Tuesday 6 May 2008

TUESDAY 6TH MAY - hidden Cornwall - 1

Yesterday we decided to begin our personal quest to explore little corners of our home county that we have never been to, even though we have lived this way for nearly 24 years. This started with an article in the local paper about a place we have often passed but never stopped.
We browsed the map and decided the area around Belowda beacon would be our first jaunt.
About 12 miles from home we began.
We took the road to the west of Castle an Dinas ( an Iron Age Hillfort), then went via Trewolvas and into the upper reaches of the tiny River Menathyl. This was such a beautiful valley we stopped in a gateway and enjoyed pasties and a flask of tea.

This was the lane we were driving along - typical of Cornwall.




We had lunch in this gateway. The only sound was the birdsong and the buzzing of a solitary bee. The Spring flowers were such a delight colouring the verges.

Bluebells everywhere.



Celendines. too.



Gorse on the hedge tops.



Lots of Stitchwort.

We went on through the tiny hamlet of St. Wenn and past the farmsteads of Trelver,Tregolls, Tregustick Tregawne and into another very pretty hamlet of Ruthernbridge. This bridge is a pack horse bridge which I really want to find out more about.


I do like these old fashioned signs long way they remain.


We left the bridge and went up a tiny valley through Withielgoose and past Withielgoose Mill.
We found this Celtic Cross by the road near the farm called Tremore.
We then left this hidden corner and 2 miles away joined the A30 to go home.
We were delighted with our little excursion..
I saw this little blue flower and thought it was a violet at first but perhaps it is vipers bluegloss but it is very pretty.
One of the things I love about this county are the place names stemming from the ancient Cornish language.









12 comments:

Unknown said...

Kissa
Ruthern Bridge is on one of the old roads running west of Bodmin and probably has a prehistoric origin. Have a look at www.cornishhedges.com.
Yrs Robin

Jane Hards Photography said...

That looks like a beautiful part of the world. Isn't it nice to keep something away from the tourists. Great post.

Leslie: said...

Thank you for sharing your lovely outing with us. I just love the English countryside and wish I could live there half the year (the good half, lol)

Claire said...

robin:Thanks for that.Will look.
babooshka:I love discovering places off the tourist trail.
leslie:Vancouver looks rather lovely too.

Chris Benjamin said...

what a great idea. we've been trying to get to know our city better one new restaurant at a time. more trees would be nice though.

mountainear said...

Your little plant is Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea). I found it today and thought at first it was a violet too. Spring must be the best time of year in this country. Glad you enjoyed your outing.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

How lovely, kissa. It's ages since I've seen beautiful bluebells.

Milla said...

wow, you do such good photos, everything just comes a-zinging into life. And I ADORE Cornwall, almost to the point of it hurting.

Claire said...

benjibopper:explore where you live this should include eateries of all kind. I'm off to the pub!
mountainear:Thanks for the botanical help.I love to learn something new.
welshcakes: It is a really good year for bluebells they are in profusion.
milla: Cornwall is just so beautiful in Spring and it is pretty good the rest of the year too.You remind me of how lucky I am to live here. Thanks for that.

Georgina said...

What a lovely post, it brings back some great memories. Thanks. Debs x

Claire said...

the lehners in france : Thanks!

Sienna said...

This is so beautiful, I am thinking at the gateway where you had your lunch the crop in the distance looks likes canola!

It looks like the sort of countryside you could visit every week and see something different each time, it's just full of treasure.

(Thankyou so much for the beautiful tour).

Pam