Walking at Golant, Cornwall

I like walking, as you may have gathered from my posts - and not necessarily following a pre-planned route. It's sometimes just nice to walk.

The photos today are of such a walk starting at Golant, Cornwall. We parked the car alongside the river. The tide was out as you can see from the photo below.

We passed the Fishermans Arms pub and headed for a footpath.

The yellow arrow on the sign indicated that this is a Public Footpath and the black cross shows that this is part of the Saints' Way.

We walked through the woods ...

... with glimpses of the River Fowey.

The path wiggled about but was clear of any hazards - not that we expected any!

The sunshine made it's way through the tree tops casting bright patches on the grass.

The trees gradually disappeared and the fields opened up before us.

Wild flowers tinted the fields.

And then ... well, I think this is my favourite view - photo below.

A few cattle joined us as we walked until ...

... we reached St.Sampson's Church.         

There was a lovely view from the churchyard. Oh yes, and the church has it's own Holy Well.

It was then downhill to the river and back to our car. 

All in all very pleasant and uplifting!

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A Walk With Stunning Views at Tintagel, Cornwall - 20 Photos
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33 Photos: Circular Walk Based On Gover Valley, St.Austell

Truro and Truro Cathedral, Cornwall

I have written previously about how difficult it can be to get a decent photo of Truro Cathedral - as it is surrounded by other buildings. It then dawned on me that there might be a view from the tall multi-story car park. 

Sure enough, there was a better view, as above - and the car park was empty on the top floor. I always park somewhere else.

Anyway, we were in Truro as my wife had a dental appointment. The view below is from our dentist's practice, with the cathedral hiding behind trees. 

While waiting for my wife I wandered along Boscawen Street which still has the original cobbled surface and drains by the pavement.

I then crossed the road by the Balisha Beacons. They were named after Leslie Hore-Belisha, a Minister of Transport who, in 1934, added the orange beacons to pedestrian crossings.

From there I passed some repairs being made ...

... and down a side road passed the Cornish Food Box.

After criss crossing a few roads I started to make my way back to the dentist in time to meet my wife - with her clean, white teeth!

And a final photo of Truro Cathedral from the top of the car park, but in my haste I chopped a little off one of the spires - bother!

Other Posts About Truro:
(1) Truro Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(2) Let Off The Lead In Truro and The Victoria Gardens - While The Cathedral Watches On.
(3) Comparing Old Cornwall With Today

First Class Dining On The Cornish Belle Steam Train From Bodmin & Wenford Station

It was a damp, rainy night and we had been given a booking for first class dining on the Cornish Belle. The 75178 steam train was scheduled to leave at 7 p.m. and the rain didn't put us off. We passed though the booking office and made our way to the platform.

The Bodmin & Wenford station is very much in a 1950s style, in keeping with the heritage trains which run from here.

My gosh, it was pelting down with rain as we made our way along the very wet platform.

We jumped into the carriage at the first opportunity and wandered along looking for our table number. Not many tables were taken as yet - as usual we were early.

The tables were neatly laid out ready for the diners.

Looking through the window the rain was still in full flow.

Luckily the menu had vegetarian options for me, while my wife chose Cornish beef for her main course. 

I didn't snap any photos of our meal as we just wanted to relax and enjoy our evening - while the steam train chugged along its journey.

It was after 10 p.m. when we arrived back at the station after our meal - and very nice it was too. 

The rain was still pouring down so I didn't get the photos I had hoped for. Nevertheless I managed a few shots of the Cornish Belle.

I snapped one photo in sepia as it seemed to portray a whole different era - a gentler, more polite era perhaps.

All in all, despite the rain, it was a very enjoyable evening.

A Trip Around Port Isaac, Cornwall - The Home of Doc Martin's Portwenn

This is a visit we made to the lovely Cornish village of Port Isaac. It has become quite famous since the Doc Martin television series, starring Martin Clunes, was filmed and based here under the name of Portwenn. It is also the home of the Fisherman's Friends singers. 

We parked the car at the top of the village and walked down to Port Isaac harbour. The sea around Cornwall seems quite magical as it changes to various  shades of colour. Houses are perched on the hillsides

By the harbour there are a few shops ...

... and The Krab Pot cafe.

