I have been neglecting ‘my’ hill for months having obsessed over it during my first year of living down here. Last year Godrevy lighthouse became the object of my obsession and so far this year I haven’t found anything to usurp the lighthouse.
Last week we had a brief interlude of a day without rain or showers and took advantage of that to take a stroll around the local lanes and in my case up to Trencrom hill. It must be four months since I was last up here, and boy did it feel good, despite the undignified way I had to get up it. I usually approach the hill from the side nearest my house. It is less steep and no clambering over boulders is required. However, from the side where the NT car park is situated, it is another thing altogether. For a start the track was ankle-deep with churned mud and water. Getting off the track meant stepping into sponge-like, boggy grass designed to swallow your feet whole.
Following this approach means you have to walk up a sloping, granite boulder, which on this day, was imitating a stream. After navigating that comes a step. A very deep step. One which no matter how hard I try I cannot simply step up onto it. My hips seem to have seized at some point so that lifting my leg high is now practically impossible. Still with a bit of hands down and using them to push off I managed that hurdle. Further on came another challenge with more granite rocks and displaced root runners designed to trip me up. Hands down again and grabbing hold of any foliage close by, I finally crawled my way to the top.
Phew! I shan’t be taking that route again.
It felt good to be on the top again. The 360° views over Cornwall towards Carn Brea to the north, Godolphin and Tregonning hills in front of me, Trink Hill, Wheal Alice and the farms behind, St Michael’s Mount and Mount Bay on my right side, and the wide stretch of Hayle’s sandy beaches looking very wintry on my left.
The ground was spongy, causing me to be aware of where I was treading so as not to sink as I wandered around the top, taking five minutes out to sit on a granite rock and admire the views.
The rocks glowed in the late afternoon sun and the wind held off whilst I was up there and I felt a huge sense of satisfaction in having made it to the top; once my heart rate had returned to normal.
Cornwall in Colours 
Is it okay that I laughed out loud at your description of this struggle, or will you go off me? 🙂 Well done for making it and our reward is lovely. Were you aching the next day?
I don’t mind you laughing at all. I would have laughed to see myself scrambling up that rock. No aches, just frustrated that body parts no longer work properly 😦
Totally fabulous Jude! Love the prehistoric smiling monster!!!
And mine doesn’t bite!! 😀
What wonderful views and the light really adds it’s glowing dimension. Intrepid you Jude for continuing up and conquering all the obstacles. Beckoning scenery – it is stunning up. Love the beatific smiling monster – sort of a Mona Lisa in granite.
Ah, you know Liz, someone’s gotta do it 😉
Seems like that precarious rock formation in the first photograph isn’t destined to last long.
What delicious rocks, and what a description of the obstacles you had to overcome: pilgrim’s progress in fact! Does this mean your ankle (?) has recovered? I’d like to come on this tour, even via this route. Thank you for being such a great guide.
One of my favourite things about this is all the naming of places – storied places a lot of them for this Antipodean.
It was the first lengthy walk for some time. Decision as to how far was based on my foot behaving; the reason I wasn’t wearing hiking boots was because I had my new walking shoes on with orthotics which seem to have helped in the healing process.
Such wonderful views from the top of the hill, Jude. Love the rock formations.
I never get tired of seeing that view when I reach the top.
You make a great tourist guide Jude, but I think I will use the easier route… Fantastic views from the top to sit and admire and share with us and I smiled along with your granite monster, well seen
Always worth getting to the top, no matter how you do it, but there are easier routes than this one. I am very fond of my ‘creatures’ living up there 🙂
My father lived on Trencrom hill for 32 years so know this place so well! Thanks for a great post and fabulous photos,
You are most welcome. 🙂