A SHORT WALK FROM CARLYON BAY

One end of Carlyon Bay beach

We were out and about this morning and decided to include a walk starting at Carlyon Bay. This partly runs alongside the Carlyon Bay Golf Club course and on the right is the sea.

A view of the sea from the footpath

The path is a right of way and can be used by the public.

Part of Carlyon Bay golf course

From the golf course, looking inland, Cornwall's White Pyramid can be seen.

Looking across to the White Pyramid

We walked along to Spit Beach and then decided to retrace our footsteps.

Approaching Spit Beach

Did I mention that the path was somewhat muddy in places ...

A muddy coastal foorpath

... but he views are nice, when there isn't a hedge in the way!

The sea view when retracing our steps

See also: Walking On The Beach at Carlyon Bay

OLD CORNWALL: TINTAGEL

A few days back I published a post about the Tintagel Old Post Office, Cornwall. Today's photo is a street scene from about 1890 showing the very same Post Office. The actual building dates back to the 14th century. I picked up the photo, with others, a while back at a car boot sale. It's not the clearest of pictures but shows how things once were - a bygone age.

THE CRASHING WAVES AT PORTMELLON, CORNWALL

The image of Cornwall is often one of golden beaches, blue skies and sunshine. At times though, the winter weather blows away more than just the cobwebs!

The photos today are of Portmellon and the narrow coastal road. Follow the road left up the hill and you will reach the popular village of Mevagissey.

Some days though the sea gets a little angry and splashes over the road. This isn't too pleasant if you happen to be going that way in your car - and worse still if you are walking.

I snapped these photos on a visit to see friends who live in Portmellon, I made sure I was a safe distance from the waves. You have to be sensible and respect such weather conditions.

It's perhaps hard to imagine that there is a sandy beach under all of those waves. In the summer there will be people enjoying the sunshine and launching small boats from the slipway.

CHINA CLAY COUNTRY, CORNWALL

Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum

After a rainy, blowy night the morning couldn't make up it's mind what to do. It was grey, it was blue, it was dry, it was drizzly. But, regardless, we wandered round Cornwall's Clay trails with fingers crossed.

We parked our car at Wheal Martyn - Cornwall's China Clay Museum. The china clay people in the photo are at the entrance.

An ornamental chimney with pictures representing the clay industry

From the museum it is possible to walk a trail to the Eden Project - about five miles distance. We, however just followed our feet!

A china clay lake

We passed a China Clay lake where nature has taken hold. It's hard to believe this was once a hive of activity.

Part of the China Clay Trail

Walking part of the clay trail the weather became more unsettled. The hills are the spoils of the clay industry, now covered by shrubs and greenery.

Another China Clay Lake, once a quarry

Walking part of the clay trail the weather became more unsettled. The hills are the spoils of the clay industry, now covered by shrubs and greenery.

The China Clay Countryside

In the area the side roads are very narrow but the grey of the china clay was on view.

Narrow roads

More narrow roads before heading back to our car.

Another view of the China Clay country, Cornwall

POLKERRIS COVE, CORNWALL

Polkerris and the Rshleigh Inn

Polkerris is a lovely small, sheltered cove facing south west. It's about three miles west of Fowey and has connections with the author Daphne Du Maurier - and the settings for her books.

The white building is the Rashleigh Inn - a pleasant place from which to enjoy the summer sunsets.

The village is  really just a narrow road with a few cottages. There is a small car park and also limited parking for patrons of the Rashleigh Inn.

I snapped the photo while walking along the coastal path.

THE 500 PLUS YEAR OLD BRIDGE, ST.AUSTELL, CORNWALL

West Bridge, St.Austell, Cornwall

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."

500+ years ago things would have been different. The bridge would then have carried all of the visitors and tradespeople to and from the west of St.Austell town. How times change.

The roadway of the bridge (photo below) has, unfortunately now been covered with tarmac but the passing V-shaped places can be seen.

The roadway of West Bridge, St.Aystell, Cornwall

There is a scratched etching of the bridge from 1803, as shown below. The river was wider and faster back then.

1803 etching of the approach to St.Austell town

Besides the river and bridge St.Austell church tower can be seen to the right of the etching. This remains today as can be seen in the photo below. I snapped the photo during the summer months - thus the blue sky!

St.Austell church

How life moves on, to think of all of the people who have walked the bridge and visited the church over many hundreds of years. The tales they could tell us.

TINTAGEL OLD POST OFFICE, CORNWALL

Tintagel Old Post Office, Cornwall

One of the attractions of the village at Tintagel, on Cornwall's north coast, is the Old Post Office. It is actually a 14th century stone house of a medieval manor style.

The house became the post office during Queen Victoria's reign when the building was granted a licence to become the receiving office for the local area.

An old red post box can be seen in the photo below - which is built into the wall and has Queen Victoria's initials.

Tintagel Post Office showing a red Queen Victoria Post Box

There is an 1890s photo of the Tintagel Post Office on: Old Cornwall: Tintagel