Goss Moor Walk and Newquay Beaches

It was a grey, drizzly day and, after much discusion, we decided to go for a walk on Goss Moor*. Incredibly, at least for us, was that we had never been on the seven mile circular walk previously.

We found one of several starting points and parked our car. There was no one else about.

We found out that we were actually walking on what was originally the old A30 road. Okay, but to be honest, it was a bit boring as everything was the same and  there were no views. If you looked left or right you just saw shrubs and a few flowers as the above photo.

A train zoomed past near by, thus the railway crossing photo below. The train was on the Atlantic Coast line which runs from Par to Newquay - just about 21 miles.

We continued walking, but it was still drizzling with fine rain.

I guess though that the history of this stretch of the trail is interesting. It is thought that it was once an old Roman Road and could well have been a prehistoric track prior to that. In the 1700's it was also a Turnpike road - part of  the coaching route from Jamaica Inn on the Bodmin Moor, to the coaching Inn at Indian Queens. The Jamaica Inn will be familiar to Daphne du Maurier readers because of the book of the same name.

The rain got harder so we decided not to finish the trail. We'll have another try some other time, starting at a different point on the trail.

*See Goss Moor Multi-use Trail

MOVING ON:

Something, perhaps, more typical of Cornwall, a few photos of Newquay.

This is the small harbour at Newquay built initially to export china clay in 1875. Back then there was a railway line to the pier on the left of the photo below.

Next, the small beach at the harbour.

Of course there are many superior beaches in Newquay, at least ten. It's why so many visitors head for this area. It is often said that Newquay is England's surfing capital.

Three photos of different Newquay beaches.

MOVING ON AGAIN:

A while back I wrote a post The Green, Green Fields But With A Sting In The Tail. The sting has started as they are now building on the green fields.

Below are green fields next to the development. I wonder if these will also disappear in time.

It is, of course, necessary that people, especially young locals, can purchase affordable houses near to where they live. This isn't always possible in Cornwall because of inflated house prices due to outsiders purchasing them as second homes or for the holiday trade. Anyway, I won't ramble on!

I will mention though another development,  near to the one above, that will have 460 homes, 150 of which are described as 'affordable'. There will also be a hotel a pub and restaurant, shops and so on. I did a post on this a while back: Large New Development at Higher Trewhiddle, Cornwall Is On It's Way 

Thanks for visiting my blog, hope the sun will shine for you ~ Mike.

Photos of Par Beach Cornwall Plus a 500 Year Old Bridge

On my previous post I mentioned Par beach, so I thought that today I'd follow on from there. As you can see in the photo above, the tide goes out a long way - a very long way!

Below is looking inland with the sandy beach in the distance.

Some ripples left behind by the tide.

Also left behind by the tide was this attractive jelly fish. I think it might be a Compass Jellyfish (Chrysaora Hysoscella) though I'm not certain.

Slowly getting nearer to the sea and the seaweed. 

Looking towards the end of the beach you might just be able to see the china clay works, which has its own harbour.

There were lots of patterns in the damp sand. I could make out all sorts of patterns and faces.

Nearing the far end of the beach, with green fields inland.

At the end of the beach, by the clay works, is a river and most times there are swans to be seen. It looks like some of the family are missing, hope they are okay.

As we walked inland more green fields and wild flowers in the dunes.

As the sign states there is a clay trail starting here but we walked the opposite way.

At the back of the beach there is Par Sands Holiday and Caravan Park with caravans and mobile homes - as per the photo below.

There are also lodges with a view of the small lake.

And this is the lake from the opposite side. Many birds congregate here. Lots of Canadian geese on my visit but usually swans, ducks and so on.

From Par Beach there is access to Cornwall's coastal path. There's a lovely walk to Polkerris, with it's small harbour and beach. See my post Polkerris Harbour, Cornwall on a Perfect Sunshine Day. Photo of Polkerris below.

You'll find the coastal path from the Par Beach car park. Looking towards the sea it's on your left towards the back of the car park.

 A FEW OTHER BITS

In a previous post I mentioned the ceramic art work on display in St. Austell town centre. I've just noticed another piece I previously missed.

On the outskirts of  St.Austell town there is a very old bridge that is rarely given a second glance. It no longer carries traffic, other than perhaps a few bicycles. This is a shame because the bridge is well over 500 years old.

We know it's minimum age because it was mentioned by someone called John Leland in 1538. He was King Henry VIII's Chaplain who was sent out around the country to gather material for a history of England.

Leland, sometimes spelt Leyland, didn't seem to think much of St. Austell as he wrote (in old English): "... the poore toun of St Austelles is nothing notable but for the paroch chirch. And there is a bridge of the same name."

Below is the bridge. Hard to imagine that crossing this was then the main route into St. Austell from the west.

And finally, the lilies in our garden have ventured forth.

Thanks for visiting my blog, hope you have an interesting week ~ Mike.

A Touch of Cornish Magic, Animals and Birds

Sometimes there seems to be unexpected magical moments - perhaps time slips. I was at Charlestown and everything was so quiet, not a sound to be heard. I could only see two other people as I clicked my camera for the photo above. It felt as if I had stepped back in time.

Okay, perhaps this is a little fanciful but the next three photos, were snapped at the same place - Spit Beach.  The changing sky altered the appearance of the sea and beach.

Moving along the coast now to the village of Tywardreath the setting of Daphne du Maurier's book, The House on the Strand. Below is the church where some of the scenes are set. The story is about drug induced time travel - so there is a touch of magic lingering here.

Tywardreath, in the Cornish language is : Ti War Dreth. This means a house on a beach or strand. The village was recorded in the Domesday Book way back in 1o86.

Below are some of the village cottages.

And here is an unusual road sign which is no doubt necessary as the road narrows.

Daphne du Maurier moved to this area following the death of her husband in 1965. Her previous Cornish home was at Menabilly which was the inspiration for Manderley featured in her book Rebecca.

Returning to the House on the Strand this mentions the nearby green fields, as below, near Par.

There are Almshouses at Polmear, Par. The first of these houses was built in 18oo by William Rashleigh who, at the time, was the Sheriff of Cornwall.

Nearby Polkerris is also mentioned in the House on the Strand. The first photo is looking down from the cliffs and ...

... and then here we are at sea level as the tide arrives.

I think that's enough of The House on the Strand. So moving on to a happy pig!

A few photos of animals next which I have noticed when out and about.

What a wonderful horse - with his shadow. Where would mankind be without horses.

Of course even a robin can cast a shadow.

The little fellow below was searching for crumbs in a cafe.

A couple more birds I spotted.

Oh, and also a flashy pheasant.

That's about it for today's post, but first a warning - be aware of the Devil Cat when out and about at night!

And on that note I'll close today's post.

All good wishes, stay safe ~ Mike