The Tide Was Out at Charlestown Harbour - and So Were the Spiders

The tide at Charlestown was a very long way out. This seemed to give everything a different perspective. Just look at the old sea groin below, almost looks like some long lost sea monster.

As for the harbour wall, it looked so different without the covering of the sea. Interesting to see the variation of the stones.

Looking back across the rough sand and stones all seemed as it has been for hundreds of years.



We walked alongside the cliffs.

Must stress though that some of the cliffs are liable to fall occassionally. So care has to be taken.

We reached a cave which I find fascinating.

Fascinating because if you look upwards, while inside the cave, there is a square hole to the very top of the cliffs. I've heard various reasons for the hole but the one I like best is one I may have written previously:

We go back to the days of smuggling. The smugglers would beach their boat and rush their contraband to the cave. There would be a rope dangling through the hole and this would be used by the smugglers associates to heave the goods to the top. They would then transfer the smuggled goods to a safe house - and the boat would  quickly take sail before the customs men could take any action.

Could be true!

Lots of seaweed on the shore and rock pools.

Looking across to Cornwall's green fields.

With the tide so far out Charlestown harbour looked so very different.

And now moving on to something completely different: spiders and cobwebs!

There seems to be an abundance of spiders and cobwebs everywhere at the moment.

We have even had spiders in the house, several of them have popped in to say hello. Some quite large.

I never kill spiders, as the old saying goes: If you want to live and thrive, let the spider run alive.

I caught the spiders using a glass and a card. They were then released outside. 

Moving on we visited the Eden Project with our son and his family. One of the exhibits I wanted to see again were the horses made of driftwood by artist Heather Jansch. I had read that she sadly died in July.

The horses have been by the entrance to the Eden booking office for a long time. I'm always fascinated how they have been created from genuine driftwood.

Many thanks for visiting my blog - how quickly time time passes. Enjoy every moment ~ Mike 

Going Bananas in Cornwall, Plus a Harbour and Lots of Heligan Flowers

Going bananas in Cornwall, well not quite but my son has bananas growing in his garden, as can be seen in the photo above.

Another view of his plant.

Actually, the plant looks to be quite a cool dude.

Here's a better photo of the plant - they often look quite scruffy following high winds or heavy rainfall.

Moving on to one of our regular walks in Charlestown. A dog was waiting patiently by one of the cottage gates.

Looking down on some of the ships and boats in dock. This area has a gate to retain the water and there is also a leat to keep it topped up.

Looking west from the Charlestown harbour wall.

As the tide was out it was possible to walk further along the cliffside - carefully!

Looking east at the harbour entrance.  Visiting boats will have to wait for the tide to change.

Moving on now to  the Lost Gardens of Heligan, another of our regular haunts.

Lots of flowers on display as can be seen by the next six photos.

We walked past the Potting Shed but not much potting was going on.

Lots of apples though.

This is the sundial which gives this garden its name - the Sundial Garden.

There is much more to see at the Lost Gardens of Heligan, it stretches over 200 acres. From the gardens its possible to see the sea in the distance.

Below some fungi spotted on an old tree and ...

... shhh! finally the Mud Maid sleeps peacefully.

Thanks for visiting my blog - have an interesting weekend and week ahead ~ Mike.

Charlestown Harbour and Copper Ore From 200 Years Ago

Okay, I know I have published several posts on Charlestown but, for this one, I've dug out some different photos - with the help of Sammy Seagull. We lingered on the back harbour wall for quite a while discussing life in general.

There were a few hardy souls on the beach in the background.

Just below us, built into the harbour wall, is a memorial which most visitors miss. 

It states: In memory of Thomas Penhall for 45 years the conscientious and devoted servant of the proprietors of Charlestown who died 24th April 1867

Looks like someone has been about with pots of paint to brighten up some of the old, unused machinery on the harbourside. The example below previously had arms to lift small boats in or out of the harbour.

I remember when I first moved to the area two men, I met through my work, persuaded me to go mackerel fishing with them. They lowered their small boat into the water and out we went into what I considered to be a very choppy sea.

After a while I felt quite seasick - and was, much to my embarrassment. We didn't catch any fish! Strange in a way as I love the sea. Nowadays though, I no longer eat fish or meat.

The remnants of a wagon and lines have recently been plonked near to the harbour as an exhibit. I guess there will be more to follow.

Now, the next photo may not seem too special but the cobbles that make up the yard are over 200 years old and were there for a reason - local Cornish copper.

'Bal maidens' and children would crush and sort the ore. Once cleaned the ore would be taken to this 'ore floor' by horse and cart where it would be divided into 100 ton piles to be sampled by an assayer. He would determine the copper content.

Smelting companies were then able to bid for the ore. Successful bidders would charter ships to call at Charlestown to load the ore. This would then be transported to smelters in South Wales, where they had plenty of coal. At the time it took four tons of coal to smelt one ton of copper ore.

Bal Maidens working on the ore

Moving on, a row of cottages which look out over the harbour.

The Pier House Hotel has extended its outside seating. Very pleasant on a sunshine day.

Next a small stall selling locally sourced scallop shells.

This is one of the two small stony beaches at Charlestown.

We started to make our way back to our car. I liked the old gatepost below, bet it could tell some tales.

A few wild flowers.

And finally the path heading towards Carlyon Bay where we had parked our car.

On the way home I wondered whose legs I had seen sitting quietly watching a house being built.

Thanks for visiting my blog enjoy the week ahead.