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Thursday 29th February:
What a beautiful, colourful, warm afternoon such a change from the morning rain.
The beach at Praa Sands looked amazing in the late winter sun. Overcast when I first arrived but gradually partly clear skies moved in from the west to give some gorgeous light. Plenty of folks and dogs out enjoying the warmth including Archie, the golden retriever, who snuck up on me while I was crouched down in the surf.
The "beach tree" is still hanging on despite quite a lot more cliff having disappeared.
What a beautiful, colourful, warm afternoon such a change from the morning rain.
The beach at Praa Sands looked amazing in the late winter sun. Overcast when I first arrived but gradually partly clear skies moved in from the west to give some gorgeous light. Plenty of folks and dogs out enjoying the warmth including Archie, the golden retriever, who snuck up on me while I was crouched down in the surf.
The "beach tree" is still hanging on despite quite a lot more cliff having disappeared.
Wednesday 28th February:
A wet morning was followed by thick mist and drizzle in the afternoon. Up at St Just the visibility was down to 30 metres or so but dropping down Cot Valley to sea level at Porth Nanven saw the mist partly clear.
Very grey with a moderate surf coming in over the boulders as the tide began to come in. There is much less sand than a few weeks ago due to the bad weather. It's amazing how beaches on the open Atlantic coast can change overnight, hopefully by summer it will be all sand again.
I met another photographer who is studying for a photography degree in London and was spending time down here making images of coastal erosion as part of her course. Plenty to look at here as a lot more of the soft cliff has collapsed with all the rain over the winter. She was mostly using old film cameras and so will see the results when she gets back into the university darkroom.
A wet morning was followed by thick mist and drizzle in the afternoon. Up at St Just the visibility was down to 30 metres or so but dropping down Cot Valley to sea level at Porth Nanven saw the mist partly clear.
Very grey with a moderate surf coming in over the boulders as the tide began to come in. There is much less sand than a few weeks ago due to the bad weather. It's amazing how beaches on the open Atlantic coast can change overnight, hopefully by summer it will be all sand again.
I met another photographer who is studying for a photography degree in London and was spending time down here making images of coastal erosion as part of her course. Plenty to look at here as a lot more of the soft cliff has collapsed with all the rain over the winter. She was mostly using old film cameras and so will see the results when she gets back into the university darkroom.
Tuesday 27th February:
A bland kind of day, neither sunny nor totally grey but just a bit of nothing really. I had the camera set to b&w but there just wasn't enough contrast and when I discovered the blue pool I switched to colour.
The first Lizard Lifeboat Station was opened in 1859 with the first boathouse costing £120 to build. The building standing now was built in 1914 at a cost of £5000. Launching in bad weather from the Lizard Station was notoriously dangerous and so in 1961 the station was moved about 3 kilometres to the east at Kilcobben Cove where it is today but still called The Lizard Lifeboat Station. In 2012 a brand new boathouse was opened.
Well worth a visit as the boat is at the bottom of a steep cliff and accessed by a funicular railway. When the station was first opened the crew had to run down 200 steep steps.
A bland kind of day, neither sunny nor totally grey but just a bit of nothing really. I had the camera set to b&w but there just wasn't enough contrast and when I discovered the blue pool I switched to colour.
The first Lizard Lifeboat Station was opened in 1859 with the first boathouse costing £120 to build. The building standing now was built in 1914 at a cost of £5000. Launching in bad weather from the Lizard Station was notoriously dangerous and so in 1961 the station was moved about 3 kilometres to the east at Kilcobben Cove where it is today but still called The Lizard Lifeboat Station. In 2012 a brand new boathouse was opened.
Well worth a visit as the boat is at the bottom of a steep cliff and accessed by a funicular railway. When the station was first opened the crew had to run down 200 steep steps.
Monday 26th February:
A beautiful sunny afternoon saw me down on Gwynver Beach where, despite the strong north easterly wind at the top, it was sheltered and quite warm. Gwynver by the way is Cornish for whitewater so quite appropriate today. I arrived just as the tide was making it's way in and I had the beach to myself. Later a few others came down and one or two coast path walkers passed by.
