Saturday, 10 October 2020

Walking to Malpas, Cornwall Alongside the River


We decided on a shortish walk starting at Boscawen Park, Truro - where there is free car parking. From here there are views of the cathedral, though it looks better when the tide is high.

From here we walked alongside the Truro River. The park's playing fields and the trees are all very pleasant.


The river is quite muddy when the tide is out.


So, a muddy view follows. I read that the mudflats are feeding grounds for wildfowl and wading birds as well as fish species including European sea bassthicklip grey mulletEuropean flounder and European eel


The sun popped out brightly as we reached the aptly named Sunny Corner.


Several small boats on parade - real stick in the muds though!


The Flower Pot Family welcomed us with a smile.


It was then time to climb some steps onto a footpath, which led through the woods.


The path took us to Malpas Village. The only problem on the path was that the tall trees hid the views of the river.


Perhaps we hadn't missed much as the river was still very muddy. 

At Malpas the river becomes the Tresillian River, which later flows into the River Fal.


There are some pleasant houses in the village overlooking the river.


A few small boats visible now.


The river widens as it makes it's way between the tree laden banks.


Bits and pieces  to enjoy on the river.


For a moment the river sparkled in the sun, all looked so peaceful.


This photo just because I like Porshe cars!


We started to retrace our steps ...


... passing the Heron Inn


In normal pre-virus days we would probably have had a drink here - but times have changed. We found somewhere overlooking the river to sit and devour our packed lunch - and a flask of tea (of course!)


We wandered back and soon found ourselves  at Sunny Corner once more. There's a veranda here with seats, so we sat for a while - as there was no one else about.


We then made our way back to Boscawen Park.


The park usually has some impressive flower beds but this year they have been sowed with wild flowers - beginning to fade now though.


The cricket pitch looked well cared for - with the score board in position.


It was then just a short walk back to our car.

A couple of other random walks:

Tuesday, 6 October 2020

A Dozen Photos of South Cornwall Near St. Austell Bay


A dozen mixed photos taken when I was out and about. Must have been up early to catch the misty view of Gribbin Head above - can just make out the Gribbin Tower.

And below a couple of horses pleaded to have their photo taken, so I couldn't refuse. Never look a gift horse in the mouth.


Looking down from the foot bridge over the railway lines at St. Austell. The church always dominates the town.


Here we are now, under a viaduct, looking at the river.


More water and for some inexplicable reason it made me think of the biggest high quality gold nugget ever found which weighed more than 150 lb. No, it wasn't found in Cornwall but was discovered by two Cornish men, John Deason and Richard Oates in 1869. They found it when prospecting near Moliagul in Australia. The men sold it for £9,532. According to an Internet calculator this would be 793263.07 in today's money! 
A terrace of old cottages ...


... and a few more overlooking the countryside.
A small cul de sac and in the distance the only high rise block of flats in Cornwall.


If in Cornwall the sea is never too far away - a bollard for boats, not that there were any about, but I remember it had rained quite heavily thus the puddle.


A sea wall built of local stone ...


... and someone walking on the wall.


The glistening sea at the end of another busy day.


Friday, 2 October 2020

A Return to Charlestown Harbour and the Old Sailing Ships

We hadn't been to Charlestown since July because of the coronavirus but, on a chilly day, with only a few people about, we decided to see if any old sailing ships where in dock.

Looking over the wall, behind the building above, all looked very bright and inviting.
Usually there are lots of people walking the harbour walls but all was quiet.


Yes, there were old sailing ships in dock - though the weather was on the change.


A side view of the same sailing ship, with some of the harbour cottages looking down.


The photo below is looking upwards to the top of the main mast. A platform is often seen on such ships, way above the deck. It was known as 'The Fighting Top'.

The Fighting Top was an enlarged top, sometimes with swivel guns designed to fire down on the deck of an enemy ship. They could also be manned by snipers with muskets or rifles.
But all was peaceful while we were there and the canons were quiet.


Another view of one of the tall ships.


The morning was definitely getting colder. One family was crossing the narrow bridge homeward bound.


Looking over at the stony beach again a couple looked decidedly chilly but, good gracious, one hardy woman was having a swim! You can just see her head at the bottom of the photo. I preferred to have a cup of tea!


Three previous posts on Charlestown:

Tuesday, 29 September 2020

A Choice of Walks in Looe, Cornwall


A quick post today. Looe has some lovely walks other than walking through the town or alongside the river.

Three such walks start in the Millpool car park, where most visitors usually park their cars.


The car park is next to the river, so has some lovely views taking in Kilminorth Woods. 

One of the walks includes a visit to the Giants Hedge, believed to be a 6th century earthwork. Probably built for defence purposes.


All of the walks begin at the far end of Millpool car park where there is a large wooden gate and a map / information board. There are a choice of three colour coded walks. The photo below is where the walks start out.


So everything is nice and easy and you shouldn't get lost! But, of course, there is a snag: you have to pay a car parking fee. On my last visit the charges were as follows.

~ Up to 1 hour - £0.70
~ 1 to 2 hours - £2.30
~ 2 to 3 hours - £3.60
~ 3 to 4 hours - £4.70
~ 24 hours - £5.70


Also see my recent post on Looe itself:


The Fishing Port of Looe, Cornwall

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