Thursday 28 February 2019

Postcard and Photos of Tregony, Cornwall

Postcard of Tregony, Cornwall from a painting

The picture is of a postcard from my collection. It is taken from an original water colour by Peter Skipp. The reverse of the card reads:

"Tregony was once a busy port, with the right to send two Members of Parliament to Westminster. The tin mines and china clay pits, however, were the cause of their own destruction as silt clogged the River Fal. 

Despite Acts of Parliament aimed at stopping mining, the waters receded leaving the highest navigable point over four miles away."


To see Tregony today it is hard to believe it was once a busy port - but time moves on. 

I have a few photos of the village. There are some interesting buildings. The clock tower, for example, is from the 1833. There is a strange story that it was sold to an Australian gentleman in 1851. However, the Mayor at the time stepped in to prevent the sale by buying the clock himself - and eventually he sold it back to the people of the village.



Then there are the houses - below - built in 1696 ...


17th century houses in Tregony, Cornwall

... and a row of Poor Houses from the 19th century.


Poor Houses, Tregony, Cornwall

Oh, and a church, of course! St. Cuby's.


St.Cuby's Church, Tregony, Cornwall

The church is a mixture of 12th, 14th and 15th century architecture but was partly rebuilt and lengthened in 1828.

Wednesday 27 February 2019

Thirteen February Photos of The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

Rhododendrons at The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Monday was a wonderful day, with blue sky and sunshine, supposedly one of the hottest February days on record. So we went along to The Lost Gardens of Heligan - again - and I snapped a few photos as we walked. Starting off with the rhododendrons.


Rhododendrons at Heligan, Cornwall



Rhubarb at Heligan, Cornwall

A few sacks of mushrooms were hidden away from the daylight and looked very tempting.


Mushrooms growing at Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

The Head Gardeners Office was snug and warm with a real log fire burning away. This is how it would have looked prior to 1914.


Head Gardeners Office at Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

More territory awaiting planting, this will be full of flowers in the summer months.


Area waiting to be planted at Heligan Gardens, Cornwall

The Sundial garden could also do with some colour - always looks special during the summer months.

Sun Dial Garden at Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

And then we head off to the green, green fields of Heligan.

Green fields at Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

More greenery but many of the trees are still without leaves at the present time.

Green field at Heligan Gardens, Cornwall

Now some water. Firstly a lake and then ...

Lake at Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

... more water in the jungle! A few goldfish spotted in the depths.

Jungle at Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

And now it's snooze time, at least for the pigs.

Sleeping pigs at the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

Finally, back to the rhododendrons. The Lost Gardens of Heligan cover some 200 acres so there is much to discover.

Rhododendrons at Heligan, Cornwall

I have written a previous post on Heligan, with photos, which can be seen on Lost Gardens of Heligan in Winter

Tuesday 26 February 2019

Padstow, Cornwall: Ghosts, Cornish Pasties, Fish & Chips And More

Abbey House on Padstow's North Quay, Cornwall

Following on from my Padstow Post - of the 24th of February  - a few random photos as I walked round the town.

The photo above is Abbey House on Padstow's North Quay. It is described by some as the oldest house in Cornwall. As far back as the days of Queen Elizabeth I (1533–1603) it was being described as old! So, of course, it has a ghost ...

... the ghost who haunts Abbey House is said to be an Elizabethan lady. She is sad and alone and is often seen ascending the 15th century granite stairway from the cellar, as she silently makes her way along a passage which forms the oldest part of the house.

On a more cheerful note: a fish and chips shop below ...

Fish and Chips at Padstow, Cornwall

... and, if you are in Cornwall, there also has to be a Cornish Pasty shop.

Cornish Pasty shop in Padstow, Cornwall

The next photo is the Golden Lion pub and it "dates back to the 14th century and is the oldest inn in Padstow."

Golden Lion Pub, Padstow, Cornwall

Now we have Anchor Cottage, which is very difficult to miss - because of its bright colour.

Anchor Cottage, Padstow, Cornwall

The houses below face each other so you wouldn't want to fall out with the neighbours opposite. But there is somewhere to dry the washing.

Narrow lane of houses in Padstow, Cornwall

Houses in Church Street:

Houses in Church Street, Padstow, Cornwall

And that's about the end. These gravestones date from the early. 1830s.