I used to be able to walk all the way up the hundreds of steps to the car park without stopping but no more I'm afraid, a few rests are required these days.
A beautiful sunny afternoon saw me down on Gwynver Beach where, despite the strong north easterly wind at the top, it was sheltered and quite warm. Gwynver by the way is Cornish for whitewater so quite appropriate today. I arrived just as the tide was making it's way in and I had the beach to myself. Later a few others came down and one or two coast path walkers passed by.
I used to be able to walk all the way up the hundreds of steps to the car park without stopping but no more I'm afraid, a few rests are required these days.
Sunday 25th February:
Rain again today but about two hours before sunset there was a drier spell and some light coming through gaps in the cloud. Up at Cape Cornwall I made my way down into Priest's Cove where all the fishing boats are pulled up for the winter.
Some big waves coming in over the reefs and for the first hour I was there they were being backlit by the hazy sun. Just when it looked like we might get a good sunset thicker cloud spread down from the north east and I only just got back to the car before the heavy rain arrived. I've never seen so much surface water about at the moment with streams running down all the roads and lakes in fields where there shouldn't be any.
Rain again today but about two hours before sunset there was a drier spell and some light coming through gaps in the cloud. Up at Cape Cornwall I made my way down into Priest's Cove where all the fishing boats are pulled up for the winter.
Some big waves coming in over the reefs and for the first hour I was there they were being backlit by the hazy sun. Just when it looked like we might get a good sunset thicker cloud spread down from the north east and I only just got back to the car before the heavy rain arrived. I've never seen so much surface water about at the moment with streams running down all the roads and lakes in fields where there shouldn't be any.
Saturday 24th February
A return trip to Lands End but this time out onto the cliffs to the south east. The swell is starting to drop away and the light not quite what it was with a lot of hazy cloud signalling more heavy rain on the way.
That's not to say the conditions were bad but I've been spoiled the last few days and as photographers we always want perfection. At least today the wind had dropped to more normal speeds and I wasn't blown over.
A return trip to Lands End but this time out onto the cliffs to the south east. The swell is starting to drop away and the light not quite what it was with a lot of hazy cloud signalling more heavy rain on the way.
That's not to say the conditions were bad but I've been spoiled the last few days and as photographers we always want perfection. At least today the wind had dropped to more normal speeds and I wasn't blown over.
Friday 23rd February
I invite you to spend the afternoon at Lands End today, extremely windy, we'll go past the dangerous cliffs sign and clamber down to nearer sea level to find a bit of shelter.
On our right we can look across to the old coastguard lookout above Sennen, in front of us we have the Longships Lighthouse and to our left we can look along to The Armed Knight up to the Lands End Hotel.
When the rain arrives we'll go up to the hotel and have a cup of tea and watch the squall pass from inside.
I invite you to spend the afternoon at Lands End today, extremely windy, we'll go past the dangerous cliffs sign and clamber down to nearer sea level to find a bit of shelter.
On our right we can look across to the old coastguard lookout above Sennen, in front of us we have the Longships Lighthouse and to our left we can look along to The Armed Knight up to the Lands End Hotel.
When the rain arrives we'll go up to the hotel and have a cup of tea and watch the squall pass from inside.
Thursday 22nd February
This afternoon I walked a few kilometres of the Cornwall coast path, from Nanjizal to Porthgwarra. This area is on the south coast just around the corner from Lands End, you can see the Longships Lighthouse in some of the images.
The images are a bit deceiving because they give little clue to the strength of the wind. I was battered constantly, literally blown off my feet and could only take images by upping my ISO and shooting with shutter speeds in the thousands.
The shipping forecast this morning did warn of winds up to storm force 10 but at least it was blowing me inland not over the cliffs.By the time I got to Porthgwarra I was absolutely exhausted. I spoke to the officer at the coast watch station he said he'd only seen 3 ships all day so they must all be sheltering somewhere.
