Poldark Country - Botallack

If you live outside of the UK you may not have heard that we are watching a series called Poldark based on the books by Winston Graham.

I vaguely remember a series years and years ago on the BBC so this is a series of books which have not been over done with remakes.  Hubby is not a big drama fan (although he makes sure that he does not miss an episode of Downton Abby!) but he has enjoyed this series and suggested that we go and find a couple of the locations where the series was filmed. 

With a bit of Googling and armed with our National Trust book we decided to visit two places.

We have visited other Cornish mines in the area and we are not quite sure how we missed this one. There are several mines really close together and as you look back along the coast you can imagine the sight of all of them working in their heyday.  It would have been a very busy section of coastline.

So on a gorgeous day we set off and I was armed with mobile (which has a camera better than my camera and my Samsung Tablet which I use much more since February.

The colours of the sea and sky were the best that I have seen in ages.

The Ore was heated to remove Arsenic and sulphur which was collected in a labyrinth of little tunnels and arches shown above, to leave just the metal.  The chimney at the top helped to suck the air through those little tunnels.

There are several mines in a very small area and the one shown on your left is Wheal Owles and some bits of it was used in the filming.  It does look different in the series so some aspects must have been added to temporarily  make it look like it was in current use rather than as you see it here.

This is the view out to sea and along the coastline.  Dangerous work but this is a stunning area.  Bet it was not quite so nice on a stormy day mind you!

I wonder how on earth they managed to build these mines.  On the other side it is literally straight down!  You have to take it very carefully walking down and my hip did manage it as I took a painkiller before I left but how  women of the day got up and down there in long skirts I will never now. (This is not an area for anyone with sticks, or not steady on their feet.)
 The pathway may have been better then as much appears to have worn or fallen away or become damaged by the elements.  Again on a Stormy windy day this must have been a dreadful place to be and dangerous above ground as well as below.
Sophie asked lots of questions and was able to link the series to an actual area that she lives in.  Sophie also asked about the books as well so perhaps in a year or two that will be next.

The lower mine is much further down that it might look and is no longer accessible.  The day was fascinating and it was good to link it to what is a fictional story but is also linked to a past where there is still evidence of a living that is no longer happening.
If you get a chance to visit Cornwall go on the National Trust Website and there is lots of information there linked to the Poldark series, go along and soak up the history.
xx
PS
Love this Instagram App for multi pictures.

English Heritage - Pendennis Castle

Today we decided to take advantage of the great weather and visit Pendennis  Castle which is part of English Heritage.  This was also partly so that Sophie could complete a History project homework that she had been working on.

So I charged my camera and phone.  Made sure that Sophie had done the same and I quickly grabbed my Samsung as I was going out the door.  I drove today and I have to say it was pretty warm driving in the sun.  So hopefully a lovely Easter will soon be upon us.

So, found a lovely angle to take my first photo and guess what?  A flat phone and I left the camera on the kitchen table!  Thank goodness my Samsung tablet was okay.  Really hard to see anything in such bright sunlight.  Some turned out well though considering.

Anyway.

Got that disappointment over with so we set off for homework worthy information! 

For me I wanted to have a go at a few Landscape style photographs because after Easter I will be starting a Photographic Landscape Project with a Year 9 Art and Design group.

I will probably need to go again with my digital and SLR camera to get better pictures but considering I could not see anything on the screen but my own face these turned out to be lucky shots.  Just look at the colour of that water. 

Sophie got what she needed and after a lovely dinner at The Harbour View in Falmouth we set off home again.  Hubby drove back, so I was able to check my pictures and soak up the gorgeous weather. 

Need to think of somewhere to visit next weekend. 

We are seasoned National Trust visitors but new to English Heritage so does anyone have a recommendation for our next visit?

Have a good week, I am off to soak up some more of the Cornish  coastline on Poldark. 

Have a good week everyone.

xx
PS another Samsung post,  I tell you what..........I really like this litte gadget more than I thought I would!
x

Par and Looe Beach Cornwall

After our meal on Tuesday we decided to go to our local beach.  I hoped to find some shells for my art lessons next year and Sophie was itching to have her first summer paddle in the sea.

