A Visit to the Lost Gardens of Heligan - 15 Photos

We decided to visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan to see how they had coped with the coronavirus. 

At the time of writing it is necessary to book a timed visit, on their website, in advance. It all worked okay and we found there was plenty of room to walk without bumping into anyone - so felt safe while at the gardens.

To be truthful, the gardens weren't up to their usual high standard, not an abundance of flowers as usual, but I feel sure they will soon be back on track now that they are open once more. Everything is neat and tidy.

We walked our normal route - an archway of apples.

And, of course, apples - of various varieties.

A few veg.

Corn in front of the greenhouse.

I love some of the old walls where the brickwork is so weathered.

We walked into the Sundial Garden.

A few flowers

A pleasant seat and ...

... of course, a sundial.

Looking back down the Sundial Garden. 

I forgot to mention the Thunder Box Room, which is considered to be a 'Living Memorial'. Yes, it's an old fashioned toilet but, as the gardens were being discovered, the names of some of the gardeners from August, 1914 were found written on the wall.

By the Thunder Box Room there is also a metal helmet on a wall from World War 1. One of the interesting things about Heligan is its history.

I have only scratched the surface of the Lost Gardens of Heligan on today's post. Please also see some of my many other posts on Heligan, try, for example:

Lost Gardens of Heligan - Voted UKs Top Visitor Garden

Or enter Heligan in the search box towards the top of this blog on the right.

Thank you.

Charlestown Harbour, Port and Sailing Ships - Plus Prostitutes in the 1700s and1800s

Okay, I know there has been a recent post on Charlestown but these are all different photos from a separate visit. As you can see the sky was blue.

How lucky is the owner of the house below, it overlooks the sea and also the harbour.

The small beach looked tempting but ...

... there weren't many people enjoying the sea.

It was, however, quite busy on one of the harbour walls next to the beach.

A few tall ships in Charlestown Port, always interesting to see.

Another sailing ship. Note the chute to the left of the photo. This would have once been used to load ships with local china clay.

The small boat below was initially used in the Hornblower television series. It has been used in other TV shows and films including Poldark, Taboo and Ammonite.

The vessel is an example of an 18th century boat used for carrying goods and people to shore.

Looking across the fields and houses.

Finally Eleven Doors. I think you can probably guess from how it got its name. Yes, there were eleven doors but there is also something else for which it was well known: prostitution! 

Not nowadays, of course, Heaven forbid, but in times of old (early 1700s to mid 1800s). 

At the time Charlestown was famed for its smuggling by 'free traders'. The prostitutes would await for custom by the Eleven Doors.

And on that note, that's all for today. Thank you for your visit.

Cornwall Random Photos

A few odd photos today. Starting off above with a bottle of Cornish Korev lager and a cheese platter!

The lager was from my son and the platter is something meaningful to me.

When my mother was 83 she decided to do a pottery course at night school. The cheese platter is one of the items she made. 

Cornish Fudge

Mum decorated it in a meaningful way to her and, I guess, to me. According to her version of events Bambi was the first film I ever saw at a cinema. Seemingly I cried so much when Bambi's mother died that the usherette told my mother that we would have to leave if I didn't stop my tears!

Moving on, the photo below, with many reflections, was a snap  through the kitchen window from outside. Reminded me that I must get my hair cut!

I did say they were odd photos and the one below is a pattern on one of our our kitchen walls - as seen in the photo above.

Goodness knows how the next photo was taken. I must have touched the camera screen accidently or something. It's part of our house and part of me!

Anyway, this is how the back of our house should look.

And a few random garden plants and flowers.

I caught this duo on a local roof while on an early morning walk. We get quite a few gulls locally - some quite big - when they decide to take a trip inland.

And finally a couple more Cornwall products I received back on Father's Day - plus the fudge and a few Korev lagers as seen in other photos.

That's it for today, thanks for the visit. Best wishes.

Walking Cornwall's Coastal Path From Polkerris

Following on from my previous post. After visiting Polkerris we decided to walk west along the coastal path.

The only snag in doing this is that it's all uphill from Polkerris to reach the path. There's a short flight of wooden steps, as below, and then the rest of the way to the top is via uneven stone steps. (I counted 124)

Anyway, once up the top it's quite pleasant with the sea and distant views.

The path is mostly easy walking, but some of the farmer's fields have barbed wire to keep walkers out.

Saw this boat making waves and showing off by making patterns in the sea. It looked fun.

A view looking back (east) along the coastal path.

And the path ahead.

Had a quick look at Booley beach. As usual not many people about.

A few sheep in the farmer's fields, some had been shorn.

We watched the sheep dog rounding up the sheep into a tight group. 

I love border collies, we had one for years, he was such a wonderful dog. If out walking with the family or friends, and a few were lingering behind, Toby would try to round them up - pure instinct.

In places, along the coastal path there are some quite steep drops, so have to show a certain amount of respect.

Shallow water near Par, where the tide goes out a long way. Fun for children though - and dogs!

And finally I was lucky enough to snap these two swallows sitting on the barbed wire fence. They seemed quite happy to have their photo taken. Made a nice end to our walk.

Other nearby walks: Walking From Ready Money Cove, Fowey to Gribbin Head, Cornwall

Walking to Black Head, Cornwall - With Magnificent Views of Coastline

Polkerris, Cornwall the Fortified Harbour with an Inn on the Beach

A bit of a dull day but we thought we'd have a look around Polkerris, a cove on Cornwall's south coast, as we hadn't visited there this year.

It was once known as Pollkerys, which may have been from the old Cornish word Porth meaning a harbour of haven. The kerris bit is from another Cornish word meaning to fortify or enclose - so it's a fortified harbour - well, was once upon a time.

To reach the harbour and beach you pass the Rashleigh Inn.

Many years back we often came here, with friends, for a meal or a drink. On a Friday night there would be singing of some of the old traditional Cornish songs, always enjoyable - but life moves on, children and other things.

That's the harbour wall in the photo below.

The harbour was created in the 18th century. I love old walls, rocks and stones - that's why there are a couple of photos of the harbour wall. Imagine all those who have walked along them in the 1700s. What stories they could tell us.

Oh, and a third photo of part of the wall with a canon embedded . There are several of these, they are thought to be from the Napoleonic era. So, once upon a time, this was truly a fortified harbour as described previously.

A section of the cliffs behind the harbour wall.

Moving on, just a few boats in the harbour - the tide was retreating while on our visit.

Looking across to the Rashleigh Inn and other food outlets

A few boats, perhaps waiting for the tide to turn.

Some people like to hide away on the small beach whereas ...

… others seem to congregate at the front of the Inn.

The Rashleigh Inn has an outside terrace with seats, perfect on a summer's evening.

Also see: 
Photos of the Magical Polkerris Harbour, Cornwall on a Perfect Sunshine Day