Tuesday 16 July 2019

14 Photos of July Flowers and Colour In Our Garden In Cornwall

Hydrangea

Some colour and flowers I have snapped in our garden. The hydrangeas are always good value as they seem to go on and on for most of the summer.


Below is a photo of Mrs. Perry. That's the name of the white poppy below, not my wife! The Mrs. Perry poppy was given to us several years ago by friends.

Large white poppy.

I like poppies, they remind me of sunshine. Though Mrs. Perry is white, I also like the big orange variety. Not sure what they are called - probably just poppies, as I'm not into Latin names.

Large orange poppies

And somehow a pink one has popped up too ...

Pink and White Large Poppies

Dahlia next. I just leave them in the garden year after year and up they come. It's generally quite mild in Cornwall.

Pink Dahlia

Large deep red and white dahlia

A bit more colour.


Geraniums like the sunshine, but don't we all.

Pink and white geraniums

And some lavender, now past its best unfortunately.

Lavender

Fuchsias are another plant that seems to thrive in the sunshine.

Pink and red fuchsia

Pink and purple fuchsia

And finally roses, though not from our garden. A friend had loads so cut us a few.

Pink roses in a vase

Oh, and a P.S. 

Regular readers may remember my post about how my wife grew an apple tree from a pip. It took eight years but there are quite a few apples now - can't wait to taste them! 

Apples grown from a pip

Sunday 14 July 2019

Short Walk Along Coastal Path From Bude Across Summerleaze Downs

Beach at Bude, Cornwall

A few photos from when we were in north Cornwall at Bude. The weather unfortunately wasn't too good.

We walked along the coastal path, from Bude, the first part being across Summerleaze Downs as the photo below shows.

Summerleaze Downs, Cornwall

We continued along the coastal path and enjoyed the views of the sea and cliffs. There was hardly anyone else about.

Cliffs along the coastal path

There was a small flower memorial on the cliff top - it felt quite sad as the flowers were quite fresh.

Memorial flowers on cliffs



I brightened the photo below as everything was getting a bit too dowdy. Always nice to wander through rock pools. 


A stone wall  divided the fields.

Cornish stone wall by the sea

On our return to Summerleaze Downs there was a small shelter where we sat for a while as the wind blew. The view wasn't exactly exciting! 

Friday 12 July 2019

The Secretive Menacuddle Holy Well and Chapel, Cornwall

Menacuddle Chapel and waterfall

We hadn't been to the Menacuddle Holy Well and Chapel for quite a while. When we arrived today it was very noticeable that there has been some love and attention given to the site.

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. Below is an old etching of the chapel I came across a while back - a little artistic licence has been used by the artist!
An old drawing of Menacuddle Well Chape;
This is the reality as to how the Menacuddle Well Chapel looks today (below).

Menacuddle chapel

The photo below, of the entrance to the chapel, shows how it is built against the rock face.


The chapel now looks all neat and tidy - perhaps a little too clean? A matter of opinion, of course.

The Menacuddle Vhapel housing the Holy Well

On a previous visit I snapped a photo and there was moss and lichen on the roof and sides of the chapel. This somehow made it more mysterious and gave the building a different feel.

The Menacuddle Chapel and Holy Well

The Holy spring water was once held in high regard for its curative powers. Sick children were regularly bathed here and the Victorians  recommended the drinking of its salubrious fluid. It was also used to treat ulcers. 

A local tradition was to throw a bent pin into the water for good luck.

The Holy Well at Menacuddle, Cornwall.

The waterfall is part of the St.Austell River, or Vinnick River, and was often known as the White River. In certain weather conditions the water would become a milky white from local china clay.

The waterfall near the chapel at Menacuddle, Cornwall

On the opposite of the river to the chapel is the Druids Chair made from solid granite - as below. It has also been called King Arthur's Seat. A bit of a mystery - but it's quite comfortable - for a rock!

The Druid's Chair at Menacuddle, Cornwall

A couple of photos now of the small gardens and pond.


The surroundings of Menacuddle

Gardens by the Menacuddle Holy Well & Chapel

Ah yes, and I saw this painted stone on the wall. On the back it says that it was painted by Rosie, aged 8. So there is still magic here, it hasn't all been swept away.

A painted stone by 'Rosie' at Menacuddle Holy Well, Cornwall

Menacuddle  isn't that well sign posted. If visiting by car take the the Bodmin Road from St.Austell town. It's only a few minutes drive but can easily be missed. The entrance only has a small sign ….

Entrance from road to Menacuddle Holy Well & Chapel

Look out for the Elderly People sign - the entrance is just after this.

There is parking but only for about four cars. But, in saying this, I have never seen anyone else at the chapel and well when I have made a visit.

Warning of Elderly People sign just before Menacuddle Holy Wll

Wednesday 10 July 2019

Walking the Coastal Path from Polkerris, Cornwall : 12 Photos



A few photos I snapped from the coastal path after leaving Polkerris - see my Polkerris Post. It's a pleasant walk along the cliff tops, with lots of open sea views.


Only a few boats in the sea. The yachts below were from Polkerris - where various lessons are available.


Looking across to the far coastline, Carlyon Bay and Spit Beach can be seen.


The whitish looking beach, to the left of the photo below, is Carlyon Bay.


The china clay works, in the middle of the next photo, were once a hive of activity but all is now quiet.


The people paddling in the sea have walked out from Par Beach - as you can tell, the tide goes out a very long way!


Small rippling waves as the tide gradually flows in.


As well as looking out to sea, there are often interesting things happening inland. The farmer below was turning over his cut grass, which was drying out nicely in the sunshine.


The grass had just been cut on other fields.


And we were lucky enough to see a few horses roaming free in the fields.


Finally back at the sand dunes of Par Beach (also known as Par Sands).


Other Posts From this area :

(1) Photos of the Magical Polkerris Harbour, Cornwall on a Perfect Sunshine Day 
(2) The Meeting With Barrel Jellyfish at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall 
(3) What The Low Tide Reveals at Spit Beach, Cornwall

Monday 8 July 2019

The Secret Cornish Beach : Booley Beach

Sand at Booley Beach

Booley Beach isn't well known as it is tucked away and has no facilities. It has the advantage though of being quite peaceful. I have never seen it to be very busy. 

There are no restrictions for dogs and swimming is considered safe, if the conditions are right - but care should obviously be taken and also with any inflatables. 

Path to Booley Beach, Cornwall

There are, I guess, two disadvantages to Booley: there is a walk to get to the beach (thus why it is often known as being secret) and a lot of the sand disappears at high tide. 

My photos were taken in June.

Rocks at Booley Beach, Cornwall

Okay, to get to Booley Beach the best place to park the car is at Par Sands. Go into the main car park, it's bit lumpy bumpy, and park on the left, near to the Car Park machine - regrettably, as in most car parks, there is a small charge.

From here you should be able to see the start of the Public Footpath, there's what looks like a small footbridge. The coastal path climbs from here, but this means there are lots of views over the sea.

Sign Post showing dircetions of coastal path, Cornwall

It's a well trodden path and after about ten or fifteen minutes you will see Booley Beach on the right. There's a stony path down to the sand.

If you aren't happy with the beach keep on walking and you will reach Polkerris harbour, with all the facilities required - a pub on the beach, food, ice-creams and so on. More details on my post : Photos of the Magical Polkerris Harbour, Cornwall on a Perfect Sunshine Day.

The footpath bewteen Par and Polkerris

It's also possible to reach Booley Beach from Polkeris but the village gets very busy in the summer season and car parking is limited. It's also quite a climb up the steps to join the coastal path.

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