Sunday 30 June 2019

The Meeting With Barrel Jellyfish at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall

Carlyon Bay beach, Cornwall

There is a long beach at Carlyon Bay St.Austell, Cornwall. 

The photo above was snapped after I had walked to the far end of the sand - so not many people about! Well, none actually! It gets much busier though at the height of the summer season. 

This end of the beach was once a designated for naturists. I'm not sure if this still applies as the beach has confusing plans for redevelopment - mind you this has been promised / threatened for many years, but actual building work has never commenced.

The other end of the beach (photo below), nearest the car park, is quite popular. There are rocks to explore and so on. Some people are even brave enough to plunge into the water.

The rocks and beach with holiday makers at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall

You have to be a little aware, if close to the cliffs, as there are rock falls occasionally.

Rockfalls at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall

When we walked to the far end of the beach all was peaceful, other than a young seagull blowing in the wind.

A young seagull on the beach at Carlyon Bay

But then we spotted something in the sea - jellyfish - big ones!

Barrel Jellyfish seen at Carlyon Beach

They are Barrel jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo) and are said to be the largest in UK waters. I ,have read that they can grow as large as a dustbin lid - and are sometimes, therefore, known as dustbin-lid jellyfish. 

Barrel jellyfish in the water at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall

The jellyfish can sting but this is not normally harmful to us humans.

Barrel Jellyfish at Cornwall Bay, St.Austell

The jellyfish aren't at Carlyon Bay all of the time! They are most likely to be seen in May or June when the waters start to warm. They can get washed ashore if they swim too near the beach.

Jellyfish in the sea at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall

There always seems to be something interesting on a long beach. I have seen a very large fin whale washed ashore at Carlyon Bay, which was quite upsetting. More on that perhaps another time.

After walking the full length of the beach we retraced our footsteps to the most popular section - and the flags were flying!

Carlyon Bay welcome on the beach.

As we walked back to our car - up a hill unfortunately - I snapped a final photo looking out to sea.

Looking out to sea and coastline from Carlyon Bay, Cornwall

Friday 28 June 2019

A Stroll Around Poldark's Charlestown Harbour, Cornwall - 12 Photos

Charlestown Harbour, Cornwall

Had a mooch round the harbour at Charlestown, Cornwall yesterday morning (27-June-19). It was a lovely sunny day, though the sea was quite choppy because of a cooling wind - as you can see by some of the photos.

Most of the photos are self explanatory so I won't waffle on too much.

Charlestown harbour, Cornwall entrance

Steps on Charlestown harbour, Cornwall

I did get a bit of a soaking when the sea splashed against the harbor wall - hair and shirt got quite wet!

Choppy sea at Charlestown Harbour, Cornwall

The two gentlemen below were fishing from the sea wall but didn't seem to have much success.

Fishing from Charlestown Harbour wall

The next photo is looking west from the harbour wall, there is yellowish lichen on the top of the wall.

Looking west from Charlestown Harbour wall

Still looking west there is a small beach.

Small beach to the west of Charlestown Harbour, Cornwall

The Pier House is convenient for a coffee or a beer. They also do meals - we had a very pleasant family meal there on my wife's birthday.

Pier House, Charlestown, Cornwall

Charlestown Harbour, Cornwall

The cliffs below, and the beach, are to the east of the harbour.

beach to the east of Charlestown Garbour, Cornwall

Looking down at the adjoining port there are two tall sailing ship in dock. One was used for Poldark scenes. Charlestown has got considerably busier since the Poldark factor.

Tall sailing ships at Charlestown, Cornwall

And finally a view of the port.

Tall sailing ship in port at Charlestown, Cornwall

You might like these posts as well:

(1) Stepping Back In Time At Charlestown

(2) Walking The Beach at Charlestown, Cornwall

(3) The Cave On Charlestown Beach, Cornwall

Wednesday 26 June 2019

What The Low Tide Reveals at Spit Beach, Cornwall

Looking across to Gribbin Head, Cornwall

It had been a moody day weather-wise, but the rain had finally ceased. I decided I wanted to go to Spit Beach, Par. Not an obvious choice - I have said previously the beach isn't everyone's cup of tea.

I wanted to visit Spit, though, at low tide. I checked the tide times and off we went, the tide was exactly what I wanted.

Spit Beach is tucked away next to an old china clay works. So the path is none too pretty!

Path to Spit beach, Cornwall

The path has good views though of the China Clay works - if such things interest anyone.

Walking to Spit Beach, Cornwall by china clay works

There is a footbridge to cross to get to the beach. This always brings back memories of my border collie, Toby. For some inexplicable reason he would not walk over this bridge, so I had to carry him! I never knew what his problem was with the bridge as he never refused to walk anywhere else.

