Photos of Par Beach Cornwall Plus a 500 Year Old Bridge

On my previous post I mentioned Par beach, so I thought that today I'd follow on from there. As you can see in the photo above, the tide goes out a long way - a very long way!

Below is looking inland with the sandy beach in the distance.

Some ripples left behind by the tide.

Also left behind by the tide was this attractive jelly fish. I think it might be a Compass Jellyfish (Chrysaora Hysoscella) though I'm not certain.

Slowly getting nearer to the sea and the seaweed. 

Looking towards the end of the beach you might just be able to see the china clay works, which has its own harbour.

There were lots of patterns in the damp sand. I could make out all sorts of patterns and faces.

Nearing the far end of the beach, with green fields inland.

At the end of the beach, by the clay works, is a river and most times there are swans to be seen. It looks like some of the family are missing, hope they are okay.

As we walked inland more green fields and wild flowers in the dunes.

As the sign states there is a clay trail starting here but we walked the opposite way.

At the back of the beach there is Par Sands Holiday and Caravan Park with caravans and mobile homes - as per the photo below.

There are also lodges with a view of the small lake.

And this is the lake from the opposite side. Many birds congregate here. Lots of Canadian geese on my visit but usually swans, ducks and so on.

From Par Beach there is access to Cornwall's coastal path. There's a lovely walk to Polkerris, with it's small harbour and beach. See my post Polkerris Harbour, Cornwall on a Perfect Sunshine Day. Photo of Polkerris below.

You'll find the coastal path from the Par Beach car park. Looking towards the sea it's on your left towards the back of the car park.

 A FEW OTHER BITS

In a previous post I mentioned the ceramic art work on display in St. Austell town centre. I've just noticed another piece I previously missed.

On the outskirts of  St.Austell town there is a very old bridge that is rarely given a second glance. It no longer carries traffic, other than perhaps a few bicycles. This is a shame because the bridge is well over 500 years old.

We know it's minimum age because it was mentioned by someone called John Leland in 1538. He was King Henry VIII's Chaplain who was sent out around the country to gather material for a history of England.

Leland, sometimes spelt Leyland, didn't seem to think much of St. Austell as he wrote (in old English): "... the poore toun of St Austelles is nothing notable but for the paroch chirch. And there is a bridge of the same name."

Below is the bridge. Hard to imagine that crossing this was then the main route into St. Austell from the west.

And finally, the lilies in our garden have ventured forth.

Thanks for visiting my blog, hope you have an interesting week ~ Mike.

Geese, Par Beach, Sand Dunes and Flowers

The sun was shining  so we went along to Par Beach, on Cornwall's south coast, for a walk.

Years back we had two caravans on the site, which we let out to holiday makers. So it was interesting to see how things had changed.

All was well with the world and the geese seemed content on the lake - along with a couple of swans and numerous ducks.

Par isn't a favourite beach, but it's quite a long stretch and the water is usually quite shallow and placid.

We crossed the sand dunes to walk on the flat sand.

Then, wham bang, the weather changed within a few minutes. The sky wasn't quite as inviting.

The sea wasn't too inviting either. It's usually flat and shallow but waves rolled in.

As it looked like rain we headed back across the sand dunes to find our car.

You often find in Cornwall that if you move along the coast a little the weather can be quite different. This was the case on our trip.

We wandered down a few lanes and there were flowers galore ...

... even a host of golden daffodils ...

... and some camellias.

Plus bright gaudy colours.

Amongst the woods an old wall was covered with moss ...

... and there was more moss on the trees - made me think of Christmas, which I didn't really want to think about!

We decided to make our way back home, a mug of tea was the order of the day - okay, and a biscuit. Yes, a chocolate one or maybe two.

All good wishes, thanks for visiting my blog.