Today, in the South West corner of the UK, it has been absolutely heavenly. Some people call these early spring days the “False Spring,” as we all know that the winter hasn’t really gone just yet…but its nearly gone!
At Dookes H.Q. those wonderful little harbingers of Spring, the snowdrops, Galanthus Nivalis, have thrust themselves up through the cold ground to brighten our days with their happy flowers. If you flatten yourself to the ground they have a delightful scent as well!
So with all this optimism around it seemed a tad silly not to get out on two wheels and drink in the loveliness!
As part of my recently completed Blogging 201 course, I have undertaken to publish a monthly theme post. Living where we do, in a County that is virtually surrounded by the sea, it seems to me that using “The Coast” as the theme is a pretty good idea? What do you good people think of that?
It’s also a pretty good excuse to hunt out those special seaside foods, Dookes ain’t daft you know!
Last month I posted some photographs of the rugged North Cornish Coast, so today by way of a contrast, I thought I’d take you on a trip to the South East corner of Cornwall.
This is the small beach at Cawsand Bay, it faces East out across Plymouth Sound. I’ve been past it many times on ships leaving for France and Spain, but this was the first time I have actually visited. Quite delightful, but not a surfing hotspot!
After chilling for a while on the beach wall, Harley and I headed South and picked up the old Military Road which high above the sea gives stunning views from Rame Head across Whitsand Bay. It was one of those days when the sea and sky merge together in a gentle fuzziness without a clearly defined horizon. Not exact misty and not really clear either, but gentle and embracing nonetheless.
The sea lay glassy and still, with barely a breath of wind rippling the surface. It’s benign beauty concealing the fate of many ships and men who lie here in salty graves beneath the cold surface. These are dangerous waters.
Two specific losses spring to mind. In January 1914, Submarine A7 sank here with the loss of all her crew and the American liberty ship SS James Eagan Layne went down in March 1945 after being torpedoed by a German submarine. In more recent times the former HMS Scylla was purposely sunk, to create an artificial reef and diving site.
Rame Head and Polhawn Cove. Excuse two into the sun shots, but I kinda like them!
The Military Road was built in the mid Nineteenth Century to link coastal defence forts that were built to protect the coast and the important naval city of Plymouth. Today, only Tregantle Fort is still in military use and is regularly used for live firing with small arms; the big coastal guns have long gone. The views from the road are invigorating, with or without a Harley Davidson!
Even though it is only mid-february, you can see the yellow gorse flowers of the gorse breaking out and filling the air with its heady coconut aroma. We are about 360 feet above the sea here.
I do believe that Harley was glad to get out as well, she purred along, well OK, Growled Along, eating up the miles with ease. My chassis feels a little more tired this evening! I’m definitely not riding fit at the moment, fortunately the answer to that is more riding…
Life can be tough!
I don’t quite know how, but I managed to fail on the food front, probably because I was far to busy enjoying myself in the sunshine on two wheels! So, dear reader, I’ll endeavour to rectify that on our next Coastal Odyssey!
Until next time.
Dookes
“I’m gonna head down to the coast, where nothin’ ever seems to matter…”
Hogrider Dookes 
Never set foot in Cornwall in my life. This is the next best thing!
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I’ll do my best to introduce you to some more of the County, Curtis. Stay on board for the ride!
Dookes
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Beautiful photos – thanks for sharing. Glad you were able to get out on your Harley. We had a few warm days here in Texas; but tonight the temperature is down to 24 degrees with a wind chill of 12 degrees. The next few days are supposed to be brutally cold again. I hope your false spring lasts for several days.
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Ouch, that’s a bit chilly, stay warm! I’m glad you liked the pictures.
Dookes
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I miss snowdrops growing wild in the woods. My mum has some here, but she had to plant them. Glad you’re getting some nice weather – we have snow storms (again!).
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ps. I googled your song lyrics and am playing the song they’re from in the background just now. Cool song Dookes 🙂
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Thank you. I’d like to think I have reasonable taste, though some would say otherwise…
When I tag a line from a song onto a post it usually has some sort of message, I’m glad you tuned in!
Dookes
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Beautiful photos. Especially the “sun” shots. Brutally cold here in South Carolina, USA., with icey precipitation in the forecast. I really am done with this winter thing. Glad you are having spring weather early and got out on 2 wheels!
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Thanks Bob. I’m sure that once South Carolina warms up you will have the last laugh though! Gladdens the old heart to get out and ride!
Dookes
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Great photos as always Dookes, I’m so jealous that it is nearly spring there. We have just reached 100 inches of snow where I live!
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Thank you Tom, that’s very kind of you. On balance I think you can keep your 100 inches of snow! Things are definitely looking warmer here, though we do have rain forecast lasted in the week.
Dookes
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As we trod through snow & ice we look forward to spring! Your photos are superb as always.
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Thank you for the compliment, you are very kind and I am glad that you like them.
Dookes
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1degree F. As I type this… Hard to believe you are enjoying mild weather. But I guess I wouldn’t know.. As usual I am envious that your out riding and taking pictures..
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Oooo thats a bit cold! It was a sweaty 50F/10C last Sunday, I must admit that I had the heated vest and gloves on though! Justice has now struck back, Westerly Gales and driving rain, but Mrs Dookes’ ducks are happy!
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Stunning photos! Head to Brixham for a lush coastal cuisine treat!
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Gosh, I haven’t been to Brixham for years! Well, it’s not very far away so maybe one day this year it will feature in the monthly Coast Post! Thanks for the nice comment about the photos as well. 🙂
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As a matter of interest, do you have any foodie recommendations in Brixham?
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Claws for lunch, i like the mussels but am told the crab sandwiches are amazing. For dinner, poopdeck restaurant 😀
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Thanks. I’ll see what i can do!
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