Friday 10 September 2021

A Taster of Cornwall's Eden Project - 27 Photos


Here we are at Cornwall's Eden Project. The first view visitors see are the biomes, as above. There must be thousands of people who have a similar photo.


We usually visit the Wild Cornwall walk first as there are some nice views of the Biomes and beyond.


There are also some other interesting bits and pieces like the memorial leaves fixed to rocks.


A newish addition is the Labyrinth as below, which seemed to interest several children. There could, however, be more to this than expected.


The photo below is something I snapped a photo of, in the Rocky Valley on Cornwall's north coast. There are actually two such rock face carvings - and are said to be from the Bronze Age about 1800 t0 1400BC.


Moving on, I guess Eve has seen many things come and go in her lifetime.


We are now in the Mediterranean Biome for the next four photos.





Also in the Mediterranean Biome was a robin who seemed to follow me about.


There he was again looking at me - robins are one of my favourite birds, so very friendly.


Two more photos from within the Mediterranean Biome.




Now we have moved to the Rainforest Biome for the next three photos.






Watch out for the orangutan, okay he's not real but orangutans are often called the gardeners of the forest.

The sculptor, James Wild, has used scrap metal as his artistic medium.


A small stream within the biome.


Also a West Africa Crop Shop.


Three more photos from the Rainforest Biome.






On high is a rope bridge, quite wobbly but fun.


This is the source of the water within the biome, a waterfall.


That's all for today. Hope you have an interesting weekend and week ahead ~ Mike.



Friday 3 September 2021

Going Bananas in Cornwall, Plus a Harbour and Lots of Heligan Flowers




Going bananas in Cornwall, well not quite but my son has bananas growing in his garden, as can be seen in the photo above.

Another view of his plant.


Actually, the plant looks to be quite a cool dude.


Here's a better photo of the plant - they often look quite scruffy following high winds or heavy rainfall.


Moving on to one of our regular walks in Charlestown. A dog was waiting patiently by one of the cottage gates.


Looking down on some of the ships and boats in dock. This area has a gate to retain the water and there is also a leat to keep it topped up.


Looking west from the Charlestown harbour wall.


As the tide was out it was possible to walk further along the cliffside - carefully!



Looking east at the harbour entrance.  Visiting boats will have to wait for the tide to change.



Moving on now to  the Lost Gardens of Heligan, another of our regular haunts.


Lots of flowers on display as can be seen by the next six photos.












We walked past the Potting Shed but not much potting was going on.


Lots of apples though.


This is the sundial which gives this garden its name - the Sundial Garden.


There is much more to see at the Lost Gardens of Heligan, it stretches over 200 acres. From the gardens its possible to see the sea in the distance.


Below some fungi spotted on an old tree and ...


... shhh! finally the Mud Maid sleeps peacefully.


Thanks for visiting my blog - have an interesting weekend and week ahead ~ Mike.

Friday 27 August 2021

On Tour: City of Bath and the Roman Baths


Yes, you are quite right this isn't Cornwall but, while no one was looking, we scuttled away to the city of Bath in Somerset. I wanted to visit the Roman Baths.

The photo above is Pulteney Bridge in Bath built way back in 1774.

It was a dull day initially. We wandered through the park and headed for the Roman Baths.  

To start with a quote of Solinus in the third century.


Destination achieved here we are looking down on the water from a high walkway.


I read that thermal springs rise on this site and the baths can still flow with natural warm water. 


Some fine statues alongside the walkway.


Another look at the water from a different angle.


Two maidens smiled as I snapped a photo by the bath - okay one of them did.


Looking across the water again.


The stone below is said to be the earliest inscription from the baths. It is from a small monument and dates to 76AD. This means the baths must have been built by that date.


Seemingly the inscription above reads: 'In the 7th consulship of the Emperor Vespian'. This was seven years after he became Emperor in 69AD. 




Another walkway leading to various original exhibits.









There is, of course, more to Bath than the baths. The Abbey for example. It was founded in the 7th century - but has been rebuilt twice in the 12th and 16th centuries.


There were lots of street entertainers about near the abbey.


Can't be easy playing a violin while balancing on a tightrope. Not that I have ever tried.


This gentleman made a pleasant sound.


We made our way through some of the streets, full of character. Jane Austen lived in Wells from 1801. Some say that Bath was the site of the Battle of Mons Badonicus where King Arthur defeated the Saxons, circa 500AD. But, whatever, it's a very pleasant city.


After we had our fill of Bath we hopped on a bus to take us to the city's Park and Ride where our car was waiting.


And, for us, that closed the door on Bath. 


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Thanks for visiting my blog. Hope you have a happy weekend and week ahead ~ Mike.

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