This afternoon I walked a few kilometres of the Cornwall coast path, from Nanjizal to Porthgwarra. This area is on the south coast just around the corner from Lands End, you can see the Longships Lighthouse in some of the images.
The images are a bit deceiving because they give little clue to the strength of the wind. I was battered constantly, literally blown off my feet and could only take images by upping my ISO and shooting with shutter speeds in the thousands.
The shipping forecast this morning did warn of winds up to storm force 10 but at least it was blowing me inland not over the cliffs.By the time I got to Porthgwarra I was absolutely exhausted. I spoke to the officer at the coast watch station he said he'd only seen 3 ships all day so they must all be sheltering somewhere.
Wednesday Afternoon:
After lunch the heavy rain passed and we were left with grey skies and flurries of drizzle. We drove up to Cape Cornwall and then walked down across the field on the east side with views across to Kenidjack.
A big swell was coming into the bay and smashing against the cliffs opposite. Despite the churning chaos a seal was lying in the water with it's head back seemingly relishing this natural jacuzzi.
The car park was nearly empty when we arrived but by the time we made our way up to the Dog and Rabbit for tea and cake, quite a few other wave watchers had arrived to witness the spectacle.
After lunch the heavy rain passed and we were left with grey skies and flurries of drizzle. We drove up to Cape Cornwall and then walked down across the field on the east side with views across to Kenidjack.
A big swell was coming into the bay and smashing against the cliffs opposite. Despite the churning chaos a seal was lying in the water with it's head back seemingly relishing this natural jacuzzi.
The car park was nearly empty when we arrived but by the time we made our way up to the Dog and Rabbit for tea and cake, quite a few other wave watchers had arrived to witness the spectacle.
Wednesday 21st February
Rain and gales have returned and put Spring on hold. The sea has again taken on it's angry Winter appearance.
As the tide made this morning I knew the waves would be colliding down on the promenade and so I braved the rain to capture some of the action.
Rain and gales have returned and put Spring on hold. The sea has again taken on it's angry Winter appearance.
As the tide made this morning I knew the waves would be colliding down on the promenade and so I braved the rain to capture some of the action.
Tuesday 20th February
A dull day forecast but there was just a hint of sun at sunrise on the Met Office site.
I went down to the seafront where all was grey with flurries of drizzle in the air. Enough sea coming in to bounce off the promenade wall and collide with the next wave as in the first b&w image. Then, just for a minute, a small opening appeared on the horizon and I had just the briefest glimpse of light and a hint of colour. No sooner had I grabbed an image and it closed again.
A dull day forecast but there was just a hint of sun at sunrise on the Met Office site.
I went down to the seafront where all was grey with flurries of drizzle in the air. Enough sea coming in to bounce off the promenade wall and collide with the next wave as in the first b&w image. Then, just for a minute, a small opening appeared on the horizon and I had just the briefest glimpse of light and a hint of colour. No sooner had I grabbed an image and it closed again.
Monday 19th February
A warm hazy sunshine day to start the week and a drive up to Portreath for coffee, lunch and a few hours photography.
Not the giant waves you often see here but enough going on to make it interesting. The local school must have had a training day as there were plenty of children out and about. Later in the week much bigger seas are forecast so a return trip might be on the cards.
Portreath Harbour always fascinates me. It was one of Cornwall's earliest industrial ports with a pier being constructed in 1760 and later extended. By 1840 100,000 tons of ore per annum from the mines around Camborne and Redruth was being shipped from here to South Wales for smelting. The seamanship to get ships into this harbour must have been amazing. The Monkey Hut on the end of the pier was for the dock workers to shelter and when the ship got to the entrance ropes would be thrown and the ship literally pulled into the inner basin.
A warm hazy sunshine day to start the week and a drive up to Portreath for coffee, lunch and a few hours photography.
Not the giant waves you often see here but enough going on to make it interesting. The local school must have had a training day as there were plenty of children out and about. Later in the week much bigger seas are forecast so a return trip might be on the cards.
