The Cornish Piskies and the Money Tree

While walking at Heligan I came across these lovely fungi on an old tree. But this was no ordinary tree, as it is a money tree - notice all of the coins pushed into the bark. So why do people part with their money in this way? It's all down to the piskies (Cornish pixies).

It is said that to ensure safe passage on your journey, the piskies will apply an invisible charm on any passer by - but only if a small toll is paid by placing a coin in the tree. But warning! warning! warning! if any passer by should take a coin from the tree they will incur the wrath of the piskies ... and you definitely wouldn't want that!

The photo below is another such tree I snapped - but I can't remember where it was! I think the piskies must have addled my memory as I passed by. Some things are meant to stay secret!

The Face of Neptune the Sea God at Charlestown, Cornwall

The face of Neptune the Sea God seen at Charlestown, Cornwall.  The carving has been created from the remains of a tree outside one of the cottages. It was carved by Peter Martin and commissioned by Sarita and Jason Miller. 

Neptune has a purpose, and it is to raise funds for the local Little Harbour children's hospice. Picture takers are asked to pop some money in a box for the charity. 

If you are in Charlestown and snap a photo, please leave a few coins to help terminally ill children. This is a genuine charity and one I donate to personally. I look at my young grandchildren, who are healthy and robust, and realise how lucky I am.

The carving has weathered since I snapped these photos.

As I understand it Neptune was the god of the sea, in Roman religion, and was the brother of Jupiter and Pluto.

A Normal Day In St.Austell

Just a normal day - if there is such a thing. My wife wanted to pop into a shop in St.Austell town and, as I'm not that keen on shops, I stayed in the car park and snapped the photo above showing the church.

We then headed for a dose of fresh air along the footpath at Carlyon Bay.

The footpath passes the rear of the Carlyon Bay Hotel.

But then the sky dramatically changed, so we thought it advisable to return to the car before the rain came down - which it did!

Cottages At Veryan, Cornwall - Built To Keep The Devil Away

Some would say that Veryan, on the Roseland Peninsula, is one of Cornwall's loveliest inland villages. There are many attractive cottages, but the village is mostly famous for it's round houses.

There are five round houses or cottages. These thatched buildings were built around 1810 by the local vicar, a Parson Trist, for the use of local labourers. He also thought that they would be a decorative feature for the village - which indeed they are. Records show they cost £42 (about US$60) to build - inflation has a lot to answer for!

They are a strange design, being round, but there is a reason for this - to keep the devil away - from both the cottages and from the village itself. Maybe not away, as such, but as there are no corners in the cottages the devil has nowhere to hide. And for extra protection a cross has been placed on the top of each thatched roof.

Though the round houses are the main attraction I also particularly like the cottage shown in the photo below - such a superb thatched roof.

Other cottages, like the terrace below, perhaps aren't quite as glamorous but they all go to make up a very pleasant place to visit. The village was first mentioned in 1086, so has quite a history and is, therefore, very popular with tourists.

There are also many other attractions on the Roseland Peninsular: beaches, castles, churches and much more.

Trelissick House and Gardens With Stunning Maritime Views

Today we are at the Trelissick House and Estate. The photo above - showing the house - was snapped while on a boat travelling along the River Fal to Falmouth in the summer. 

All of the other photos were taken together in the month of March.

The house itself is quite strange - at least I think so. It was built initially in 1755 but each generation seems to have altered it's appearance. The neoclassical columns, for example, were erected by Thomas Daniell in 1824 on the assumption that this would signify his wealth and status. To me they don't seem to go with the rest of the building.

The gardens and grounds are quite extensive so plenty of room for visitors. While we were there the magnolias were in bloom and were a lovely sight.

The estate looks over the River Fal and it's possible to cross the river by a ferry, though there may be restrictions in the winter months.

A couple of photos follow of the gardens and estate.

We now move onto the water tower, photo below. This was built in 1865, and was erected as a reservoir for Trelissick House. The height of the tower ensured a good head of water for fighting fires. Today it has been converted to a holiday let - there is just one room on each of the four stories.

The gardens once more ...

... and finally a look across the fields. All very pleasant.

Other Gardens In Cornwall:

(1) A Flavour Of Cornwall's Eden Project: 15 Photos

(2) More Flavour of Cornwall's Eden Project - 14 Photos

(3)Thirteen February Photos of The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

(4) Lost Gardens of Heligan In Winter

Cornish Tin Mines: Towanroath Pumping Engine House

After parking our car at Chapel Porth we headed along the cliff top coastal path to see the Towanroath Shaft Pumping Engine House - as shown above.

The sea was quite lively. At this time of year (March) there are no lifeguards in attendance - but there is an emergency phone to the Coastguard Service.

The coastal path climbs the cliffs and there are lovely views over the sea.

Markers show the path to follow along the cliffs.

The path climbs gradually ...

... until the Engine House is in view. Of course it's possible to walk for miles along the path which can be seen in the photo.

Once upon a time Cornwall exported tin and copper worldwide, but the industry is no more.

 The engine house was once part of the Wheal Coates Copper and Tin Mine. 

It was built in 1872 and was used to pump water from the 600 feet deep Towanroath Shaft.

It's hard to imagine that this would have once been a hive of activity with tin and other minerals being exported all around the world. Nowadays mother nature has taken over ... but it's a lovely walk along the cliffs on the coastal path.

The building is Grade II listed so, hopefully  will remain in good condition for many years to come. It is now looked after by the National Trust.

Buildings, listed as Grade II (two), indicates that the buildings are “of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them.”

Cornwall's Very Own Cornish Money!

"What's this?" you may ask, "Surely Cornwall doesn't have it's own money." Well here are the front and reverse of a Cornish ten shilling note. But, of course, all isn't as it seems ...

... in the 1970s there were attempts to distribute Cornwall's own money by the Cornish Stannary Parliament who, at the time, campaigned for the restitution of Cornwall's rights to govern itself. More details can be seen on their website.

On the 15th of December 1974, Frederick Trull, self styled as the 'clerk to the Stannary', announced that he was to issue banknotes in four denominations under the name of the Cornish National Fund.

However, in 1975 Mr. Trull had a bit of bother! He attempted to 'arrest' court officials at St.Austell's Magistrate's Court where he was being tried for a motoring offence. 

He produced twenty-five pages of documents to 'prove' that the court had no jurisdiction over him in Cornwall. He lost the case and was found guilty of using threatening words and behaviour with intent to breach the peace.

He was subsequently dismissed from his post as clerk to the Stannary and was expelled from the organisation.

As Trull's signature (see photo) was on the Cornish banknotes, issued in 1974, they were all destroyed by burning - but I still have one of the original banknotes - number 2450!

There is more on Cornish currency on Wikipedia and photos of Frederick Trull, with the Cornish currency, can be seen on the Alamy website.

Other Money Posts:
Cornwall's Streets Are Filled With Money Waiting To Be Picked Up!