Cornwall part 2

 

The National Trust property Godolphin was just a few miles from where we were staying near Helston (NW of Helston if you are looking at the map) and I had been looking forward to visiting. Unfortunately it became a case of dodge the showers as we walked round the gardens so it would have been nice to spend more time there.

The house is a two story building most of which is closed to the public as it is used as a holiday let.

The gardens looked lovely considering it was September and raining!

The entrance to the Kings Garden - so called because the gardens were 'fit for a King' and were the entrance to the guest apartments of the house.

At St Erth there is a large park and ride where you can leave your car and take the train for a 10 minute ride to St Ives. We did not spend much time in St Ives as it was incredibly busy and we didnt feel like battling through crowds to get to see anything. However, took a few pictures of the harbour which is very picturesque.

We found a lot of these noisy Turnstones around the harbour area.

Going back on the train we sat on the left hand side so had amazing views of Carbis Bay across to Hayle which was well worth the trip. Unfortunately train windows not clean enough for photographs!

We visited Marazion and looked across to St Michaels Mount.

I was not doing well for photographs that day - here the sun was in totally the wrong direction!

Our last day was incredibly windy - I watched an umbrella fly past the bedroom window before I got up! - and showery. We spent an hour wandering round Helston and then moved on to The Lizard and the chocolate factory near Mullion. Interesting to be able to watch some of the chocolates being made and to indulge in some delicious purchases. There are other interesting craft shops and galleries to visit there too.

From there we drove on to the Lizard point and stopped for lunch. The sun was shining so we sat outside in one of the cafe's huts just in case it rained. But it was incredibly windy. I did fear for my salad as it was delivered! However lovely to sit there and look at the view. I was not looking my best I have to say but there was a very rare photograph taken of me.

After a walk down to the point and a look at the birds we retreated to the car just in time to miss a downpour and happily sat there with our books and binoculars for the rest of the afternoon.

Hope you enjoyed the second installment of our trip - I shall be back soon with some sewing news.

Cornwall part 1

 We have just had a few days away in Cornwall and mostly avoided bad weather until the last day when we drove home in torrential rain!

I thought that I would attach a map for those of you not familiar with UK geography and this one shows most of the places we visited.

We were staying just outside Helston and arrived late afternoon after visiting family also staying in the area. So the next day we drove to Lizard point - the most southerly part of England.

There were seals out on those rocks - not close enough for a photograph though.

From there we moved on to Gunwalloe Church cove, further up the left hand side of the Lizard peninsular. It was lunchtime and we had the beach almost to ourselves!

From the beach you get a glimpse of the church which nestles behind the rocks of Castle Mound.

The church is the low building on the right and the separate Bell tower on the left is built into the rock.

St Winwaloe's was originally known as 'The Church of the Storms. There has been a church on the site since the 5th century, the current building dates from the 15th century and the bell tower from the 13th century.

Just imagine what that beautiful carving on the porch roof beams must have looked like when new!

All dressed up for a wedding - a popular spot I should imagine.

Before leaving the Lizard we had to drive past the enormous satellite dishes at Goonhilly Earth Station  just as it was starting to get dark.

And so the end of our first day - and I think of this post! I shall be back soon with part 2.