Portreath Harbour always fascinates me. It was one of Cornwall's earliest industrial ports with a pier being constructed in 1760 and later extended. By 1840 100,000 tons of ore per annum from the mines around Camborne and Redruth was being shipped from here to South Wales for smelting. The seamanship to get ships into this harbour must have been amazing. The Monkey Hut on the end of the pier was for the dock workers to shelter and when the ship got to the entrance ropes would be thrown and the ship literally pulled into the inner basin.
Sunday Afternoon Beach Life
After rain, rain and more rain the weather at last broke and gave an afternoon of warmth and sunshine to end the school half term. Beautiful light and a hazy blue sky made Sennen Beach look like the summer holidays.
Families out in force enjoying this short burst of sun as for the next few days it's forecast to be damp and grey.
After rain, rain and more rain the weather at last broke and gave an afternoon of warmth and sunshine to end the school half term. Beautiful light and a hazy blue sky made Sennen Beach look like the summer holidays.
Families out in force enjoying this short burst of sun as for the next few days it's forecast to be damp and grey.
Sunday 18th February
Some sunshine promised for later but at sunrise this morning, although the downpours had stopped, the air was full of drizzle and low cloud hung over the bay. Just a few dog walkers out as the tide made it's way over the causeway.
Some sunshine promised for later but at sunrise this morning, although the downpours had stopped, the air was full of drizzle and low cloud hung over the bay. Just a few dog walkers out as the tide made it's way over the causeway.
Saturday 17th February:
Heavy rain forecast for the weekend and this morning at first light it was already drizzling and a strong westerly wind coming across the bay.
Out at the end of the pier "Leaky Boots" was catching pilchards and mackerel for his tea. The wind was swirling around and he was having trouble keeping his roll up lit, seeking shelter behind the wall in between each fish.
Leaky is a local character who raises a lot of money for charity in a shop he runs in the town.
His real name is James Batty and he's even an author having written two angling books "The Song of the Solitary Bass Fisher" and "Fishing From the Rock of the Bay"
Heavy rain forecast for the weekend and this morning at first light it was already drizzling and a strong westerly wind coming across the bay.
Out at the end of the pier "Leaky Boots" was catching pilchards and mackerel for his tea. The wind was swirling around and he was having trouble keeping his roll up lit, seeking shelter behind the wall in between each fish.
Leaky is a local character who raises a lot of money for charity in a shop he runs in the town.
His real name is James Batty and he's even an author having written two angling books "The Song of the Solitary Bass Fisher" and "Fishing From the Rock of the Bay"
Friday 16th February:
A mild dry day with hazy sunshine saw us down on Porthchapel Beach for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Not the greatest of skies largely because it was so patchy, blue here and there but largely quite bland especially to the west. A bit of surf running and one surfer did come down the difficult access path over the rocks. Only two other people on the beach for a short while when we arrived but other than that we were on our own. Around the corner Porthcurno beach was busy but this beautiful little cove is less well known and harder to access.
A mild dry day with hazy sunshine saw us down on Porthchapel Beach for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Not the greatest of skies largely because it was so patchy, blue here and there but largely quite bland especially to the west. A bit of surf running and one surfer did come down the difficult access path over the rocks. Only two other people on the beach for a short while when we arrived but other than that we were on our own. Around the corner Porthcurno beach was busy but this beautiful little cove is less well known and harder to access.
Thursday Part 2:
With downpours forecast for later it was a morning visit to a damp and breezy Porthleven. Coffee and toast was followed by photography and then more coffee by which time the rain had arrived.
With downpours forecast for later it was a morning visit to a damp and breezy Porthleven. Coffee and toast was followed by photography and then more coffee by which time the rain had arrived.
Thursday 15th February:
A blustery damp morning in Penzance with a five minute burst of colour at sunrise.
The ship anchored in the bay is the Buoy-Laying Vessel Galatea.
A blustery damp morning in Penzance with a five minute burst of colour at sunrise.
The ship anchored in the bay is the Buoy-Laying Vessel Galatea.
Wednesday Afternoon:
A thick fog descended on the coast this afternoon. Up at Botallack you could hardly see the sea at times. Just a few hardy visitors coming to enjoy the view but in the end they saw very little.
