Looe & Polperro

Jul 17
2 min read

Updated: Sep 1

Report by Brian Sherlow - trip Organiser

So, weeks worth of beautiful hot sunny weather until Friday 18th July came around. The forecast had not looked optimistic and peering out of the window when the alarm went off revealed a dull, misty morning. Still, with 8 members signed up for the trip, there was no backing out. As we progressed on the journey down the A38, the weather worsened; the wipers and the lights came on as the rain poured down. Not looking promising. However, as we crossed the Tamar Bridge into Cornwall, things changed for the better. By the time we met up at the car park in Looe, the rain had stopped and the sun was actually shining, Conditions that prevailed for the rest of the day. Phew!

As is compulsory on all SPC trips, the first calling point was to a coffee shop. Although a booking had been made at The Courtyard in Looe, we were so eager for refreshments, we arrived before they actually opened. A very nice venue and a very friendly owner, we soon had teas, coffees, cakes and scones. Looking around the table, I think it would have been acceptable to many to stay put for the entire morning!

Having prised ourselves away, Looe offered many options for photography. A sandy beach, the river, the quayside and harbour areas, and, plenty of locals and tourists to photograph. From discussions with the participants, I think all genres were covered.

One member took the opportunity for some retail therapy due to effects of a seagull. I’ll not go further into detail. With more refreshment breaks, including the consumption of the obligatory Cornish pasty, we regrouped back i the carpark at 13:30 for the 15 minute transfer to Polperro.

I say 15 minutes, it actually took closer to an hour due to the main road being closed. We drove down lanes that I don’t think had seen traffic in years. In fact, my satnav at one point showed I was driving across a field. It certainly tested driving, and more so, reversing skills and provided our passengers with a few hair-raising moments.

Once parked up, we walked down into the village of Polperro, which offered similar genres of photography as Looe, but in a much more chocolate-box setting. The timing for the photography session was unfortunately out of synch with the tide times - we were chasing an outgoing tide which was a bit of a challenge. But, as with the morning session in Looe, I think all photographic subjects were covered off.

An impromptu meeting of all members part way through the afternoon for drinks was followed by the prearranged dinner booking at The Ship Inn, where the food was very good!

In conclusion, I’d say it was a very successful day both from a photographic standpoint and socially as well.