There were lots of people who clearly had the same idea as us and the number of dogs swimming in the sea and running around was surprising.  Dogs love the water and there were no trouble whatsoever.  One did decide to shake right by me which resulted in an apology by the owner but having grown up with German Shepperd's it was by no means the first time that has happened.

We walked all the way along and Sophie's job was to find interesting shells that my students would b able to draw shapes and colours from.  I took these pictures under cover yesterday as the sun was so bright I could not see what I was doing!  Must not complain as it is a nice change not be to soaking wet every time I go out of the front door.

This is tiny little shell and is not longer in use by its original owner but has to much detail on it.

Blogger has spun this picture round.....I have a shell book which I have had ever since I was about 8 years old and we are going to try and match up these shells an identify them, so some learning is involved too.

This is a lovely shape.  One of Sophie's finds.

These are now in a shoe box ready to go back to school along with some shells that we collected years and years ago.  They will be used a lot and I intend on doing some drawings with Sophie today using these and the shell book.  I shall post any pictures if they are any good.

Yesterday hubby has a boat survey to do in Looe so we tagged along and sat on the beach for a couple of hours.

Another glorious day, we are really being spoilt at the moment and we intend on making the most of it too.

The beach was very busy with looks to look at and the water seemed very blue indeed today.

Not so good for shell hunting but the sand is excellent for making sand castles.

Sophie's bucket broke a couple of summers ago so as a treat we bought her a new one.  Could not go to the beach and not make sand castles, so this one has a tower and a section of wall all in one.  Hope that makes sense, and with some help as the mould/bucket is quite heavy when full of sand she made her castle.

Next was a moat and water was needed.  It took a few minutes for Sophie to notice that no matter how quickly she filled the moat t was being soaked up by the sand so she then made a channel from the moat to the incoming tide and them it filled up straight away.  She then stood on her castle "defending" it until the sea took it over. 

The day was rounded off with fish and chips on the beach in polystyrene boxes which are bad for the environment but excellent for making basic printing blocks!!!

Great day all round!

x

Summer has Begun

The start of the summer holiday has been busy with Sophie taking part in a ballet production for three evenings last week and on Saturday night we went to the Arts Theatre to watch it.  It was very good and considering the girls (and a few lads) only have lessons once a week and the groups have those lessons at different times, it all slotted into place very well.

The above picture has nothing to do with the ballet but the posts needs a picture and photos could not be taken at the performance.

We were then invited back to our friends house for coffee and a chat which started off the break really well.

Sunday was a glorious day and so many little jobs done outside in the garden.  The decking and chairs are out, the big umbrella is up and this family is now very ready for the summer,,,now....please weather keep it going for a bit at least.

Today I did go into school for about 4 hours and spent a fun packed session sorting out paper work!!!

Oh yes folks....nothing more fun than seeing just how much work you have done only to have to throw it away because it is out of date in the eyes of someone else.  It is recycled by the way.  So many drawings, photos etc, oh well never mind.

When I got back at about 3pm Sophie and hubby decided to go out on their bikes, but with my hip and upper back the way it is at the moment I decided to give it a miss and enjoy the chance to cook our meal without being knackered or having hubby make it.

Homemade Ratatouille and pasta plus a angel delight and fruit sundae surprise and a sneaky sit outside in between.

google images

After dinner we set off down to the nearby beach to look for some shells and any small bits of driftwood for my art lessons next year.  I have cleaned them off and I shall take some pictures tomorrow.  There were so many people there with the same idea, a glorious Cornish coastline view and calm sea....perfect but sorry no camera, it really was a spur of the moment idea.  I will get my act together and have everything I need in one place for going out like that.

As for tomorrow, well I am going to go back into school to finish off what I started today and maybe tackle the filing cabinet if there is time because in the afternoon hubby has a boat survey in Looe and we are going to tag along.  I shall pack my camera as well.

A preety good start to the summer holiday so far.