I wandered down the track that takes you to the Crowns Engine Houses. These conditions aren't unusual here and you wonder what the scene would have been like in the mid 19th century with the mines all along this coast in full production. Probably like a scene from hell.
A thick fog descended on the coast this afternoon. Up at Botallack you could hardly see the sea at times. Just a few hardy visitors coming to enjoy the view but in the end they saw very little.
I wandered down the track that takes you to the Crowns Engine Houses. These conditions aren't unusual here and you wonder what the scene would have been like in the mid 19th century with the mines all along this coast in full production. Probably like a scene from hell.
Wednesday 14th February
A warm but breezy morning on Penzance seafront this morning. Mist and drizzle with enough movement in the sea for the waves to come over the promenade.
A warm but breezy morning on Penzance seafront this morning. Mist and drizzle with enough movement in the sea for the waves to come over the promenade.
Tuesday 13th February
The sun has gone, the wind and rain has returned just in time for the school holiday. Over on the beach between Long Rock and Marazion this afternoon, despite the mist and flurries of drizzle, people were out and about enjoying their holidays.
Windsurfers, kite surfers, dog walkers and visiting families determined to have a good time.
A big spring low tide meant plenty of beach uncovered and the causeway open to walk to St Michael's Mount.
The sun has gone, the wind and rain has returned just in time for the school holiday. Over on the beach between Long Rock and Marazion this afternoon, despite the mist and flurries of drizzle, people were out and about enjoying their holidays.
Windsurfers, kite surfers, dog walkers and visiting families determined to have a good time.
A big spring low tide meant plenty of beach uncovered and the causeway open to walk to St Michael's Mount.
Monday Afternoon:
After my early morning sardine adventure this afternoon we took the Jet Boil for a cup of tea and made the effort to climb Trencrom Hill. The history here is fascinating- Neolithic enclosure, an Iron Age hill fort, lived on by Cornish giants and mined into by those seeking tin and copper.
trencrom is on St Michael's Way followed by pilgrims going to St Michael's Mount in the hope of miracles. From here they would have got their first view of the Mount and in fact you can see nearly the whole of West Cornwall with 360 degree views.
On the way home there was a sudden downpour as a black cloud hovered over the road. Expecting a rainbow I pulled over and a beautiful one appeared. You wouldn't normally use an infrared camera for this but the last image shows you what a rainbow looks like if you do.
After my early morning sardine adventure this afternoon we took the Jet Boil for a cup of tea and made the effort to climb Trencrom Hill. The history here is fascinating- Neolithic enclosure, an Iron Age hill fort, lived on by Cornish giants and mined into by those seeking tin and copper.
trencrom is on St Michael's Way followed by pilgrims going to St Michael's Mount in the hope of miracles. From here they would have got their first view of the Mount and in fact you can see nearly the whole of West Cornwall with 360 degree views.
On the way home there was a sudden downpour as a black cloud hovered over the road. Expecting a rainbow I pulled over and a beautiful one appeared. You wouldn't normally use an infrared camera for this but the last image shows you what a rainbow looks like if you do.
Monday 12th February- "The Catch"
Down on Penzance Pier this morning in the dark, the sea was alive with small fish breaking the surface and the gulls were circling around.
Just off the pier Pz. 101 The Mayflower was using the latest electronic fish finding technology to locate a suitable shoal of sardines (pilchards) to put it's net around. A sardine is just a small pilchard, the Latin name is Sardinus pilchardus.
The series shows the complete story from searching to suddenly paying out the net and encircling a shoal that the skipper has deemed suitable. You know the netting has begun when a bright orange light starts flashing on top of the mast. Sometimes at night you can see numerous flashing orange lights in the bay as all the ring netters will be out if the sardines are in. Once the net had been closed and brought alongside the fish could be hauled aboard, this morning another boat was called out of Newlyn to help.
The Mayflower is a purpose built ring netter launched just 10 years ago and belongs to Ocean Fish a name you may well find on some of your supermarket fish products.
