A Touch of Bude on Cornwall's North Coast

A few photos of Bude today starting, above, with a view of the coastline and below the pathway to Chapel Rock. It is often said that there was once a hermitage on the top of the rock - but this could well just be a legend.

Alongside the path are a few lobster pots.

A cottage by the beach. What a lovely position, though may not be so idyllic when a storm is raging. 

Looking across the sand dunes at brightly coloured houses and B & B  establishments.

A view of the beach across from Chapel Rock. 

Bude has a canal dating back to 1825, but it is no longer used for carrying goods.

The workings of the lock gates are to be seen ...

... in several places.

The canal is looking good, even if there are a few rain clouds about.

There is a pleasant walk along the canal's tow path.

After the dull canal moments a look at the beach again, while the tide is going out.

Oh, and I'll end with this fellow who was very camera shy. He just wouldn't move or turn round.

See also: 

Nanny Moore's Bridge in Bude

A Wonderful Display of Rocks, Cliffs, Pebbles and Sand at Northcott Mouth, Bude, Cornwall

Carlyon Bay, Cornwall in the Sunshine

 

I don't know what I was thinking! We only wanted a quick walk as we had other things to do. I suggested walking along the beach at Carlyon Bay.

We headed for the car park and there was a queue. It's normally free and empty out of season. Today though everyone seemed to want to head for the beach. 

As I had turned into the slip road to the car park I couldn't do an about turn as cars were following me. 

So, after paying £3, we had our walk. The first stretch of the Carlyon Bay beach had lots of people but, as most visitors don't like to walk, the far end of the beach was virtually empty.

Just the occasional person taking a selfie.

And the odd adventurous family who wanted a quiet life.

One thing I did notice was how much seaweed and other bits had been washed ashore.

We walked to the very end of the beach. There were a couple of boarders paddling and that was all.

We wandered back along the beach, following a young couple dressed more appropriately than we were.

Then, of course, there were more and more people enjoying the sea and the sand.

We did our best to avoid the crowds. The coronavirus hasn't disappeared completely.

It was a very hot day so can understand why many had headed for the beach.

As we made our way back to the car park all looked peaceful. I wouldn't have minded a swim!

Thanks for visiting my blog.

See also:

Looking For Lucky Shells at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall

The Meeting With Barrel Jellyfish at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall

St. Dennis, Cornwall and its Connection with a Beheaded Saint

An old story today from an 1865 book, originally written by a Robert Hunt. The story tells of St. Dennis and the links to the Cornish church of the same name. I have previously mentioned St. Dennis church in my post St. Denys, King Arthur and St. Dennis Church

"The patron saint of the parish church of St. Dennis, Cornwall was born in the city of Athens, in the reign of Tiberius. His name and fame have full record in the History of Saints of the Church of Rome. 

How his name was connected with this remote parish is not clearly made out. 

We learn, however, that the good man was beheaded at Montmartre and that he walked after his execution, with his head under his arm, to the place in Paris which still bears his name. 

At the very time the decapitation took place in Paris, blood fell on the stones of the courtyard of St. Dennis in Cornwall. Previously, to the breaking out of the plague in London, the stains of the blood of St. Dennis were seen again; and during our wars with the Dutch. The defeat of the English fleet was foretold by the rain of gore in this remote sequestered place.

William Hals the Cornish historian, with much gravity, informs us that he had seen some of the stones with blood upon them.  Whenever the phenomenon occurs again we may expect some sad calamity to be near."

Other Old Traditional Stories:

Who or What Are Cornish Knockers?

Old Cornish Ghost Story From 1800's

Bodmin Jail and a Hanging Watched by 25,000 People

The Smugglers Brew From Cornwall

My son gave me a box of Cornish Tea, described as a 'Smugglers Brew'. I drink a lot of tea, usually PG Tips mixed with Tetley - one tea bag of each in a teapot for two cups.

What fascinated me about the Cornish Tea, however, was that there was a poem about Cornwall on the box.

TEA BY THE SEA

Cornwall is the place to be,

With tea and scones by the sea.

Lovely weather all summer long,

How could one possibly go wrong.

Walking bare-footed on golden sand,

While couples are walking hand in hand.

From smugglers coves and tiny streets

To pubs and night clubs blaring their beats.

Driving your car down single lanes

Watching tractors plough their muddy plains.

Surfers flock to tidal waves,

Water crashing in to empty caves.

Pasties are what the Cornish do best,

If you don't believe me go try the rest.

Holiday camps are so much fun

When you could play all day or sit in the sun.

So next time you're sitting there, 

Drinking your tea

Remember that Cornwall is the place to be.

The poem was by Matthew McGuiness

Age 13 - Looe Community Academy

The tea tastes good too! Perfect 

with your scones, jam and cream

I guess, in an ideal world, we would all purchase local products and support local shops and businesses.

Must be time for tea! I prefer mine in a white mug.

Walking the Camel Trail From Wadebridge Towards Padstow

We hadn't visited the Camel Trail for quite a while so thought we would walk along part of the trail starting at Wadebridge and heading towards Padstow.

The trail follows the path of two former train lines so is nice and flat.

We parked in a side road just before the bridge which leads into Wadebridge town.

The photo below shows the view from the old bridge, taking in a newer bridge as well.

The Old Bridge was built over the River Camel in 1468. Other details can be seen on the information sign.

The Camel Trail is used by walkers, cyclists and sometimes horses as well.

There are pleasant views over the countryside and the river - which is tidal.

The last time we walked this section of the trail there were lots of walkers. How things have changed. It now seems to have been taken over by cyclists, some travelling quite fast. There's no denying that it's great for bikes but most of the walkers seem to have disappeared.

The views are very pleasant and ...

... there is a bird watching hide available for all, though the cyclists speed past without a second thought.

 The Camel Trail is part of the National Cycle Network.

The tide was on the turn so the river looked a treat.

We had our lunch with us so found somewhere to sit with a view of the green fields and the blue river. Very peaceful.

There are several seats and benches along the trail some with pleasant views. We preferred to sit on rocks by the river.

There are the remains of an old boat on the shoreline.

A farmer working in the fields on the opposite side of the river.

On our return journey the tide was high.

We eventually returned to our starting point by the old bridge. The water isn't quite as blue here -  more of a khaki colour.

We had a quick look around Wadebridge town ...

... before crossing The Old Bridge and onward to our car.

If you are a cyclist this section of the Camel Trail is great - nice and flat. 

There are several cycle hire shops.

As for walkers, take care. I didn't find it a relaxing walk because of the many bikes.

One of the statistics I read reckons that there is an estimated 400,000+ users of the trail every year. I wonder how many of these are now cyclists?

The Magical Hag Stone

Nope, it's not some sort of ancient dinosaur it's just a stone with a hole.

Much to my wife's despair I tend to collect stones and shells and odd bits from our walks. Many end up on the windowsill of the room I call my office.

"Ah", I said, when I showed her my latest stone, "but this one is a Hag Stone." She still wasn't impressed. But, as I'd only just learned what a Hag Stone was, I wasn't totally surprised.

It seems that a Hag Stone is any stone that has a natural hole. It's said that if you look through the hole you can often see the little people and the land of the fairies, piskeys, pixies. So who wouldn't want one of these stones!

It is said that the stones can also be used magically for the healing of many ailments and there's still more. They can also be used to protect against witches and to ward off any unwanted spirits of the dead.

A touch of magic is always useful!

As for the rusty nail below and in other photos, this was part, a very small part of course, of an ancient harbour. My wife was delighted when I brought home this treasure ...

Also see: The Menacuddle Holy Well, Chapel and the White River