What have yo been up?

xx

A rare evening out.....Boscundle Manor

images courtesy of google images

We never did get a chance to do anything for our 14th wedding anniversary at Easter, so a couple of weeks ago we thought that we would try a meal at Boscundle Manor which is about 2miles from our house.  Unfortunately they had weddings for the next two weeks....then yesterday we got a table.

So for the first time in ages I put on a dress, dragged out some heels (yes the back and hip did manage to survive me walking in them, but only just), baby sitter arrived and off we went.

Firstly we went to the bar for a glass of wine and then some canapes were brought out.  Part of which was a hot carrot and coriander soup in a shot glass and it was lovely. Some music but nothing that blasted your ear drums, I must be getting old.

We ordered our meal and then sat chatting for a while.

We then moved to the dinning room, we had the table for two by the window at the back of the picture.

I decided on scallops for starter and hubby had asparagus with goats cheese with side bits which I forget.

Followed by Duck (we both had the same!)  and then for dessert I had a gorgeous Pecan tart with ice cream in a small brandy snap basket case.  Funny how I can remember the dessert so clearly!!  Hubby has a slate which was covered with cheeses and crackers with grapes.

Gorgeous dinner!

Due to a need to sit easy after all that we moved this time to the lounge  to finish our wine.  It was dark by now so please picture here with lights and lots of candles.

There were several other groups but not a large number of people at all.  At one point we were the only ones in the dinning room!

I spotted this lovely piano but this night there was no one playing but the atmosphere of the room was very relaxing.

Boscundle Manor is a Spa and Hotel and Dinner is available to non-residents so if you are visiting Cornwall near the Eden Project it might be worth a visit.  Just Google Boscundle Manor, it will come straight up and it has details of all of the facilities etc.

I am not a food critic and i do not want to bore you all with in-depth text about my dinner, simply to say it was lovely and we will definitely go back for another special occasion and I am thinking of looking at the Spa days for a future girls day out with friends.  Will let you know if I do.

Take care.

xx

Olympic Flame in Cornwall

Well we went into St Austell and found our spot and waited for what seemed like forever!  

As we got out of the car a friend called out so we and our daughters went off to find our spot.

We were at the front on our spot but you know what it is like and by the time anything was happening we were no longer at the front.

So we did the best that we could with our pictures.

We were stood there for nearly 90 mins but then eventually some large buses and coaches paraded through.

Cheerleaders.

Olympic coach.

With the motto and logo on the side.

Lots of buses with the support crew and music etc

Hundreds of people.

The next few pictures are the results of a group effort.  You can just about see the torch bearer top left as you look  at the photo.

Just going out of shot but you can see me bottom left wearing the flowery fleece top with the black background.

I kept snapping away and this was the best I got.  A hand, torch and lots of smiling faces!  My friends daughter got a better shot and said she would email it to me so I may be able to show it later.

So it past me within a few feet.  It is now on its way to Lanivet in mid Cornwall and should be in Plymouth by about 8.50pm.  I had hoped for a better picture but there were so many people out to watch, but that is a good thing and it looks like it is going to be a very exciting 10 weeks leading up to the Opening Ceremony.

As we were walking back to the car we caught up with one of the smaller buses and we saw........

...what looked like spare Torches.  They really are much more shiny in real life.  There was about 8 of them and it was quite a surprise to see them.  

Plus this little character stuck to the window.

If you are able to log into the BBC website you should be able to see a route and additional information.

One of my students is going to carry the torch along Plymouth Hoe tonight and I wish her all the best.

xx

I took part in a Charity Gig Race in Newquay..

For those of you who may not know what a Gig is the picture above is from Google images and also happens to be one of the boats used by Newquay Rowing Club.
A colleague at work emailed asking if anyone would be filling to help fill a boat, along with experienced rowers, for a charity race to help raise money for South West Cornwall Hospice Care. Thought about it and after a chat with Hubby emailed back and said yes. I have had a bit of a go canoeing and I got quite good at the old Hawaii Five-O bit but I have never rowed in a Gig before. We were told not to worry about it, we would be shown how to row and have experienced club members with us.

We were given a quick run down on some do's and don't's what the wooden pins were for, and what to do if you catch a crab. I was yet to fully find out what that bit meant!