Down on Penzance Pier this morning in the dark, the sea was alive with small fish breaking the surface and the gulls were circling around.
Just off the pier Pz. 101 The Mayflower was using the latest electronic fish finding technology to locate a suitable shoal of sardines (pilchards) to put it's net around. A sardine is just a small pilchard, the Latin name is Sardinus pilchardus.
The series shows the complete story from searching to suddenly paying out the net and encircling a shoal that the skipper has deemed suitable. You know the netting has begun when a bright orange light starts flashing on top of the mast. Sometimes at night you can see numerous flashing orange lights in the bay as all the ring netters will be out if the sardines are in. Once the net had been closed and brought alongside the fish could be hauled aboard, this morning another boat was called out of Newlyn to help.
The Mayflower is a purpose built ring netter launched just 10 years ago and belongs to Ocean Fish a name you may well find on some of your supermarket fish products.
Sunday 11th February
The wreck, the rainbow and waves.
Down on Gwynver beach at lunchtime the wind was blowing, the sun was shining and the sea was wild. A big spring tide had revealed parts of the Trifolium (info below).
The waves were crashing over Aire Point and we were even treated to one of the fattest rainbows I've seen.
"The Trifolium, originally launched as the Lord Clyde, was 16 days into a passage from Cardiff (left on 5 February 1914) when it began to leak so turned back for Falmouth. Having departed on 10th March to continue her voyage, the ship encountered a gale and began to leak again. The ship spent the Saturday and Sunday beating in a westerly gale off Land's End and eventually went ashore near Aire Point on Sunday 15th March 1914. The captain and mate were washed overboard and lost, as were three other crewmen, while the other six were saved. The ship then went to pieces on the beach." Royal Museums Grenwich.
The wreck, the rainbow and waves.
Down on Gwynver beach at lunchtime the wind was blowing, the sun was shining and the sea was wild. A big spring tide had revealed parts of the Trifolium (info below).
The waves were crashing over Aire Point and we were even treated to one of the fattest rainbows I've seen.
"The Trifolium, originally launched as the Lord Clyde, was 16 days into a passage from Cardiff (left on 5 February 1914) when it began to leak so turned back for Falmouth. Having departed on 10th March to continue her voyage, the ship encountered a gale and began to leak again. The ship spent the Saturday and Sunday beating in a westerly gale off Land's End and eventually went ashore near Aire Point on Sunday 15th March 1914. The captain and mate were washed overboard and lost, as were three other crewmen, while the other six were saved. The ship then went to pieces on the beach." Royal Museums Grenwich.
Saturday 10th February
Beach People.
With the best of the weather forecast for the morning it was a trip to Perranuthnoe Beach at low tide. Perranuthnoe is a ten minute drive east of Marazion. Very blustery but there was some sunshine coming and going before a black cloud and rain forced us into the cafe.
A lovely spot to visit with two cafes and a pub. Coastpath walks east to Cudden Point and Prussia Cove or west back towards Marazion. Lots of families out on the beach, playing football, jumping in and out of pools, collecting shells and walking their dogs.
Beach People.
With the best of the weather forecast for the morning it was a trip to Perranuthnoe Beach at low tide. Perranuthnoe is a ten minute drive east of Marazion. Very blustery but there was some sunshine coming and going before a black cloud and rain forced us into the cafe.
A lovely spot to visit with two cafes and a pub. Coastpath walks east to Cudden Point and Prussia Cove or west back towards Marazion. Lots of families out on the beach, playing football, jumping in and out of pools, collecting shells and walking their dogs.
Friday 9th February
Some sunshine at last and overnight a big swell had got up in the bay. Over between Marazion and Long Rock plenty of people getting wet including me. A real feel of Spring in the air and despite the breeze you didn't need a coat.
Some sunshine at last and overnight a big swell had got up in the bay. Over between Marazion and Long Rock plenty of people getting wet including me. A real feel of Spring in the air and despite the breeze you didn't need a coat.
