A Winter's Walk in Mevagissey

Considering it's not that far from me, I hadn't really explored Mevagissey. It's a classic Cornish fishing village that still feels authentic and alive rather than perhaps just existing for holiday makers. I had a recent Monday off work and decided to make the most of the stunning winter's sun with my mum and sister, exploring the streets and enjoying the bobbing boats.

I found my wander around the harbour all the more poignant when my mum let me know this was one of my Grandad's 'most favourite places in the world'. He had travelled with the Navy but had lived most his life in London. I loved imagining him here, with his hanky knotted on his head tucking in to a pasty and fending off seagulls. I felt close to him, and I could see his smile in my mother's face. Honestly the best thing I can do for my mum is take her somewhere that has little boats to draw, plenty of dogs to adore and the odd seagull. She just loves this kind of place and it was wonderful to see her happy. Of course, it was bitter cold being winter but the welcome was warm. The whole experience was lovely, I enjoyed the drive down through Pentewan valley and gazing at the vast sea view as the car climbed up and then down towards the village. 

Parking up was simple enough but my bemused face at the ticket machine prompted a friendly local to help me out and recommend where to eat for dietary restrictions. Both mum and I now needing to avoid pretty much everything! We headed to a pub, The Ship Inn, stacked in history, it felt a real local's pub. It was actually perfect for a winter's day- cosy, warm and inviting. Good pub grub satisfied and there were plenty of dogs, and owners, for my mum to spark a conversation with. We pulled ourselves away from the shelter and headed outside to explore.

I quite enjoy walking aimlessly through little streets and we meandered happily popping in to various shops, it was quiet but there was still a lovely buzz. Plenty of harbour workers about, busily getting on with normal life as well as shop keepers keen to encourage our browsing. 

Most of all I just liked walking around the harbour. There was a sleepy young fisherman chilling in his boat, feet up, phone out, oblivious of the spectators that wondered by. Apparently Mevagissey is one of the few places not struggling to encourage the younger generation to fish the waters. We spotted a seagull for some reason sitting in a puddle, looking quite content in freezing cold water! Other birds followed us along, sea birds I wasn't familiar with, they knew my type though, tourist, and were eagerly waiting for my bounty. 

We spied up places to visit perhaps in Spring, I was delighted to see a crepery, She Sells, that catered for dairy and gluten free, I'll be back again to sample. Monday isn't the best day to have fish and chips, so I have been told, as boats don't go out on Sundays, so we left that experience for another day. I do remember an evening jaunt here with a friend, fish and chips in hand watching the light fade on the horizon, must have been 10 years ago but the shop remains, still tasty I'm told. That's the thing with Cornwall, there is just so much to explore. Weekends and days off feel like holidays, enjoying the finest of the county for an hour or two is so refreshing, refreshed and ready to fall into rhythm normal life again.  

The winter light was very welcome but fleeting so our walk was short, worrying my mum might freeze! I loved the authenticity of Mevagissey, it felt real and living and I could still imagine older times and lives lived in cottages carved from the rock and in boats passed down through families. I will return in the Spring and linger a little longer, perhaps catching the ferry from Fowey, another one on my wish-list!