Hard to believe another year has passed and we are now in the Olympic year of 2012. Nigel has written a quick update and reflects on the past year along The Trail.
Midnight fireworks at Wadebridge.
Well that was an excellent start to the New Year – Midnight Fireworks from the bridge at Wadebridge viewed with hundreds of revellers.
Celebrating New Year's Day at Padstow
Then down to Padstow on New Years Day to witness the rhythm of the drums and accordions as the locals black their faces and celebrate another tradition.
Padstow harbour
Quite where this comes from I do not know but I will do some research.The original salmon sculpture destroyed by vandals.
Looking back – as you do – it has been for me a year of ups and downs on the Trail.
There’s only one ‘down’ but a significant one, when I discovered that the Salmon Sculpture up at Poley’s Bridge had been destroyed beyond repair. I still cannot come to terms with wanton destruction like that, completely beyond my understanding or comprehension.
Many ups though, and heading the list is Cornwall Council finally acknowledging the significance of the Camel Trail in terms of local economies and investing in significant resurfacing and maintenance programs.
On a personal note I shall not forget last Spring rounding the corner just down from the first cutting to Padstow and coming face to face with a Majestic Red Deer who took one glance at me and sauntered into the undergrowth.
There are too many other highlights for me to mention but I was reading over the Weekend that in a poll the Kingfisher was now Britain’s favourite bird and that very few people had actually seen one. How lucky are regular visitors to the upper reaches of the Camel Trail then, I would say that nearly every trip I make at certain times of the year I will see a flash of a Kingfisher upstream and indeed during November when they migrate downstream in search of food and stop off at the Quayside for a break.
My house is named “Kingfishers Rest” for good reason – I have been totally privileged to witness Kingfishers fishing from the Quayside on many occasions and more’s the point witnessed the little devils feeding on my Goldfish – I can handle that, keeps the numbers down anyways.
So we are well into preparing the Hire Shop for a new season, what is it .. 12 weeks or so to Easter – better crack on then.
We look forward to seeing old friends and new on the Trail this year, safe cycling,
Nigel
Many thanks Nigel for the reports throughout the year .. can’t imagine how many times you’ve cycled the Camel Trail the past 12 months alone. For more on Bridge Bike Hire visit their website here.
