow section has had quite a lot of work done recently with cutting back to give great unobstructed views of Amble Flats and some resurfacing has been completed between Old Town Cove and Ball Cutting if this settles as well as the sections done last season this will be a bonus.
Sun rising at Padstow.
With twilight at 7.00 now and sun not up until 8.00 it never ceases to enchant me as I ride through the Quarry and look across to the twinkling lights of Padstow just how stunning this view is no matter what time of the year. However with the wind freshening and the chill factor starting to penetrate my many layers I will admit to riding round the Christmas light-adorned Harbour and instead of languishing with a flask of coffee waterside I headed up to the Cafe for a welcome bacon butty and hot drink.
Early morning mist at Padstow
Imagine my surprise on the return journey to see a gig boat with full crew coming back downstream from Wadebridge, if I thought it was cold on the Trail – how cold was that on the water and to row upstream they must have started out at first light. I have great admiration for those guys.
I always try to make the extra effort to travel the trail at this time – I remember last year after a fresh fall of snow rounding a corner to surprise a Buzzard who instantly took flight leaving the outline of its wings in the snow – that was a bit special and likewise the trail is a bit special so wrap up warm and come and share the experience.