Thursday 8th February
The weather is getting murkier and murkier and rain was forecast for most of today but there was a two hour drier window in the morning. With low tide at 10 o'clock I decided to go down behind the railway station and then walk along the beach part way towards Marazion.
Mist and light rain came through in flurries but still quite a few dog walkers dotted along the beach.
By the time I headed back the tide had cut off the steps behind the station so I had to go through one of the three tunnels under the railway viaduct.
The first images are in black and white but later a bit of colour presented itself as you will see.
The weather is getting murkier and murkier and rain was forecast for most of today but there was a two hour drier window in the morning. With low tide at 10 o'clock I decided to go down behind the railway station and then walk along the beach part way towards Marazion.
Mist and light rain came through in flurries but still quite a few dog walkers dotted along the beach.
By the time I headed back the tide had cut off the steps behind the station so I had to go through one of the three tunnels under the railway viaduct.
The first images are in black and white but later a bit of colour presented itself as you will see.
........and a bit of colour
Wednesday 7th February
Another overcast day with rain in the morning but just a bit of mist and light rain in the afternoon. When I was thinking where to go I remembered an image I saw yesterday evening posted by Rik at #cornishlives.
The image was of the black hut at Sennen. It is in fact a holiday let called Carn Keys, if you like beach life it's perfect.
I got my wife to drop me above Gwynver Beach and I made my way along the cliffs separating Gwynver and Sennen beaches. The first two images show my view to the north and then to the south, in the second you can see the Longships Lighthouse off Lands End. Despite there being no sun the colour of the sea and winter bracken was lovely and it was really quite warm. Just a few surfers and dog walkers on the beach once I'd eventually scrambled down.
Another overcast day with rain in the morning but just a bit of mist and light rain in the afternoon. When I was thinking where to go I remembered an image I saw yesterday evening posted by Rik at #cornishlives.
The image was of the black hut at Sennen. It is in fact a holiday let called Carn Keys, if you like beach life it's perfect.
I got my wife to drop me above Gwynver Beach and I made my way along the cliffs separating Gwynver and Sennen beaches. The first two images show my view to the north and then to the south, in the second you can see the Longships Lighthouse off Lands End. Despite there being no sun the colour of the sea and winter bracken was lovely and it was really quite warm. Just a few surfers and dog walkers on the beach once I'd eventually scrambled down.
Tuesday 6th February:
We are still in the spell of dark grey and misty weather down here in West Cornwall. This afternoon we drove up to St Just ,parked the car, and then set off on a mystery tour following a footpath across a field. The path took us downhill into Kenidjack Valley and then another led us uphill through some allotments towards an old mine engine house that I've only ever seen from a distance.
From here another path took us along, high up on the east side of Kenidjack Valley, past a beautiful grey horse and then down to more familiar tracks in the valley itself. Really interesting and amazing, as I was born here, how many footpaths actually exist that I've never trodden on.
We are still in the spell of dark grey and misty weather down here in West Cornwall. This afternoon we drove up to St Just ,parked the car, and then set off on a mystery tour following a footpath across a field. The path took us downhill into Kenidjack Valley and then another led us uphill through some allotments towards an old mine engine house that I've only ever seen from a distance.
From here another path took us along, high up on the east side of Kenidjack Valley, past a beautiful grey horse and then down to more familiar tracks in the valley itself. Really interesting and amazing, as I was born here, how many footpaths actually exist that I've never trodden on.
Monday 5th February
The Tregeseal River runs down Kenidjack Valley and enters the sea at Porthledden Cove with Cape Cornwall in view across the bay. The valley is such an interesting place to explore and is full of the relics of mining and streaming activity. the search for tin here may well date back to the bronze age but most of the visible ruins are from the Victorian era.
As the river reaches the Atlantic Ocean it tumbles over the rocks and around and under a huge granite boulder that always fascinates me. Totally different in colour and texture to the native rocks I can only assume it came to lie here through the mining activity. Further up the valley the abandoned buildings are built of this kind of granite. This enormous slab was probably quarried and then deemed unsuitable. Using an online calculator it probably weighs well over 30 tonnes.
