The Dark Side of Bodmin Jail

I was, perchance, searching for a certain something about Bodmin when I came across the website of the Bodmin Jail Hotel. Strewth, I thought, it looks somewhat different to when I last visited the jail several years ago.

I remember walking around the actual cells, with just my wife for company. I only took a few photos as on this post. It was all very creepy.

The Jail was built way back in the reign of George III in 1777. So has lots of tales to tell.

It is said that over fifty prisoners were executed - hanged in other words. The final awful deed was carried out in 1909.

Women were also hanged, like Sarah Polgrean, in the early 1800s. She is said to have murdered her husband. At the time the judge also sentenced her to dissection - for the furtherance of the medical profession.

With such horrors, it is no wonder the ghosts walk in Bodmin Jail. Also see Bodmin Jail and a Hanging Watched by 25,000 People. 

The final hanging, in Bodmin Jail, was in 1909.

Though not very clear to read, the following is a record of some of the prisoners hanged. For example, in the second column from the right, details are entered describing the prisoner's neck i.e. strong neck, muscular neck etc.

A final look at the exterior of Bodmin Jail

I sort of think that it's best not to dwell too much on such photos and themes. I tend to believe that what we focus on becomes part of us. So, here's a typical Cornwall south coast scene to finish the post - a cleanser, if you like.  There is so much beauty and goodness in the world on which to dwell - that is if we have time to stand and stare.

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

~ William Henry Davies 

Thanks for visiting my blog, hope you have a happy week. All good wishes ~ Mike.

A Wander Around the City of Truro, Cornwall

It was a bit of a grey day but my wife had a dentist appointment in Truro. I took the opportunity to walk around the City.

Not a particularly good day for photos but I wandered about. 

The photo below shows Truro's Coinage Hall which has a long history stretching back to the 1300's. Cornish tin was assayed here prior to being exported. The present building was built in 1848.

One of the numerous buses, in various colours, that service the Truro area

Next is Upper Lemon Street which has a long history. There's a photo of how the sreet looked back in1890 here. 

I wonder how many of these traditional phone boxes are used nowadays. When a teenager I remember phoning a girlfriend using such a phone box. I knew of a way to make free lengthy calls so could chat to her for ages. Anyway, had better move on quickly.

This is a newish part of Truro with a large Marks & Spencer shop at the far end.

Primark makes sure it is noticed by shoppers.

Nearly opposite to Primark is a more traditional building: the Market Inn.

Wandering back now towards where I started.

I nearly forgot to mention Truro's Cathedral with it's spires high above the shops and other buildings.

I have previously written posts on Truro Cathedral here.

More buses.

Here's a bit of an oddity near to the Cathedral. The pointed building below is/was St. Mary's church spire. According to what I have read, there had been a church here since the 13th century. 

In 1768 the church was altered and a 39 metre high spire was added to the building. In 1880 the church was demolished to make way for the Cathedral. In 2015 the spire was moved to it's present position - as seen below - which is by the Cathedral Green.

Finally a road, on the way out of the city - it has humps for 100 yards and a speed limit of 20 mph. Not much I can add to that!

I thought I'd better finish off the post with a photo of Truro Cathedral. I snapped this a while back, on a bright day. As you can see the Truro River tide was out - so it was feeding time for the birds. 

P.S. A few Autumn scenes.

This is a wild area nearish to where I live.

Looks quite interesting but, as there was quite a chill in the air, I didn't linger too long.

Many thanks for visiting my blog, take care, have a good week ~ Mike

Cornish Harbours of Mevagissey and Charlestown

I'm starting off in Mevagissey for today's post, with it's jumble of boats and fishing paraphenalia.

I'm now moving on to another favourite harbour: Charlestown

I have written quite a few Charlestown posts, but these (I hope!) are all different photos.

Still in Charlestown.

After some rain there are reflections of the terrace of houses overlooking the harbour.

And to finish today's post I'm in  Lannwedhenek  - that's the Cornish language name for Padstow.

Thanks for visiting my blog - a shortish post this time as it's been a hectic week. 

All good wishes ~ Mike

Lovely Views of Polruan, Fowey and the Fowey River, Cornwall

I often seem to take photos of the Fowey River, looking across from the town of Fowey, so I thought a few pics from the Polruan side of the river would be in order.

Below is the Fowey River with various boats accumulating between Fowey Town and Polruan.

On the Polruan side of the river is the boatyard of C. Toms & Son which can be seen in the next two photos.

A ferry on the river.

Once arriving at Polruan there is the welcoming Lugger Inn.

If you walk up to the top of the hill in the village, there are lovely views -  see my post Polruan, Cornwall : Coastal Views, Chapel Ruins And A Castle

Now though we are looking across from Polruan to Fowey ...

... and another similar view.

Below is where Pont Pill Creek joins the Fowey River.

Here we are at Pont Pill itself - two photos.

From Pont Pill there is an uphill path with wonderful views of the River Fowey. This is part of one of my favourite walks, see my post The Magical Hall Walk at Fowey Cornwall - With Lots of Photos

Now back in Fowey Town - see The Lovely Riverside Town of Fowey, Cornwall, 21 Photos.

Moving on to other things - three photos of the trees on the opposite side of the road to our house.

It's interesting to see the changing of the trees throughout the year. Lots of leaves on the loose at this time of year

I had to visit St. Austell station and from the bridge there was a good view of the church tower and the countryside beyond.

A small train trundled into the station

Just in case you were thinking of dozing off here's a splash of colour seen in St. Austell town ...

... and some more fishy artwork

So that's another week gone, time does seem to fly by at times. What made me think of this was my grandson. He had to interview someone for a school project and he chose me. So we dug out lots old photos and stuff I've kept over the years. This included the picture of me from when I was 14 or 15 - as below.

Where have the years gone? So many memories. Enjoy your week, hope it's filled with happy days. Good wishes ~ Mike.