St.Stephen-in-Brannel, Cornwall : An Old 1261 Church Plus Dozens and Dozens of Vintage Motorcycles.

I was in St.Stephen-in-Brannel, Cornwall on Wednesday. We had two reasons to visit the village, firstly to tend a grave in the churchyard - always a sad moment.

The church (as above) was dedicated on 20th August, 1261 but has had various renovations over the years. It is thought that this wasn't the first church here, as there are very ancient stone crosses in the churchyard.

Our second reason to visit St.Stephen was to visit Hawkins Garage. We bought a new car from the group last year and the first service was due. While waiting for them to complete the service we had a coffee in their café. 

Never having been in there previously we were surprised by all of the old motorcycles on display - dozens and dozens of them.

Must admit that I have never been into motorcycles. I remember when young most of my friends got motorbikes but I bought an old banger of a car instead. I think I realised the advantage of a back seat.

Anyway, I snapped a few quick photos of some of the motorcycles. It really is a museum and everything is so neat and tidy. As I understand it the café / museum is open six days a week and entry is free.

Here are just a few of the motorcycles … BSA ...

… Triumph ...

… Triumph Thunderbirds …

... and I believe this is a McKenzie. From the sign I see it was initially sold for 26 UK Guineas. 

 Even though I'm not that interested in motorcycles it made a fascinating half an hour looking at them. I'll stick with a car though!

Wandering Around Charlestown Harbour, Cornwall : 10 Photos

I was in Charlestown, Cornwall on Sunday morning and snapped a few quick photos as I walked round the harbour.

Quite a few people about and many were having coffee, or something stronger, at the Pier House.

The Charlestown Rowing Club entered the harbour after a rowing session at sea.

The rowers hauled their boat up the slope in front of the Pier House.

Several people were fishing from the harbour wall. I didn't see anyone, though, who had actually caught a fish.

There was only one tall sailing ship in the inner harbour.

A closer look at the tall ship.

From the main harbour to the inner harbour there is a narrow bridge. The level of the water is higher here.

Looking at the cottages which have views over the harbour.

The flags were about. Many of the cottages are now holiday homes.

The cottage below had their St.Piran Cornwall flags on display.

See also:
(1) A Stroll Around Poldark's Charlestown Harbour, Cornwall - 12 Photos
(2) Charlestown: Built to Export Copper Ore
(3) The Cave On Charlestown Beach, Cornwall

The Esplanade Hotel and Fistral Beach and Lots of Cars

In my previous couple of posts I mentioned that we stayed in Newquay for a few days. We were lucky enough to be gifted a free stay at the Esplanade Hotel, overlooking Fistral Beach - the white building in the photo above.

Below is a photo I snapped while having a coffee in their downstairs public rooms, overlooking the beach - thus the reflections in the picture.

Of course, while seeing the impressive beach, there is also a good view of cars - many cars - many, many cars.

Parking is limited and very few are lucky enough to get in the small hotel car park. This therefore means parking in the road - if you can find a space. I couldn't when I arrived and had to park a heck of a way from the hotel. In the photo below you can see cars continuously along the Esplanade, not a parking spot to be seen.

The difficulty is that beach-goers also park here when they are going to Fistral Beach. The situation improves after about six o'clock in the evening.

Here's where I eventually parked in the evening. I snapped the photo while my wife was rummaging in the boot for something or other - I blurred my car registration number.

The hotel has it's good and not so good parts. I enjoyed the food, both the three course meal in the evening and the full English breakfast. There were vegetarian options.

What I didn't like was the accommodation. We had a standard (small!) room, which looked out to the back of the hotel and, when we walked in, it was like an oven - no air conditioning. In fairness we found a fan but it didn't really help much. As well as the heat, there was lots of noise all through the night.

As I mentioned, I didn't have to pay for the room, but If I had I was informed it would have been £210 per night for a couple (including dinner and breakfast) and more for a higher standard room.

Finishing on a positive note the hotel has an enviable position with excellent views, as below, and we found all of the staff to be very friendly and pleasant.

See also:
(1) Newquay Cliff Tops Plus an Abundance of Sand at the Gannel Estuary, Cornwall 
(2) Photos of Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall

Newquay Cliff Tops Plus an Abundance of Sand at the Gannel Estuary, Cornwall

In my previous post I mentioned that we recently stayed in Newquay for a few days. As well as enjoying Fistral Beach we also walked in the opposite direction along the Esplanade.

