Step Back In Time With The Cornish Belle Steam Train

I snapped the above black and white photo of St.Austell station while waiting for St.Austell's Torchlight Parade to pass.  My grandson was in the parade and this seemed a good vantage point.

Looking at the photo reminded me that I also have a few black and white photos of the Cornish Belle steam train at Bodmin and Wenford station. That's the Cornish Belle below and above is the ticket office - it's like stepping back in time. 

As you can see it was a wet, rainy evening when I took the photos.

Not too many people on the train. I think the rainy weather had put people off.

But it was still First Class dining, whatever the weather.

And back at the station.

For more information on the Bodmin and Wenford steam trains please click here.

Looking For Lucky Shells at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall

There was something strange about Monday, it had actually stopped raining! A few puddles remained but we headed for the beach at Carlyon Bay.

It was still very cold but who cares when there is treasure to be found - well, perhaps.

I had recently read a book 'Seagulls in the Attic' by Tessa Hainsworth, who has started a new life in Cornwall. She writes how she 'finds cowrie shells. I love these tiny pinkish shells, no bigger than my little fingernail. They're lucky shells, the Cornish equivalent to the Irish four-leaf clover.'

On a previous visit to Carlyon Bay my wife and I found dozens of small pink shells. So we set out to find some more. It's always useful to have a handy supply of good luck, you never know when it might come in handy!

I soon found a pink shell but little else.

The beach was quite empty, the sand smooth and untouched and virtually nothing had been washed ashore.

But a walk on untouched sand is, by itself, good luck.

We enjoyed the far end of the beach, the peace and the silence.

The rocks and cliffs have their own special beauty. The things they must have witnessed over thousands of years.

Eventually we retraced our footsteps ...

… passing numerous enormous rocks piled high. They were originally to be used as a breakwater when there was talk of the beach being redeveloped with apartments and shops. But this has never come to fruition.

We made our way back to our car via the puddles.

I did manage to pick up a few bits and pieces along the beach though, but nothing too exciting. They will be added to my collection of bits and pieces labelled 'you never know when these might come in handy.'

Other Carlyon Bay Posts:
(1) The Meeting With Barrel Jellyfish at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall 
(2) Carlyon Bay, Cornwall: Sand, Sea and Cliffs

The Beautiful Fowey River, Cornwall

Following on from my post Beautiful Views of the Fowey Estuary, Cornwall above is a further photo of the Fowey River as it cuts through some of the lovely countryside between Lostwithiel and Lanhydrock.

The source of the river is on Bodmin Moor at Fowey Well (Fenten Fowi in Cornish) about one mile from Brown Willy, which is the highest point in Cornwall.

The following photos show the local countryside leading to Lanhydrock House.   

As for the name Brown Willy, mentioned above, there was a small campaign a few years back to change the name on signs to 'Bronn Wennil', the Cornish name for the highest point on Bodmin Moor - which actually means 'hill of swallows'. This fizzled out and the name, which is described as having the giggle factor, continues to amuse visitors.

Always good to see the green fields - even though they sometimes equate to lots of rain!

Near to this area is Restormel Castle which played a part in the English Civil War. See my post Visiting Restormel Castle and the English Civil War.

Farm Animals Seen In Cornwall

At the time of writing we have had, what seems like, weeks of continuous rain. This has limited me getting out and about as much as usual. Today's post, therefore, is of farm animals seen in Cornwall over the year.

The photo above almost looks like a still life. The animals posed quite peacefully. More than can be said with the cattle seen in north Cornwall, below, they seemed to want to get away from me as quickly as possible.

The pale coloured animal (below) is a White Park cattle breed which have been kept in Britain for over 2,000 years. They are closely descended from Britain's original wild white cattle.

In 1973 there were only 60 breeding females but with the help of the Rare Breed Survival Trust there are now 750 breeding females.

The large horned lady is a Highland Cattle Breed. These spread from the west of Scotland to the far corners of Britain including Cornwall.

Next we have a friendly goat who liked being stroked ...

… and a cute lamb who was a little wary of my camera - but we made friends!

More sheep ...

… and even more sheep - zzzz zzzz zzzz!

