Camel Trail

Wednesday 5 September

The wind blew and blew last night, it wasn’t at all windy when we went to bed but it did wake us up in the night. We don’t really mind the wind and we are getting quite used to it. We are very comfortable in Campy and when you are warm, dry and comfortable inside it can do what it likes on the outside. Anyway, it was all worth it as in the morning it had all calmed down and the wind had taken all the clouds away with it. It was the start of a beautiful day.

We have a short list of things we want to do in Padstow and one of them is to walk along the Camel trail to Wadebridge some 7 miles from the campsite. As it was such a nice day and we had stayed in all day yesterday we decided that today was the day to do it. Packed lunches in the bag and we were off. 

The trail takes us, to begin with, along the same track as if going to Padstow except just before you turn to enter Padstow you head down towards the river turn right and the track runs along the side of the estuary. It really is a great walk and very easy as the path is flat and hugs the foreshore. The trail is very popular with holiday makers and especially with cyclists. At both ends of the stretch we had chosen there is a profusion of bike hire companies hiring out all types of bikes from sit up and beg type to tandems. Most seemed to be towing those little trailers with kiddies in the back. We saw one bounce by with a rather wide eyed baby in a carry-tot wedged in back. Not sure the baby was quite as appreciative of the scenery as his mother.

We stopped at a couple of benches en route to admire the view and watch the water skiing going on. When we arrived in Wadebridge it was about lunch time so we went looking for a bench to rest our weary backs. Unfortunately, the only vacant bench we could find was in a children’s playground. Still they didn’t seem to mind and we were glad to sit down.

Wadebridge is only a small town and the shopping centre doesn’t have a single high Street multiple other than a Co-op supermarket. This added to its charm and there wasn’t a single vacant shop to be had so whatever they are doing they are doing it well. We managed to find a number of things we were looking for that we have been unable to find anywhere else. For example, a small chopping block for cutting the lemon for the gin and tonic. Some Tiger Balm, and a bung you put on the end of a walking stick for one of our outdoor chairs which I must tell you about.

We bought 2 Coleman sling chairs from the internet in July last year. We didn’t start using them properly till July this year. Unfortunately we somehow lost one of the feet that covers the end of the aluminum extruded leg. Without it the chair digs into the grass. So I emailed Coleman and asked them for a replacement and whilst they were at it send me a couple more as spares. One of the other feet is wearing through to the aluminum. Coleman emailed back saying they do not keep spares so we would have to get in touch with the retailer and claim one through the guarantee. So a quick call the the retailer found that as the chairs were out of guarantee and they nor Coleman could supply the part there was nothing to be done. To us that really is poor service and shame on Coleman who can’t support there own products.

After our walk around the town we climbed on board the 555 bus to Tesco, Padstow (BBQ tonight) We picked up a couple of corn on the cob, a pack of Tesco finest Burgers, salad, bread rolls, strawberrys and a pot of Rodda’s fresh Cornish clotted cream. Bring it on.

When we got back to camp we noticed that another Bilbo van was just behind us. Their’s was also this years model and we had a nice chat chewing the cud on our brilliant pride and joys. The BBQ was cooked on the Cadac and it was good! Finally and before the washing up we went for a walk around the campsite to check out the competition. 

What a great day we have had today.