Thursday, 23 September 2021

The Village of Polgooth, Cornwall


Our feet led us to Polgooth, once a Cornish mining village. To do so we followed a public footpath but found it was nearly blocked by corn - sweet corn - which was as high as an elephant's eye.


We fought our way through the corn, okay a slight exageration, and was soon walking down one of the country lanes.


We reached Polgooth village and some of the old cottages.


But not all of the village houses are old, look at the one below for example. I wonder what the old 18th century tin miners would have made of such a design.


We followed the churns!


The antiques shop was closed but some bits and pieces were in the window.


We noticed the teapot with the motto: Be like a sundial. Count only sunny hours.


We then followed the route to the Polgooth Inn. We've had a few pleasant meals here over the years. Polgooth, by the way, means Goose Pond in the Cornish language.


Some old agricultural machinary languishing  on the grassy bank ...


... and cattle trotting up the green hill.


Pleasant to see poppies and other flowers still on the roadside banks.


The sign post could do with a clean but it details a few nearby places.


There are some interesting trees in the village.


Most of the roads haven't any pavements. So just as well there aren't too many cars about.


A typical road. It can be a bit sticky if two cars approach each other from different directions.


Look out, horses about!


A few horses enjoying the freedom of the green fields.


We are now approaching the main A390 road and the end of Polgooth. In the far distance are buildings used by the china clay industry.


Another corn field alongside the A390.


As we walked along the grass we spotted this lonely little toy dog. Perhaps lost by a child from the school on the opposite side of the road. I placed him somewhere he might be seen. 


This is the old St. Mewan school, there are newer buildings behind.


Next to the Old School is, of course, the Old School House, but no longer used by the school.

And finally a Post Box tucked away at the side of the road. Our car was parked nearby, so it was homeward bound for a pot of tea.


Many thanks for visiting my blog, all good wishes for the weekend and week ahead~ Mike.

Friday, 17 September 2021

A Lovely walk Along Cornwall's Coastal Path From Menabilly - Plus a Few Extras


The sun was out, the sky was blue so we headed for the sea - to Menabilly to be precise. As I have mentioned previously this is Daphne du Maurier country. The house at Menabilly was Du Maurier's Manderley in her book, Rebecca.

The Car Park (a farmer's field) is down a very narrow road, so you have to breathe in deeply if a car comes from the opposite direction.


After depositing fifty pence in the milk churn, as requested, we set off walking towards the sea.


For one instance the sky appeared to be extra blue, so all was well with the world.


There were still a few flowers remaining in the hedgerows.


Ah-ha, there's Gribbin Head and the tower in the distance. The water is for the farm animals, not that there were any of them about.


The Gribbin Tower seemed to get larger as we walked. It was built in 1832 and is a daymark to enable ships and other craft to pinpoint the approach to Fowey harbour.


To visit the Gribbin Head it is a right turn at the wooden walkway - and keep on walking uphill.


We walked the opposite way to Polridmouth Beach. The tide was out.


We then followed the coastal path going east. This is part of the private estate where Daphne du Maurier once lived. The tide was a long way out.


I wandered across the damp sand, which seemed quite a distance, when looking back at the house.


I had time for a paddle!


This is the lake on the estate ...


... and the lake's overflow. From here we carried on our walk along the coastal path towards Fowey. When we'd had enough we turned around and meandered back to our car. A lovely day out!


MOVING ON... One evening during the week we had a walk  in Mevagissey. Hardly anyone about, so all was quiet and peaceful.


The sea wasn't too choppy.


The Mevagissey lighthouse was doing its duty and was sending out its light.


A few fishing boats were resting quietly.


Not too sure of the quality of the fish they are catching - judging by the selection of fish on display below.


A final photo before making our way home.


MOVING ON ... The next day I had to go into St Austell for an eye test. The church tower dominates over the newer style shops.


I noticed this new artwork at the back of the shops. The theme is about Illegal money lenders who, it seems, can cost people more than an arm and a leg!


MOVING ON AGAIN ... A couple of flower photos. The first is of 0ur spider plant, such small, delicate flowers.


And this beauty has just flowered in our garden.


Many thanks for visiting my blog, hope you have an interesting week ahead. 
All good wishes ~ Mike.

Friday, 10 September 2021

A Taster of Cornwall's Eden Project - 27 Photos


Here we are at Cornwall's Eden Project. The first view visitors see are the biomes, as above. There must be thousands of people who have a similar photo.


We usually visit the Wild Cornwall walk first as there are some nice views of the Biomes and beyond.


There are also some other interesting bits and pieces like the memorial leaves fixed to rocks.


A newish addition is the Labyrinth as below, which seemed to interest several children. There could, however, be more to this than expected.


The photo below is something I snapped a photo of, in the Rocky Valley on Cornwall's north coast. There are actually two such rock face carvings - and are said to be from the Bronze Age about 1800 t0 1400BC.


Moving on, I guess Eve has seen many things come and go in her lifetime.


We are now in the Mediterranean Biome for the next four photos.





Also in the Mediterranean Biome was a robin who seemed to follow me about.


There he was again looking at me - robins are one of my favourite birds, so very friendly.


Two more photos from within the Mediterranean Biome.




Now we have moved to the Rainforest Biome for the next three photos.






Watch out for the orangutan, okay he's not real but orangutans are often called the gardeners of the forest.

The sculptor, James Wild, has used scrap metal as his artistic medium.


A small stream within the biome.


Also a West Africa Crop Shop.


Three more photos from the Rainforest Biome.






On high is a rope bridge, quite wobbly but fun.


This is the source of the water within the biome, a waterfall.


That's all for today. Hope you have an interesting weekend and week ahead ~ Mike.