Oh and also a turkey as Christmas is approaching - though I'm vegetarian!

As with the first photo of this post it does seem that some cows and cattle in Cornwall have lovely views and surroundings while they chew the cud.

The cow to the left, on the next photo, did her best to smile as I requested.

Another view and that's it for today.

P.S. Nearly forgot the pigs!

The Jade Money Plant Attracts Money!

This is our money plant or jade plant (crassula ovata) which sits in our front porch attracting money into our house - well that's the theory!

What made me write about this today is because I noticed a few flowers are developing, and that is indeed a very auspicious happening.  Money will now supposedly be in full flow according to the world of Feng Shui.

Our plant is over 30 years old. I remember buying the plant when my son was small. My wife had to go to Germany, as her mother was seriously ill. My son and I decided to buy this particular plant as a small gift on her return. It was then about five inches tall.

Over the years the plant has thrived, all we have really done is to buy bigger and bigger pots for the money plant.

We are also spreading the 'flow of money' to relations and friends by giving them small cuttings of the crassula ovata. Perhaps I should really say my wife does this. She has another four or five small versions ready to give away, as can be seen below.

You may well have seen these plants in Chinese restaurants and take-aways. They supposedly attract happy, paying customers.

Also in our front porch is a Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera bridgessii) which is now beginning to flower - unfortunately a little too early for Christmas. 

The Christmas Cacti was originally from Brazil.

Oh well, better finish the post now and see how much money our money plant has attracted today ... shouldn't take me too long!

Beautiful Views of the Fowey Estuary, Cornwall

A long time ago, while waiting to move into our present home, there was some sort of a problem with the seller. This took about a month to be sorted, so in the meantime, we stayed in a small cottage in Fowey. Since then Fowey, and especially the River Estuary, has been one of my favourite places to visit.

There are such lovely views looking down from the footpath. The photo at the top of this post shows the river meeting the sea, with the village of Polruan on the left and the red and white  Gribbin tower - a daymark - on the skyline.

The tower can also be seen on the heading of this blog

The small boat, to the left of the photo below, is the ferry which runs from Fowey to Polruan.

And finally a small helicopter lands in the grounds of the Fowey Hotel.

The name Fowey - pronounced Foy - is from the Cornish language word Fowydh meaning Beech Trees.

Cornwall's Eden Project With The world's Largest Indoor Rainforest - Plus Much More

Today we are at Cornwall's Eden Project on a damp November day - but still some colour to be found, especially in the huge biomes.

We started at the Rainforest Biome which is the world's largest indoor rainforest.

Being winter the rainforest isn't quite as hot inside as usual - but is still a comfortable, warm temperature.

Colourful plants linger on.

And below a few of the Rainforest residents.

A waterfall cuts a way from the very top of the Rainforest Biome.

Once up high in the biome there is a canopy walkway (rope bridge) where you can walk among the treetops. 

But everything isn't up high. Below are small fungi growing on the base of an old tree.

A few flowers trying to hide away at ground level.

Now a few pics around the Eden Project's Mediterranean Biome. It can be surprising what's inside. I'll leave you to work out what the photo below is all about!

I know I said we are now in the Mediterranean Biome but there are also plants and flowers from other parts of the world - like the Australian Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea), for example, in the photo below. 

This is treasured by Aborigine people as it provides Bush Tucker high protein snacks known as witchetty grubs - often seen and mentioned on the UK television series I'm a celebrity get me out of here.

Once the Grass Tree has died the grubs are harvested as a food source.

And now a temporary display in the Mediterranean Biome from - Africa! This is the CAMFED Garden.

The 'campaign for female education' believes that when girls are educated they can lift communities out of poverty.

It supports girls in rural Africa, enabling them to stay in education, develop businesses, create jobs and deliver prosperity.

CAMFED's aim is to support another 1,000 women led agricultural businesses across rural Africa within one year.

And moving on, a blackbird playing peek-a-boo inside the Mediterranean Biome.

Outside now with a close up of how the Biomes are designed.

And to finish off the post - a very large butterfly.

See also:
(1) A Flavour Of Cornwall's Eden Project: 15 Photos
(2) More Flavour of Cornwall's Eden Project - 14 Photos