Padstow, the Mermaid and the Perilous Doom Bar

Such beautiful sand at Padstow when the tide is out. Nowadays boats are able to enter the harbour - but it hasn't always been that way according to Cornish folklore.

To quote from the late 1800s.  

The port of Padstow has a good natural harbour, as far as rocks are concerned, but it gets chocked up with drifting sands as to be nearly useless.

It was once deep water for the largest vessel and was under the care of a merry maid, most would call her a mermaid. But, whatever her description, boats could travel safely to the harbour.

All was well at Padstow until a man bought a new gun! Some say the man was a Tristram Bird others that it was Tom Yeo. But, whoever, the new gun was aimed at a seal. Tragically though it was the mermaid who was shot. She dived for a moment; but re-appearing, raised her right arm, and vowed that henceforth the harbour should be desolate.

The picture below shows Tristram Bird with his gun and the mermaid.

According to the many legends, following the mermaid's death there was a terrible gale. When the water subsided a Doom Bar or Bar of Doom was situated at the estuary entrance.

Since records began, in the nineteenth century, there have been over 600 wrecks, beachings and capsizes due to the Doom Bar - and, of course, the mermaid's curse.

The photo below is from 1911 when the French ship Angele was wrecked on the Doom Bar.

Today the estuary is regularly dredged and the Doom Bar has moved - see comparisons between 1825 and 2010 - charts by Worm That Turned.

Most boats can now reach the harbour at Padstow safely.

There is still lots of sand about, when the tide is out, as can be seen in the photo below.

For other Padstow posts please visit:

Padstow, Cornwall on a Sunshine Winter's Day

Padstow, Cornwall: Ghosts, Cornish Pasties, Fish & Chips And More

Trerice, The Elizabethan Manor House Near Newquay, Cornwall

Today it's a quick trip to the Tudor House, Trerice, which is now managed by the National Trust.

Trerice sits in a tranquil setting at Kestle Mill, about three miles from Newquay.

The photo above shows the front entrance including a very impressive window. 

The window is made up of 576 glass tiles some dating way back to the 16th century. Of course, over the years, some of the tiles have become broken and replaced.

The windows look into the Great Hall. The photo below is looking into the hall from above.

The hall fire wasn't alight, unfortunately, but the room must have been very impressive in it's day.

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

Wandering around the house are some interesting bits and pieces. I found the painting of the unknown Elizabethan Boy to be quite creepy for some reason! Something doesn't quite look right.

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

A look out of one of the upstairs windows. The stone walls are very thick.

Moving on to the outside of the house with a view of the back.

A couple of photos of Trerice. 

Interesting gardens surround the house with Tudor games to play such as slapcock - an early form of badminton. 

There's an attractive old barn

Views across the countryside from Trerice.

All in all a pleasant place to visit :

Trerice
Kestle Mill, 
Newquay,
Cornwall
TR8 4PG

Tel: 01637 875404

Similar Post:
A Glimpse of Lanhydrock House, Cornwall In 14 Photos

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!