THERE'S ALWAYS A WELCOME IN CORNWALL!

I decided it was advisable to retrace my steps - it can sometimes be a problem walking along unknown paths and tracks!

MORE VIADUCT AND TRAINS, CORNWALL

Trenance, Cornwall Viaduct

Yesterday my post was VIADUCT AND TRAINS, CORNWALL and I'd like to continue this theme today. Above is another photo of the Trenance Viaduct, but from a different angle to yesterday's picture. My Internet friend, Laurent Truillet, noticed the pillars in front of the viaduct and asked if the 'previous bridge was a wooden bridge'. 

The original Cornish viaducts / bridges were indeed wooden - built on masonary piers.

I found the photo below (in the public domain) of the Truro Railway Carvedras Viaduct from 1859. This shows the wooden construction supporting the railway lines. At the time this was done to save money, but was a false economy as stronger stone viaducts had to be built in 1899.

The original stone piers remain next to the newer viaducts.

Truro, Cornwall Viaduct

The photo below shows the Truro Viaduct from Victoria Gardens - a photo a snapped early last year.

Truro Viaduct today

VIADUCT AND TRAINS, CORNWALL

I had to visit someone this morning and snapped a few quick photos while on my way - nothing special but it turns out there is a theme to them.

The photo above shows part of the Trenance Viaduct, Cornwall.

A viaduct was first built here in 1858 but had to be replaced in 1899. It's quite a construction as it has ten piers and is 115 feet (35m) high and 720 feet (220m) long.

The photo below is a small river - made white by china clay deposits - running under the viaduct.

Purely by chance, as I was approaching a footbridge over the railway lines I heard a train. I rushed to the top of the bridge and managed to get a photo - but not the front of the engine! The train was transporting china clay - I seem to have mentioned china clay quite a lot recently - see my post: China Clay Country for example

I quickly went to the other side of the bridge to take another photo as the train thundered through St.Austell station.

The train would have travelled over the Trenance Viaduct I mentioned at the beginning of this post. So, along with china clay, it all fits together nicely - purely by chance. That is, if there is such a thing as chance, coincidence synchronicity etc. But that's a whole different conversation!

A SHORT WALK FROM CARLYON BAY

One end of Carlyon Bay beach

We were out and about this morning and decided to include a walk starting at Carlyon Bay. This partly runs alongside the Carlyon Bay Golf Club course and on the right is the sea.

A view of the sea from the footpath

The path is a right of way and can be used by the public.

Part of Carlyon Bay golf course

From the golf course, looking inland, Cornwall's White Pyramid can be seen.

Looking across to the White Pyramid

We walked along to Spit Beach and then decided to retrace our footsteps.

Approaching Spit Beach

Did I mention that the path was somewhat muddy in places ...

A muddy coastal foorpath

... but he views are nice, when there isn't a hedge in the way!

The sea view when retracing our steps

OLD CORNWALL: TINTAGEL

A few days back I published a post about the Tintagel Old Post Office, Cornwall. Today's photo is a street scene from about 1890 showing the very same Post Office. The actual building dates back to the 14th century. I picked up the photo, with others, a while back at a car boot sale. It's not the clearest of pictures but shows how things once were - a bygone age.

THE CRASHING WAVES AT PORTMELLON, CORNWALL

The image of Cornwall is often one of golden beaches, blue skies and sunshine. At times though, the winter weather blows away more than just the cobwebs!

The photos today are of Portmellon and the narrow coastal road. Follow the road left up the hill and you will reach the popular village of Mevagissey.

Some days though the sea gets a little angry and splashes over the road. This isn't too pleasant if you happen to be going that way in your car - and worse still if you are walking.

I snapped these photos on a visit to see friends who live in Portmellon, I made sure I was a safe distance from the waves. You have to be sensible and respect such weather conditions.

It's perhaps hard to imagine that there is a sandy beach under all of those waves. In the summer there will be people enjoying the sunshine and launching small boats from the slipway.

CHINA CLAY COUNTRY, CORNWALL

Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum

After a rainy, blowy night the morning couldn't make up it's mind what to do. It was grey, it was blue, it was dry, it was drizzly. But, regardless, we wandered round Cornwall's Clay trails with fingers crossed.

We parked our car at Wheal Martyn - Cornwall's China Clay Museum. The china clay people in the photo are at the entrance.

An ornamental chimney with pictures representing the clay industry

From the museum it is possible to walk a trail to the Eden Project - about five miles distance. We, however just followed our feet!

A china clay lake

We passed a China Clay lake where nature has taken hold. It's hard to believe this was once a hive of activity.

Part of the China Clay Trail

Walking part of the clay trail the weather became more unsettled. The hills are the spoils of the clay industry, now covered by shrubs and greenery.

Another China Clay Lake, once a quarry

Walking part of the clay trail the weather became more unsettled. The hills are the spoils of the clay industry, now covered by shrubs and greenery.

The China Clay Countryside

In the area the side roads are very narrow but the grey of the china clay was on view.

Narrow roads

More narrow roads before heading back to our car.

Another view of the China Clay country, Cornwall