Footbridge on way to Spit Beach, Cornwall

After about ten minutes walk we arrived.at Spit Beach. 

Spit Beach, Par, Cornwall

I wanted to visit Spit at low tide so I could see the cliffs, caves and rocks not normally visible. I find cliffs and rocks fascinating.

The cliff in the photo below has an opening large enough to walk through.

Cliffs with pth through them at Spit Beach, Cornwall

The rocks and cliffs continue ...

Cliffs at Spit Beach, Par, Cornwall

... and it's possible to peek through the cliffs to the sea and beyond.


Spit Beach Cliffs, Cornwall

Looking out to sea shows rock pools and seaweed normally covered by water.

rock pools at Spit Beach, Cornwall at low tide

Looking along the beach, and in the far distance, is Gribbin Head - one of my favourite places to walk.

Looking across Spit Beach towards Gribbin Head, Cornwall

As the tide is out it's possible to walk (scramble!) along the coast to where there are two caves. 

Caves at Spit Beach, Cornwall, at low tide

Lots of rocks to view ...

Rocks on Spit Beach, Par, Cornwall

... and there are odds and bods in the rock pools.

Crab and seaweed on Spit Beach, Par, Cornwall

Finally we retraced our footsteps along the beach.

Looking across Spit Beach to Gribbin Head, Cornwall

And, before leaving for home, I snapped a quick photo of the inlet leading to Par Beach.

Looking across Spit towards Par Beach

See also:
A Short Walk From Spit Beach to Carlyon Bay
Par Sands : Photos of Beach and Surroundings

Monday 24 June 2019

The Magical, Mysterious Waterfall at St.Nectan's Kieve, Cornwall

St.Nectan's Kieve and Waterfall, Cornwall

My previous post was about St.Piran's Holy Well and St. Piran's Church. From the same area - Trethevey - there is a walk to what is often known as St.Nectan's Waterfall. This is a quite magical and mysterious place to visit. The photo above shows the waterfall.

First though it's a walk alongside a couple of cottages.

Cottages walking towards St. Nectan's Waterfall, Cornwall

And after a short while, the sea on Cornwall's north coast comes into view across the fields.

Views of sea and countyside walking to St.Nectan's Waterfall, Cornwall

The path becomes wooded and St.Nectan's Glen, with it's waterfall, is at the top of the valley.

Walking through woods towards St, Nectan's Waterfall, Cornwall

The path through the woods continues ...

Woodland near St.Nectan's Waterfall, Cornwall

... until the waterfall is reached - well, nearly. Unfortunately this is on private ground so there is a charge to continue to the waterfall itself (see current prices here).

Virtually at St.Nectan's Waterfall, Cornwall

At last we are at St.Nectan's waterfall. 

 St.Nectan's Waterfall and Kieve, Cornwall

To be correct though we are actually at St.Nectan's Kieve (Kieve being the Cornish word for wash tub!)

It's an idyllic, almost spiritual place, with a touch of magic thrown in. The waterfall cascades about 60 feet. It has been an inspiration for many writers and artists, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries.

St.Nectan's Waterfall, Cornwall

Charles Dickens visited the site with his friend the artist, Daniel Maclise. This resulted is the romanticised painting as seen below, which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1843. 

The woman in the painting is believed to be Georgina Hogarth, Dickens sister-in-law.
All around the Kieve there are ribbons on trees with messages left by visitors.

Ribbons on trees at St.Nectan's Waterfall

The area can get a little busy at the height of the tourist season - my photos were snapped when all was reasonably quiet.

Ribbons people have left at St. Nectan's Waterfall, Cornwll

As well as all of the ribbons there are stone messages and thoughts left by visitors.

Messages on stones left at St.Nectan's Waterfall, Cornwall

I think it's a lovely spot, the hole in the rock makes the waterfall a bit special.

St.Nectan's Waterfall, Cornwall

There is a money tree as well - lots of coins pushed into a tree trunk. The reason for this is as per my blog post The Cornish Piskies and the Money Tree.

A magical money tree, St Nectan's Waterfall, Cornwall

To quote the owners about the Kieve: "this is a place where animals and birds play amid a mysticism of fairies, piskies, serenaded by the wonderful sound of bird song". 

St.Nectan

To finish the post there is a mystery or perhaps a legend!

It is said that shortly before his death St.Nectan threw his silver chapel bell into the waterfall. On his death his body and other treasures were placed in a chest beneath the rocks in the kieve.

The years passed until a group of miners attempted to blast their way through to the treasure, but this proved unsuccessful. 

As they were leaving they heard the ringing of a bell and then came an invisible voice which said, "The child is not yet born who shall recover the treasure."

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