I am the one standing with the long sleeves. Being fair it does not take much for me to burn and I was not taking any chances. Getting the gig in the water was a careful operation which included some little two wheeled trailers.

It was such a hot day, about 26 degrees today, so going up to the knees in water was a nice relief.

You can clearly see the name of the gig here. They are made from solid wood, although there were two fibre glass ones. One of the Gigs was over 100 years old.

The chap here is called Steve and he has rowed many times and had been brought in as the muscles to help. You might be interested to know that he is blind and the strokes were called out for everyones benefit to help us all keep in time which really helped.

Getting in the boat was easy........getting that oar upright was not, it is bloody heavy!!! Needed help so as not to hit anyone with it. Look at the clear water. A lovely day for mucking about on the water.

A perfect day in Cornwall. Getting ready to move...........just got to get these ores in the right place using the wooden support pins on the side of the gig.

We started to head out t0 the sea getting instruction and guidance as to what to do. We went out a long way and it is really surprising just how quick they move.

We were going along quite well, picking up speed then all of a sudden the oar shot out of my hand, I kept hold of it, it then shot back my way as it caught the water and the end of the oar thumped into me next to my shoulder and pushed me off my seat onto the bottom of the gig.

That is what "catching a crab" is. It did seem more like a full size killer whale the force at which that ore came back at me.

I simply did not get the oar out of the water fast enough after completing the stroke. It was one of those times when you know what you have done as soon as it happens kind of thing.

I shall have a massive bruise on my chest and I already have a colourful bruise on my rear end!!! It is going to be all colours of the rainbow.

Then............I did it again!! Just as well the chap behind could not see as my descent was not pretty and trying to untangle myself was not easy especially as I got the back of my waistband caught on a hook as I was trying to get up and I was still trying to hang on the ore while everyone else is still rowing!! Managed it, to a "Good recovery there, keep going....." from the front of the Gig. Got back on my seat vowing that it was going to be the last time, crikey, the race had not even started yet.

We kept going to the start line and in all of the spare water there was in the sea there was this orange buoy, and we managed to hit it with our oars!!

Things were looking good eh? We did have a laugh about that though.

We tried to line up, which is not easy and the start was a bit quick but we made a good start. At one point we were in the lead but another gig got rather close and I had to stop rowing and I lost the rhythm a bit as I did not want to get my oar tangled up.

We went at full throttle. Hubby said that we were so far out that you would only see the ends of the oar flashing in the sunlight. It was hard going and keeping in time is definitely the hardest part as a beginner.

You certainly need stamina for this and keeping up the pace was tricky but because it is for charity just keeping going was the aim. If you miss timed just lift your ore out and then slot back in again. Over half way along my friend lost her oar to a "crab" but did not manage to get it out of the water in time. It slotted under the ore in front. It was ages before she got it back, how I do not know as I was too busy looking back at mine because I no longer had hers to keep in time with.

Then a big hooter sounded and we had reached the finish line.

It was good fun and I would give it another go but I would like some proper lessons as making my first go in a Gig during a race was a bit full on!

Best bit was......I stayed on my seat!!!

Get the Gigs back on shore meant having to get that ore up in the air again. I had nothing left in my arms so I had to slide it done the gig instead, narrowly missing two people.

A chap from the local paper asked to take a picture so we lined up in the boat. We shall have to try and track that down as we do not live the catchment area for that newspaper.

Next, we needed to put the Gig away. Looked fairly easy until we got to a stone tunnel with a 30-40 degree angle. Pushing it up to the top was not easy. One of the trailer wheels ran over my foot as the person next to me did not move fast enough but luckily the tyres are quite soft so no damage done.

We were all thanked for our efforts as it takes a bit of nerve to get in a Gig and race with experts and try and keep up. The charity rowers were of all ages and I am pretty pleased that at the age of 41 I kept up and did not disgrace myself. I might have even earned a little bit of street cred on Sunday.

It has to be the biggest thing I have done outside of my comfort zone, but every now and then I like to try and buck my own trends.

I just hope that I can get up and go into work without too much trouble.

Happy Sunday

xx