A Return to Mevagissey Harbour and Fishing Village

'Twas a dull day, (7 Oct 20) rain was threatened but we wanted a walk so, after much debate, we agreed on Mevagissey and off we went - in a car of course. We hadn't been to the harbour and village since early March, thanks to the coronavirus.

We walked along the east side of the harbour. The tide was high so lots of boats bobbing about on this smaller, inner harbour. Quite a few people about. Mevagissey is always a tourist attraction.

I said there were lots of boats and here are a few, mostly the smaller variety.

As per usual we wandered along looking at the cottages and the aforementioned boats.

Passing the Harbour Office means we move from the inner to the outer harbour. Not so many boats here.

A side on view of the Harbour Office and the wall that separates the two harbours.

From here you can see the Mevagissey lighthouse - there was a small boat entering the harbour.

The photo below shows the harbour wall and a few people walking - and, no doubt, snapping photos.

From the wall the surrounding cliffs and coastline can be seen.

The next photo shows the outer harbour, not that many boats moored.

Looking across to the far side of the harbour, from where you can reach the small lighthouse.

Finally for today, a few cottages which overlook the harbour.

Other Random Mevagissey Posts:

An Introduction to Mevagissey, Cornwall The Two Saint Village

13 Photos of Mevagissey Harbour, Cornwall

The Mevagissey to Fowey Ferry

Significant Levels of Lithium In Cornwall

Cornwall has been known for it's tin and copper mines for many years. It is said, for example, that the mine at Polgooth supplied Phoenician traders with tin 3000 years ago.

There are tales of Joseph of Arimathea, a metal trader, visiting Cornwall with a young Jesus.

The small harbour at Charlestown, often mentioned on this blog, was initially built to export copper. Over 40,000 tons of copper ore were exported from here between 1810 and 1813.

Dolcoath mine, Camborne, Cornwall 1893

Cornwall had some of the richest copper reserves on earth during the 18th and 19th centuries.

And so the stories go on, but all has been quiet on the mining front for many years, the mines have all closed.

There is, however, promising news that the mining industry could once more spring to life. Not with tin or copper but with lithium. The mining firm, Cornish Lithium, are quoted as saying that Cornwall holds some of the world's best quality reserves of the metal.

Lithium is in  huge demand for use in mobile phones, laptops and also for the batteries of electric cars - essential as the UK plans to phase out petrol and diesel car sales by 2035.

It is said that along with hydrogen and helium, lithium was one of the three elements produced in bulk by the Big Bang that created the universe.

Other Posts:

Who or What are Cornish Knockers?

Did Jesus Visit Cornwall?

Public Footpath to Polgooth

Travelling Back In Time to the Cornwall of 2012 - 15 Photos

It has been decidedly wet and windy recently so I thought I'd do a little time travel and take us back to 2012 when the sun was shining. This was the year the Olympics were being held in London.

The Olympic flame and torch were travelling throughout Britain and there was a lot of interest here in Cornwall as the torch journeyed through St.Austell. The crowds were out, as were the police.

The policeman below was showing quite an interest in the proceedings, something seems to have caught his eye.

Some of the onlookers were dressed in their finery for this special occasion.

The wait though got a bit boring after a while ...

... so there was time to suck on an ice lolly with the union flag in hand.

There's always someone who'll try to keep a waiting crowd entertained.

Ah ha, won't be long now as the London police car has arrived - and who says that policemen can't smile!

Reminded me of that very old song:

I know a fat old policeman, he's always on our street
A fat old, jolly red-faced man, he really is a treat
He's too fine for a policeman, he's never known to frown
And everybody says he is the happiest man in town
He laughs upon his duty, he laughs upon his beat
He laughs at everybody when he's walking in the street
He never can stop laughing, he says he'd never tried
But once he did arrest a man and laughed until he died.

Then at last things were happening and a few more smiles were on display.

Another policeman all the way from London.

They were said to be trained officers from the Metropolitan Police Service - aptly known as the Torch Security Team.

At last the torch and flame arrived.

And here's a second look at the torch.

The runners and officials had their own coach.

Then the party was soon over ...

... and people slowly dispersed. 

A  lingering police van made sure we got back to 2020 safely.

Brrr! It's dull, grey and rainy back here in 2020.

Walking to Malpas, Cornwall Alongside the River

We decided on a shortish walk starting at Boscawen Park, Truro - where there is free car parking. From here there are views of the cathedral, though it looks better when the tide is high.

From here we walked alongside the Truro River. The park's playing fields and the trees are all very pleasant.

The river is quite muddy when the tide is out.

So, a muddy view follows. I read that the mudflats are feeding grounds for wildfowl and wading birds as well as fish species including European sea bass, thicklip grey mullet, European flounder and European eel. 

The sun popped out brightly as we reached the aptly named Sunny Corner.

Several small boats on parade - real stick in the muds though!

The Flower Pot Family welcomed us with a smile.

It was then time to climb some steps onto a footpath, which led through the woods.

The path took us to Malpas Village. The only problem on the path was that the tall trees hid the views of the river.

Perhaps we hadn't missed much as the river was still very muddy. 

At Malpas the river becomes the Tresillian River, which later flows into the River Fal.

There are some pleasant houses in the village overlooking the river.

A few small boats visible now.

The river widens as it makes it's way between the tree laden banks.

Bits and pieces  to enjoy on the river.

For a moment the river sparkled in the sun, all looked so peaceful.

This photo just because I like Porshe cars!

We started to retrace our steps ...

... passing the Heron Inn

In normal pre-virus days we would probably have had a drink here - but times have changed. We found somewhere overlooking the river to sit and devour our packed lunch - and a flask of tea (of course!)

We wandered back and soon found ourselves  at Sunny Corner once more. There's a veranda here with seats, so we sat for a while - as there was no one else about.

We then made our way back to Boscawen Park.

The park usually has some impressive flower beds but this year they have been sowed with wild flowers - beginning to fade now though.

The cricket pitch looked well cared for - with the score board in position.

It was then just a short walk back to our car.

A couple of other random walks:

(1) Walking to Black Head, Cornwall - With Magnificent Views of Coastline

(2) 33 Photos: A Circular Walk Based On Gover Valley, St.Austell, Cornwall