The Pleasures of Mawgan Porth Beach, Cornwall

This is Mawgan Porth beach. A while back the Times Newspaper included the beach in it's Top 10 Holiday Beaches. They wrote: There are better known and busier beaches in Cornwall, but few can match the raw beauty of Mawgan Porth, on the north coast near Newquay.  Shielded on both sides by cliffs, it has acres of soft white sand, rock pools, caves and magical sunsets.

The first five of today's photos, of Mawgan Porth, were snapped as the tide was going out on a lovely sunny early morning - so not very many people on the beach - perfect!

The tide does go out a long way, as can be seen by the photo above, but it leaves behind soft squelchy sand with a few clear water pools - oh, and beautiful clean air - breathe deeply - ahhhh!

When the tide is out it's possible to explore caves in the cliffs, which are normally hidden by the sea.

The following three photos were again snapped in the morning, but the sky wasn't so blue and the sea perhaps not so inviting. This is the Atlantic coast so the waves are suitable for surfing.

A small river joins the beach ...

... while the waves start to build.

Mawgan Porth is situated between Newquay and Padstow on Cornwall's north coast.

The Race Is On For The Working Boats

While on a boat trip from Truro to Falmouth, we were lucky enough to encounter a race for working boats. 

They are known as Truro River Oyster Dredging Boats - the name describes their purpose. Traditionally they were made of wood and are also referred to as Falmouth Working Boats. I think the photos - above and below - are all self explanatory.

St. Mawes Town and Castle By Boat

Today it's St.Mawes on Cornwall's Roseland Peninsula. The photos were all snapped last year while on a boat.

St.Mawes town lies on the banks of the Carrick Roads

The photo above is looking towards the St. Mawes Sailing Club, the Post Office, a cafe and bank.

Now we have two photos of St.Mawes Castle, again looking from the water.

The castle was built between 1540 and 1545, as part of a defensive chain of fortresses by Henry VIII to protect Cornwall and England's south coast. It is now open to the public.

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.