Kestrel hard-stare, Pump House, Worcester: Monday, 31st October, 2017.

You lookin' at me punk?

Afternoon river walk, Worcester: Monday, 30th October, 2017.

Even a few clouds can't spoil things.

Too small to keep, too big for a kingfisher.

A kingfisher's just flown into there.

But can I see where it's gone?

No, 'cos I can't!

But that's 71 sightings and counting.

Reflecting on kingfisher territory.

Final morning in Cornwall: Friday, 20th October, 2017.

8:30-ish.

We've waited all week for post-dawn sky like this.

Homeward bound at eleven before Storm Brian arrives.

Cornwall (Day 4): Thursday, 19th October, 2017.

11:00am-ish:

We've parked up at the National Trust car park behind the dunes 

to the north of Hayle and…….um….. there's a touch of inclement weather about.

But don't worry, it'll clear up soon.

We've got soaked between the car and the car park cafe, had tea and a bun, 

dried out slightly, and are now back outside and on the footpath above the dunes. 

We are already properly soaked, even through our raincoats.

But don't worry, it'll clear up soon.

Hayle beach and the view to Carbis Bay.

Weirdly, there are no dogs being walked on the beach at the mo'.

But don't worry it'll clear up soon.

Vicky is ordered to turn into the weather for a shot with Godrevy Lighthouse.

She instantly confirms that the wind is 'bracing' 

(all blasphemous adjectives have been edited out).

But don't worry it'll clear up soon.

After a 1.5 mile walk with the bracing wind and stinging rain in our backs

we have achieved our objective - The Godrevy grey seal colony.

It's still raining and the wind is determined to blow us over the cliff face 

but don't worry it'll clear up soon.

Eleven grey seals. 

Not as many as last October and no pups.

They look as tho' they are enjoying the weather even less than us.

But don't worry it'll clear up soon.

Making our way back to the car park and it's time 

for a 'Donald Trump', by the looks of things.

It's hard work, this walking against the wind and rain malarky

but don't worry it'll clear up soon.

2:00pm-ish and we're back in Carbis Bay and drying out.

But don't worry it'll clear up soon.

3:30pm-ish:

It's a window of opportunity.

Time to get back out there.

Life's a beach once again.

Rosa is 9 months old and greets us as if she has known us all her life.

In a word - irresistible.

Another friendly dog owner takes our photo.

There's rain clouds over St Ives and they're headed our way.

Time to leave.

Back home tomorrow (boo).

Cornwall (Day 3): Wednesday, 18th October, 2017.

Porthcurno coastline from The Minack Theatre.

The Minack Theatre.

Ah yes, thinks David, yet more coastal steps to descend 

and, lest we forget, climb back up again.

Howard in the cheap seats.

Child's play?

A party of school children enjoying the terrors of performing live 

at a theatre perched high above the Atlantic Ocean.

An olde man and the sea.

The Atlantic Ocean.

Where all our splendid weather comes from.

Looks quite benign at the moment, doesn't it.

Don't be fooled.

The coastline to the north (note walker at top right for sense of scale).

Meanwhile, Vicky has discovered the expensive seats.

Bit breezy today.

We have now driven to Sennen Cove and this is the harbour.

Harbourside buildings.

Marley, the Sennen Cove RNLI mouser.

Salt water Mute Swans?

Looking towards Cape Cornwall from Sennen Cove.

Another lovely beach, another lovely walk Pt I.

Another lovely beach, another lovely walk Pt II.

Mastering the black arts.

Another well-earned cuppa tea.

Driven back to Carbis Bay now.

Sensible folk would take a rest but we're on another coastal walk.

This is the view of Carbis Bay beach.

Good innit.

Vicky spots a pod of dolphins out in the Bay.

We spend quite a while watching them pop up on a random basis 

as they make their way past St Ives.

Evidently, it's rare to see them in-shore along this coastline 

so we have been very lucky.

St Ives RNLI boat on training manoeuvres in The Bay.

Another steep climb Vic?

Can we go home now please.

Carbis Bay to St Ives and back: Tuesday, 17th October, 2017.

Where we're headed today: St Ives.

Don't look behind you Vic!

It's just the first of many steep climbs today.

Porthminster Beach and Vicky discusses the pros and cons of ball throwing 

with Kizzy the Sprocker's owner.

The ball is thrown and Kizzy's off.

Tate St Ives.

Utterly appalling architecture.

Vicky is told to look appalled.

Yep, she's cracked it.

Porthmeor Beach surf school students (and Instructors).

More experienced surfers in at the deep end.

Oystercatchers.

In flight.

Looking over Carbis Bay towards Godrevy Lighthouse.

David. Camber up that greasy slope and stand by that rock. 

It'll make a good photo.

OK Vic……um…..now, how do I get back down?

Kestrel, on same greasy slope, ignores olde man struggling to descend 

and swoops down on a smaller victim.

One of a pair of Grey Seals at Porthgwidden Beach.

Just to give you an idea of how close 

the seals come in to the shore to people watch.

Sanderling ready for its close-up.

Cormorants refuse to interact with cowin' seagull.

It's nearly 4pm and we're knackered.

It's not the distance it's the climbs that have done for us today.

We decide to investigate the coastal train service.

The chap in the ticket box says £2 please.

Wot, each? We say.

No, for both of ya.

The journey takes all of 4 minutes.

Why haven't we used it on previous visits?