THE MYSTERIOUS MENACUDDLE CHAPEL & HOLY WELL

It was a dull, damp day but I decided to walk to Menacuddle, where there is a small chapel and  holy well. When I arrived at my destination all was quiet, with no one else about - perfect!

I snapped a few quick photos as I walked. The White River and the waterfall always fascinate me. The whiteness comes from the local china clay.

Looking back over the waterfall, to the right of the next photo, a chair can be seen. This is full size and is made of granite. It is known as the Druids Chair and sometimes even as King Arthur's seat.

The next two photos show the small 'chapel'. Visitors have left flowers.

The Chapel dates back to the 15th century and is now a Grade II listed building.  It is aligned east-west with the east wall built against the natural rock face. 

I followed the White River, there was a dampness in the air.

Water ahead but ...

... be careful as the water can be quite deep.

I took a different route on the way back but the river came with me.

Green topped water.

As the rain was determined to continue I was soon looking down on the waterfall once more.

The old bridge on the way out of Menacuddle.

Below is a newish part of Menacuddle, quite pleasant but a little too neat and organised for my taste. 

The rain started getting heavier so I made my way homeward bound.

As I walked I did stop when there were glimpses of the White River making it's way to the sea.

Thanks for popping in to visit my Blog. All good wishes ~ Mike.

THE HOLY WELL AT ST. CLEER

While near the village of St.Cleer I looked in on their Holy Well. It is said to go back to the 15th century. It was then used as a magic 'bowsening' pool. So called because 'mad people' would be dunked into the waters to cure their insanity!

I say the well is 15th century, but it was knocked down during the English Civil War - 1642 to 1651. The Cornish granite stones though remained in place. It was said that if any of them were ever moved or stolen they would find their own way back ... creepy!

In the 1800s the jigsaw that was the Holy Well was put together again - as it remains today.

Next to the well is an ancient 7 foot tall cross (can be partly seen in the first photo). There are several variations as to whom the St. Cleer well is dedicated. One version is St.Clarus, a 12th century Benedictine monk. He landed himself in  bit of bother when a noblewoman made romantic advances to him - which, of course, he turned down.  But the result of this was that he was beheaded - though some versions of the story say he fled to France.

It's not known who the monk like figure is in the niche at the front of the well.

Hope the New Year is being kind to you,

Good wishes ~ Mike.

AFTERNOON TEA & OTHER MEANDERINGS

Back to my blog, once more, now that Christmas is over. So a few odds and bods starting off with afternoon tea!

We were gifted a Cornish afternoon tea at the Rosevine Hotel, Portscatho, which was quite pleasant.

The first three photos are of the hotel. It is set in a pleasant position, just a short walk to the sea.

Oh, and don't forget that, with a Cornish tea, the clotted cream goes on top of the jam on the scones.

An an old milestone below. I have now travelled to St. Austell - 13 miles from Truro. according to the stone.

Just along the road, from the milestone, is a more up to date signpost.

When approaching St. Austell by car there is a nice green area with a few interesting trees, even in the winter.

The monkey puzzle tree tree (Araucaria Araucana), always fascinates me - think I have mentioned this previously in a post.

The foliage is quite distinctive.

Moving on I walked towards St. Austell town. In doing so I passed something unique within Cornwall - high rise flats! Somehow they seem out of place.

Despite the chill in the air a small flower nearby managed to survive in the undergrowth

Walking on I had a peek at the Gover Stream.

Next, near to a Co-op store, are the remains of the Pentewan Railway Clay Cellars.

The Pentewan Railway once carried local china clay from St. Austell to the harbour at Pentewan for export. This was operational from 1829 to about 1918. The Pentewan Trail for walkers now follows the  route of the railway.

Below shows how the harbour at Pentewan was once full of sailing boats exporting china clay worldwide in the late 1800's and early 1900's

Today Pentewan harbour is landlocked, and is enjoyed by swans, ducks and the like - though they must have been hiding when I snapped the photo.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Hope you had a great Christmas and and have a wonderful New Year.

Good wishes ~ Mike.

MIKE'S CORNWALL BLOG

 

Hello,

I am taking a break from blogging during the run up to Christmas - but I will be back!

Thank you for all of your visits to my blog.

All good wishes,

Mike.

TRERICE HOUSE NEAR NEWQUAY, CORNWALL

I dug out a few photos today of the Elizabethan house, Trerice, near Newquay, Cornwall. The window is something special as it is made up of 576 glass tiles, many are original and date back to the 16th century.

John Arundell, a High Sherrif of Cornwall, commenced building the house in 1572. It seems he married into money - lucky man!

Another view of the house on a blue-sky day.

The forementioned window looks into the Great Hall.

Must have been idyllic with a raging log fire to heat the room.

There are lots of bits and pieces to savour.

A pleasant old clock next to something more up to date.

 I spotted this painting of an unknown Elizabethan Boy. Actually, I found it to be quite creepy.  Something doesn't look quite right!

Peeking out of a window. Notice the thick stone walls.

More views of Trerice House.

Below, looking across the countryside from the house grounds. Weather permitting, there are often Elizabethan games to play such as such as slapcock - an early form of badminton.

An old barn.



 Oh, there are a few Cornish essentials on sale.

All in all, a pleasant place to visit.

That's it for today - have a happy week ahead.

All good wishes ~ Mike.

P.S.

Trerice is managed by the National Trust. For opening times (they differ during the winter months) check the   Trerice Website

Trerice House,

Kestle Mill, 
Newquay,
Cornwall
TR8 4PG

FLOWERS IN MY CORNISH GARDEN

It's been a strange old week as I haven't had a chance to get out and about taking photos. I did manage, however, to wander around our garden!  So, a few bedraggled pics follow. We still have quite a few passion flowers, Passiflora, on display as seen above. I liked the spiral below.

A few fungi had popped up on the damp grass.

We always seem to have many pink flowers, which really isn't my cup of tea. 

The dahlia are a mite windblown and damp. The trees and greenery, in the photo, are on the opposite side of the road - see also the final photo on this post.

A couple of hydrangeas.

A red and white display.

Another fungus.

More pink flowers: fuchsia, fighting for space.

Cornish stone on our house, plus something creeping around the corner.

A bashful fuchsia hiding by a large plant pot.

A windswept dahlia again.

More passion flowers.

Finally, looking out from our front garden to the trees on the opposite of the road.

Many thanks for taking the time to visit my blog. All good wishes ~ Mike.