Clare Balding is in Cornwall with the novelist Patrick Gale.
28 November 2008
Clare Balding walks along the Cornish coast in the company of novelist Patrick Gale.
Clare Balding gets a Cornish facelift when she returns to the South Coast for this week鈥檚 edition of Ramblings. The bracing winds that buffet the Cornish coastal path cause a natural tightening of the skin which she and her walking companion, the novelist , believe leaves them with a youthful glow.
Patrick鈥檚 first two books, The Aerodynamics Of Pork听 and Ease听 were published in 1986. A year later, he moved to Cornwall where he loves to write in his head while going on long walks. He lives on a farm near Land鈥檚 End.
Patrick鈥檚 latest book, Notes from an Exhibition, is set in the landscape around his home near . Clare joins Patrick on a walk along the coastal path from the Minack Theatre, a place that has been important to him since he performed there as a young chorister.
He explains to Clare how his daily walk fuels his writing process and helps him consider the exploits of his new imaginary friends 鈥 the characters in his latest novel. He is a born romantic and he says 鈥渢his area has it in spades鈥.
As well as talking about his work and love of the Cornish countryside, they talk about the strength of paganism in the area, the tradition of Christmas day swimming and they see a family of seals frolicking off Lands鈥 End.
Map: OS 203 鈥 Land鈥檚 End and the Isles of Scilly. Start Grid Ref: 388222. The open-air theatre at Porth Curno Terrain: Footpaths Suitable for: Moderate walkers. There are a number of steps to climb.
Route: Start at the Minack Theatre and follow the coastal footpath to Land鈥檚 End. You will head towards Chapel Forth and see the Longships Lighthouse at Land鈥檚 End.
Clare Balding is in Cornwall with the novelist Patrick Gale.