The harbour has a small beach dependent on the tide. Looking upwards, it's possible to see Doc Martin's house. I have put a red dot on it's roof.

Looking out to the Port Isaac harbour walls and ...

... now looking inland from the beach.

There's a path leading up to the cliff side houses and a walk beyond.

There are lovely views over Port Isaac from the path and ...

... you pass Doc Martin's house (photo below).

After walking quite a way, we retraced our steps going down the path - with those lovely views.

Reaching sea level again we meandered through the village cottages.

There's a lot of up and down in the village. The photo below shows why it's advisable to park cars at the top of the village - the roads are very narrow ...

... and can be quite steep.

A last look at the harbour before making our way back to the car. Always an interesting place to visit but it does get busy in the main season because of the popularity of Doc Martin. We saw many people visiting from other countries.

The Owl Sanctuary and Reflections Of An Owl's Eye

A while back there were owls in our local town. They were from the Screech Owl Wildlife Park near Indian Queens, Cornwall. As I had my camera with me I snapped a few photos and put some money in their bucket. 

One of the photos really caught my eye - as I saw my own reflection in the owl's eye! Not a very elegant pose.

The Screech Owl Sanctuary isn't some sort of zoo for birds, they have admirable aims. To quote from their website:

# To provide care and rehabilitation for sick and injured wild owls in Cornwall. To ensure their safe release into the wild on recovery or, if permanently disabled, to provide a comfortable home in a suitable environment.

# To promote awareness of the conservation needs of owl species and their natural habitats by working with schools, youth organisations, groups and individuals of all ages.

More information on their website.

Indian Queens

The name Indian Queens, for the local village, is named after a picture which was once in an old Inn or Pub which stood beside the road leading to Goss Moor.

Some say the Picture was of Pocahontast, others say it was of  Queen Victoria - who was Queen of India. But, whatever. you'll find the Screech Owl Wildlife Park at Goss Moor, near Indian Queens.

Growing Apple Tree From A Pip - Plus Cornwall's Eden Project

Oh, me of little faith! 

Eight years ago my wife planted an apple pip in a small pot. 

"Why?" I asked. "So we can have an apple tree," she answered.

"Yes, but couldn't we just buy one?" 

"Ah," she replied, "but I like the flavour of this apple."

"Okay, okay!"

Over time the pip began to shoot and became, what I called a twig." 

"No, no!" she said it's an apple tree."

And so it went on year after year, but I had to admit that the bush or tree, or whatever it was, gradually got bigger - but not a flower or an apple did it produce.

Last year I threatened to dig it up. "No, no!" she cried." Okay, there weren't actually any tears but I did say one more year and that's it - full stop!

This year all was silent in the house when I heard much excitement, "It's got flowers, the apple tree has got flowers!" 

"Oh, great," I mumbled with as much enthusiasm as a damp squid. "It doesn't mean that there will be apples," I said in my best know-it-all tone of voice.

But now, today, I have to admit that there could well be apples growing on the pip tree - at least a dozen or so - the photo at the top of this post shows some of the evidence.

Now I know that Aristotle said that:  "One swallow does not a summer make, nor one fine day; similarly one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy."

I told my wife this but she said, "What on earth are you rambling on about, what's that got to do with apples? There will be apples on the tree, just you wait and see."

So I'm waiting to see. The proof will be in the eating of the apple pie!

And there's more:

Thought I'd better add a few photos to this post, so here are some flower pics from a visit to Cornwall's Eden Project a few days ago.

On the approach to the car parks there were beautiful fields of wild flowers.

Once inside the Eden Project we walked round the gardens to see some of the various flowers on display.

After meandering through flower gardens we headed for the Mediterranean Biome - can just see a glimpse of it in the photo below.

We only had a quick walk round the biome as there were so many people everywhere - children were on half term, so lots of visitors to Eden at such times. Just a couple of quick photos from the Mediterranean Biome.

And finally a few people below getting their first look at some of the biomes - always an impressive sight.

Luckily we have annual passes, so can often visit the Eden Project, preferably when it isn't quite so busy.

Also see:
Flavour of Cornwall's Eden Project - 15 photos
More Flavour of Cornwall's Eden Project - 14 photos