Her vision of paradise

My mother is a self-proclaimed off-road rambler. When I was seven years old, we started on these epic journeys along the wind-battered coast of Cornwall. Her vision of paradise: sea stretching for longer than the eyes could see, bare feet and backpacks. Her love of nature rubbed off on me and I’ve been exploring the coast of Cornwall ever since. 

This Sunday, on a bright and crisp day in September we loaded up our backpacks with fresh bread, crab, water and a 35mm camera and set out to explore new territory. I filled my bag with my mother’s sailing top - her spirit and travel stories woven into every thread.  

Starting off at the heart of the local's hideout- Durgan Beach, where the water laps gently and dogs and children alike can run free on the pebbly terrain. From here my mother recited to us the story of Frenchman’s Creek written by Daphne DuMaurier (a muse of hers) and how the atmosphere down in these parts can change as dramatically as the wind direction.  

Our next stop was Trebah beach, usually a busy hub of out of towners and locals feigning over the tropical plants which swamp the gardens. Today was different, a bespoke wooden and fiberglass yacht had been shipwrecked and the eerie skeleton had drawn crowds. 

We quickly bypassed and headed straight for the latest Wright’s Brothers pub and restaurant -The Ferry Boat. This part of Cornwall instigates nostalgia, a connection with my mother’s love of all things nautical, saturated in history and stories, every time I come here I am filled with a deep understanding of why people are so drawn to this remote string of beaches and bays. The Helford where The Ferry Boat is located is the perfect place to launch a kayak, rib or sailing boat from. A small charge to the local harbour keeper and you’re off exploring the muse for so many writers, poets and artists. 

Once home exhausted from our travels we showed my mother the photos of our adventure and she simply said, “My love, you’re doing it right”.