The Tregeseal River runs down Kenidjack Valley and enters the sea at Porthledden Cove with Cape Cornwall in view across the bay. The valley is such an interesting place to explore and is full of the relics of mining and streaming activity. the search for tin here may well date back to the bronze age but most of the visible ruins are from the Victorian era.
As the river reaches the Atlantic Ocean it tumbles over the rocks and around and under a huge granite boulder that always fascinates me. Totally different in colour and texture to the native rocks I can only assume it came to lie here through the mining activity. Further up the valley the abandoned buildings are built of this kind of granite. This enormous slab was probably quarried and then deemed unsuitable. Using an online calculator it probably weighs well over 30 tonnes.
Sunday 4th February:
A dark and grey afternoon saw me clambering over rocks a kilometre or more to the east of Marazion. At low tide a spit of rocks juts 100 metres out into the sea and from here you get a very different perspective of the castle on St Michael's Mount. From the more normal photography positions in front of the Mount the way up to the castle is relatively gentle but at the back of the island the castle actually looks more impressive. I doubt many people have taken a camera to where I went today. The sky was full of gulls and gannets diving on the shoals of pilchards in Mounts Bay at the moment.
I had parked by Marazion Cemetery and just as the light was fading even more I went in and made an image including the winged horse and girl grave monument. The girl was called Lesley Mary Knott and she died in 1968 aged just thirteen. I assume she had her own horse and this is certainly a beautiful memory of her. The monument looks huge here but is actually only a metre or so high.
A dark and grey afternoon saw me clambering over rocks a kilometre or more to the east of Marazion. At low tide a spit of rocks juts 100 metres out into the sea and from here you get a very different perspective of the castle on St Michael's Mount. From the more normal photography positions in front of the Mount the way up to the castle is relatively gentle but at the back of the island the castle actually looks more impressive. I doubt many people have taken a camera to where I went today. The sky was full of gulls and gannets diving on the shoals of pilchards in Mounts Bay at the moment.
I had parked by Marazion Cemetery and just as the light was fading even more I went in and made an image including the winged horse and girl grave monument. The girl was called Lesley Mary Knott and she died in 1968 aged just thirteen. I assume she had her own horse and this is certainly a beautiful memory of her. The monument looks huge here but is actually only a metre or so high.
Saturday 3rd February:
An exciting morning at Porthleven Harbour, including Paul the human cannonball.
An exciting morning at Porthleven Harbour, including Paul the human cannonball.
Friday 2nd February - The Rock
Have you ever given much thought to Limpets. Clinging on while the sea batters the rock they live on and then, when we can no longer see them, have a bit of a party with algae for tea before hunkering down once again as if nothing had happened.
Have you ever given much thought to Limpets. Clinging on while the sea batters the rock they live on and then, when we can no longer see them, have a bit of a party with algae for tea before hunkering down once again as if nothing had happened.
They were just opening Penzance Harbour dock gates when I arrived before sunrise this morning. Two fishing boats were on their way in. The first was a Penzance boat and the second a Plymouth boat. A bit of chaos ensued as the Penzance boat moored up and then realised the fish lorry next to them was the lorry for the Plymouth boat. Another lorry arrived and so it should have just been a matter of moving the lorries around but just at that moment a fuel tanker pulled up alongside the Plymouth boat and so the lorry in the wrong place couldn't move. A few choice words beginning with F were uttered about Plymouth boats in Cornish harbours but it sorted itself out and the unloading began.
Thursday Afternoon:
This afternoon it was a drive up to St Just and then down Cot Valley to Porth Nanven. It was low tide and so it was possible to clamber over the boulders to the sand.
I was hoping for a spectacular sunset but unfortunately the promised evening rain was on it's way and dark clouds rolled in about an hour before.
This afternoon it was a drive up to St Just and then down Cot Valley to Porth Nanven. It was low tide and so it was possible to clamber over the boulders to the sand.
I was hoping for a spectacular sunset but unfortunately the promised evening rain was on it's way and dark clouds rolled in about an hour before.