Sand and Barrel Jellyfish at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall.

 

There is a long beach at Carlyon Bay, St.Austell, Cornwall. 

The photo above was snapped after I had walked to the far end of the sand, so not many people about! Well, none actually! It gets much busier though at the height of the summer season. 

This far end of the beach was once a designated for naturists. I'm not sure if this still applies as the beach has confusing plans for redevelopment - mind you this has been promised / threatened for many years, but actual building work has never commenced.

The other end of the beach (photo below), nearest the car park, is quite popular. There are rocks to explore and so on. Some people are even brave enough to plunge into the water.

You have to be a little aware, if close to the cliffs, as there are rock falls occasionally.

When I walked to the far end of the beach all seemed peaceful, other than a young seagull blowing in the wind.

But then I spotted something in the sea - jellyfish - big ones!

They are Barrel jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo) and are said to be the largest in UK waters. I have read that they can grow as large as a dustbin lid - and are sometimes, therefore, known as dustbin-lid jellyfish. 

The jellyfish can sting but this is not normally harmful to us humans.

The jellyfish aren't at Carlyon Bay all of the time! They are most likely to be seen in May or June when the waters start to warm. They can get washed ashore if they swim too near the beach.

There always seems to be something interesting on a long beach. I have seen a very large fin whale washed ashore at Carlyon Bay, which was quite upsetting. 

After walking the length of the beach I retraced my footsteps to the most popular section - and the flags were flying!

As I walked back to the car - up a hill unfortunately - I snapped a final photo looking out to sea.

Kindly note this post was also published a while back. I am not available at the moment.

Many thanks for visiting my blog.

Good wishes ~ Mike.

Lovely Beach and Views at Newquay Cornwall

A while back, when I snapped these photos, we were having lunch at the Fort Inn, Newquay. The  photo above was taken from the Inn where there are stunning views.

The photo above is looking along the popular Towan Beach. Not too many people about but will be heaving with people in the main summer season. The next photo is the Fort Inn's terrace.

After lunch we we had a short walk. 

Towan Island (below) always fascinates me. The only access to the house is over the slender bridge. The island is surrounded by water  at high tide. 

 moving on to Newquay's Harbour.

 More photos of the harbour on my blog post: Newquay Harbour and Towan Island.

The next photo is looking from the beach, back towards the Fort Inn.

Also see: The Hue and Cry Made From A Huers Hut At Newquay, Cornwall

Sorry it is only a short post today but life has been a bit busy.

All good wishes ~ Mike.

A Pleasant Walk at Boscastle, Cornwall

Today it is Boscastle, Cornwall. The photo above shows the hazardous entrance to the harbour. 100 years ago this was the only place a harbour could be built on this stretch of Cornwall's intimidating north coast. 

It was an active port and harbour until the railway reached Cornwall in 1893. Today there are just a few fishing boats and pleasure crafts in the harbour.

Boscastle is now very much a tourist destination. There is a very large car park and from here it is a walk to the old harbour wall. You can't get lost - you just follow the small river, as shown in the photo below.

Along the valley there are a few cottages and buildings ...

... most constructed from local stone.

You'll also find a Witchcraft Museum! It is said to be the oldest and largest collection of items relating to witchcraft and the occult in England.

The river gradually widens. I snapped the photos when the tide was low, okay very low!

There's somewhere to get a cuppa or lunch in Boscastle. Several of the old buildings now cater for tourists needs.

At last we get the first glimpse of the old harbour wall, only a couple of small boats to be seen.

Below is a close up of the stonework of the harbour wall, said to have been built way back in 1584.

Another view of the entrance to Boscastle harbour.

The photo below was taken from the harbour wall looking inland.

There's somewhere to tie up your boat.

On our walk we now had to retrace our steps to a small bridge so we could get to the other side of the valley. The photo shows the main harbour wall from a different angle and also the smaller second wall.

There's a footpath on this side of the river so as to get a higher view from the cliff top.

The photo below is looking inland from the footpath.

After the walk we meandered back to the car, passing The Cobweb Inn ... but then we realised it's possible to also walk along the valley inland, which leads to St. Juliot church.

The church has a significance for any Thomas Hardy followers. He was the architect for the church restoration in 1870 - and it was here that he met his first wife. It is believed that their love affair was his inspiration for his novel A Pair of Blue Eyes. 

All very pleasant!

Thanks for visiting my blog. Sorry that some of the photos are a bit dark ~ Mike.

Also see : My Coincidence Meeting at Boscastle

Cornwall in Duck Egg Blue and Other Colours

We were in St. Austell on the Bank Holiday. A strange choice perhaps, but we wanted to buy some duck egg blue fence paint.

Well, it seemed a good idea at the time. I think my wife must have been under the influence of Alan Titchmarsh! Anyway. we purchased the paint without the help of any loan sharks.

It's strange how, on a Bank Holiday, so many neighbours rev up their noisy grass mowers and strimmers.

On that note we left St. Austell and took the long exit down many steps. The building opposite is the local tax offices.

That's better, a nice touch of colour. I believe there is a Chinese saying: if you have two loaves of bread you should sell one and buy some flowers with the money. Well something like that.

 We made our way back home, and below is part of our patio  fence - that would soon be a duck egg blue colour.

I had a wander around our garden.

There's a bit of colour here and there as can be seen by the next few photos.

Below is a glance of our money tree  (crassula ovata) which is over thirty years old.

Also my wife has a few runner beans in the porch, though they will soon have to go outside.

Opposite our house there are quite a few rhododendrons running wild.

A closer look of the rhododendrons.

Our first hydrangea of the year, a white one.

This is looking across our back garden to our patio.

Ah, and at last, we have the duck egg blue fence my wife wanted, with a dark slate colour at the bottom.

A similar photo. Oh dear, just remembered we now have to paint the outside table and eight chairs.

The dark slate colour.

 I've rambled on enough, so final photos for today.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

P.S. Thought I'd better squeeze in a bit of  Cornwall's coastline ~ Mike