It wasn't what I would call a 'proper' walk, more of an easy stroll, but it was nice to relax and enjoy the views without many other people about.

There were still a few wild flowers on the cliffs as the photos above and below show.

The walk / stroll was mostly along the cliff tops. Then came a view of Lewinnick Lodge on the Pentire Headland. This seemingly has 'boutique accommodation' along with being a restaurant and bar. It certainly has a fine position - when the weather is behaving itself.

We continued walking along the cliffs ...

… until, that is, we reached an abundance of sand at the Gannel Estuary.

If you like sand and lots of elbow room this must be paradise - but beware of the tides, this can also be a dangerous place to swim or wade.

There are also sand dunes.

As we approached the sand we noticed a fresh flower memorial had been left on the shrubbery. This must have once been someone's special place.

After enjoying the sand we followed the path back to where we started. All in all a very pleasant stroll.

See also:
Photos of Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall

Photos of Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall

On a previous post, Fistral Beach - One of Newquay's Finest For Surfing, the photos were taken on a wonderful sunshine day. I spent a couple of days in the area this week, when the weather was quite variable, so there appeared to be many faces of Fistral Beach as the photos show.

The day started with full sunshine, other than a few fluffy white clouds - photo above.

The long beach began to fill with surfers and sun lovers.

Gradually though a few more clouds appeared.

Later, the early evening had a slight chill, so not many people about.

A few cliffside flowers did their best to brighten the view.

Later that evening most of the people had gone and the majestic Headland Hotel took center stage.

The next day, the weather wasn't brilliant, a slight drizzle in the air, but the surfers were on their boards.

A few other Newquay Posts:
(1) Newquay, Cornwall - Wonderful Beaches, Stunning Views
(2) Newquay Harbour, Cornwall In 1875 and 2019  
(3) The Hue and Cry Made From A Huers Hut At Newquay, Cornwall

Par Market: More Than Just Being The Largest Market In The South-West

Par Market: okay, markets aren't exactly my favourite places to visit but this one does have some advantages. Firstly it claims to be the 'Largest in the South-West' and it is indoors, should you want to shelter from the rain - oh and it has Public Toilets ...

... and a picnic area if the weather is suitable ...

... and somewhere for the children to run free ...

… and also somewhere to walk the dog.

The market has a Food Hall with lots of fresh products and there is also a choice of places to eat or have a tea or coffee. To quote the market's literature:
"You will find some of the best local produce including meat, fish, fruit & veg, a bakery, cheese, wine, desserts and some quirky food items! 
There are also hot and cold meals served from several food vendors suitable for any time of the day including breakfast, fish and chips, fresh pasties, sandwiches, burgers and more!" 

There is a free car park.

Opening Hours (as at today's date) open every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 5 pm.

The Food Hall is open Wednesday to Sunday again 9 am to 5 pm.

The Peaceful St.Clement Church by the Tresillian River, Cornwall

St.Clement church, also known as the Church of Moresk, lies in and idyllic, peaceful setting close to the Tresillian River, which I mentioned in my previous post.

It is believed that the church was built in 1249 but was enlarged in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.

Visitors have to pass through the Lynch Gate, the smaller building with maroon windows in the above photo. It's interesting that in the mid 1800s the ground floor was used as a pigsty!

The memorial below is in the Lynch Gate in memory of William Callaway, who died in 1784. It reads:

Today of Health and Strength we boast :

Tomorrow brings us down to dust

May we while Time and Strength are given

Believe in Christ & live for Heaven

Moving on inside the church, all is peaceful. The font has an interesting story. It was found lying in a nearby ditch by the local vicar in 1864. It is said to have lain there for over sixty years! It's 14th century and is now used for its correct purpose.

A different angle of the inside of the church, towards the right of the photo is a marble monument to Samuel Thomas from the 1700s when it was described as being, "one of the finest pieces of marble in the West."

A closer look at the marble monument shows two allegorical figures against a pyramid. It is signed by Bacon, 1770.

It's a lovely peaceful church and we felt fortunate to be the only people in the building at the time of our visit.

In the porch is a set of stocks, unfortunately I didn't snap a photo. There is a story that ...

… in 1688 the stocks  were in St Austell. That year, Anne Upcott, the daughter of the  Vicar of St Austell and St Clement, was put in the stocks because  she had joined the Quakers - they were very unpopular at the  time. Anne’s father and brother jeered at her. 

Religion isn't always peaceful.