Gravestones from the 1830s in Padstow, Cornwall

Monday 25 February 2019

Charlestown Harbour On A Sunshine Morning

Charlestown harbour, Cornwall - Poldark country




A Sunday walk yesterday included Charlestown, Cornwall, as per the photos. A pleasant sunny day for February, though a little hazy first thing. Photo above is looking across to the Pier House (restaurant, bar and accommodation).

Charlestown harbour,Cornwall

And now, in the photo above, looking eastwards. The building with the pointed top, to the right of the picture, is often shown in the Poldark television series.

A few of the tall ships, often in dock at Charlestown, can be seen below.

Tall sailing ships at Charlestown, Cornwall

The old harbour wall has steps leading down to the water, which had a greenish tint.

Two more photos. First the Coast Path sign and finally the small bridge across the harbour. This photo was taken prior to the others. As can be seen, there was still a haze prior to the sun breaking through. 

Charlestown, Cornwall signpost

Charlestown, Cornwall bridge across the harbour
More posts & info on Charlestown:
Walking the Beach at Charlestown, Cornwall
Charlestown Built To Export Copper Ore
The Cave On Charlestown Beach, Cornwall

Sunday 24 February 2019

Padstow, Cornwall on a Sunshine Winter's Day

Harbour wall at Padstow, Cornwall

We were in Padstow on Thursday and what a lovely day it was: blue sky and sunshine.

Padstow, a small town and fishing port, is on Cornwall's north coast. It's history stretches way back. It is said that the Vikings raided the area in  981. Padstow is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1068.

Today it's a busy place for tourism. Some of this comes from the restaurateur Rick Stein - visitors seem to want to travel great distances to have a meal in his restaurant or cafes.


Padstow Harbour, Cornwall

We walked around the harbour and then on to the coastal path. Lots of people about - partly because it was half term in Cornish schools. The coastal path though had lots of elbow room!

Green fields at Padstow, Cornwall

Padstow is situated on the west bank of the River Camel Estuary. When the tide is out there are huge stretches of naturally occurring granular material - sand in other words. 

Beach at Padstow, Cornwall

The name of the River Camel is derived from the Cornish Language Dowr Kammel, which means a crooked river.

Coastal Path at Padstow, Cornwall

The coast path winds its way alongside the estuary, with lovely views.

View from the Padstow coastal path

On the hillside there's a farm - what a great position.

Farm on the hillside of Padstow coastal path

The path goes on and on for miles and miles but we only walked for about an hour - and then retraced our steps back to Padstow.

View from Padstow coastal path

Saturday 23 February 2019

Truro Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary


Truro Cathedral, Cornwall with a rainbow

Today's photos, taken at different times, are of Truro Cathedral, which dominates the Truro skyline. 

The photo above was a lucky shot. I was hoping that the rainbow would settle on the cathedral, but it wasn't to be.

Truro Cathedral by the river

The cathedral is, by cathedral standards quite recent. Building started in 1880 and was completed by 1910. The building is quoted as being a triumph of Gothic Revival Architecture.

For the full cathedral story go to Cathedral's website.

Truro Cathedral, Cornwall

The cathedral is one of only three cathedrals in the UK with three spires.

Truro Cathedral and narrow roads

The narrow roads by the cathedral make photos a little difficult, but the magnificent interior more than makes up for this.

Inside Truro Cathedral

Unlike many cathedrals nowadays entry is still free which, of course, is as it should be.


Wonderful carvings abound on the walls.

Staues and carvings on Truro Cathedral

If you are ever visiting Truro pop into the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary. You won't be disappointed!

Truro Cathedral, Cornwall

Friday 22 February 2019

The Village of Mousehole In Cornwall

The harbour at Mousehole, Cornwall

On Wednesday I mentioned a visit to Mousehole prior to heading for the Minack Theatre. Here are a few photos I took at the time.

The first mention of the village was around 1280. Old records show that pilchards were exported from Mousehole to France in the early 1300s. The village, by the way, is pronounced as 'Mowzel'.

Harbour wall and boats at Mousehole, Cornwall

It is said that the last native speaker of the Cornish language,  Dolly Pentreath, lived in Mousehole. She died in 1777.

Harbour and boats at Mousehole, Cornwall

The harbour and village, with its narrow cobbled lanes, are a delight to visit. Dylan Thomas  described Mousehole as "the loveliest village in England."  

Shop called Mousehole at the village of Mousehole, Cornwall

History shows that Mousehole was invaded by the Spanish in 1595, when all but one of the houses was burnt to the ground. But it's quite safe to visit now!

Cottages and houses at the harbour of Mousehole, Cornwall

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