A lot of driving on the penultimate day, starting of at Wheal Peevor. This is a site of an old mine, which could be seen from the guest house across the hills. It is a few miles south of Redruth. Most of the buildings are semi derelict as you would expect. It is not a pay attraction, though there are very good information panels around the site. The site also gives the impression of being a nature reserve as well.
From there we then drove to just outside Newquay to visit Trerice House. This Elizabethan house is set within some amazing countryside. The house itself is National Trust run, and as you would expect is well looked after. The boys were able to dress up in soldiers garb of the period. The gardens too were good to look at, and included a lawn version of the Cornish version of skittles.
A drive back down, past Wheal Peevor to Godrevey was my choice, the others wanted to go back to Fistral Beach. They let me off, when we spotted that the seals were on their secluded beach there. There must have been over 20 adults and at least 3 pups. A truly amazing sight.
The last day saw a long drive home, including yet another visit to the Eden Project on the way. We also stopped in a totally forgettable village on the Devon border, to try to find a beach. Tide was in, but pleasant enough. Can not remember where this was though, and would not hurry back, so it's probably just as well.
In case anyone is interested, the places we chose to eat in the evenings were:
Hayle - Pizza Patio x3
Redruth - Inn For All Seasons x2
Hayle - Dan's Plaice x1
Redruth - Morrish Fish & Chip Restaurant
Tuesday 30 August 2011
Sunday 28 August 2011
CORNWALL 2011 (2)
The Saturday morning saw us heading off to different places. We dropped my lovely wife off at The Lost Gardens of Helligan, which she explored, and then picked her up again some hours later. Apparently a good garden to visit.
I took the boys into Mevagissey. We went mainly to visit the World of Model Railways, but to be hones we found this very disappointing. It was a pay attraction, but the two other places we saw were both free, and we would have willingly paid at both. The Aquarium is sited within the old lifeboat house. It displays fish which would be found off the Cornish coast. The small town museum was also a fascinating visit.
The day was rounded off with a return visit to Fistral Beach in Newquay.
Sunday saw us driving down to Falmouth to visit the excellent Pendennis Castle. This castle has been in the forefront of defending the Cornish coast from the days of Henry VIII through to World War 2. There is lots to see here, and the history is laid out in an easily understood way.
The day ended with yet another trip to Fistral Beach.
Monday was spent in the other direction completely. About 10 miles north of Lands End you will find Geevor Tin Mine. It was one of the three most famous mines in the Cornish tin mining industry. Part of the site has been preserved as it was when nearly shut in 1986. This is a poignant part of the visit for me, as the mine manager's office is very similar to my father's office from the same period, when he died. There is the chance to go on an underground tour too.
The beach this day involved a return visit to Godrevey.
I took the boys into Mevagissey. We went mainly to visit the World of Model Railways, but to be hones we found this very disappointing. It was a pay attraction, but the two other places we saw were both free, and we would have willingly paid at both. The Aquarium is sited within the old lifeboat house. It displays fish which would be found off the Cornish coast. The small town museum was also a fascinating visit.
The day was rounded off with a return visit to Fistral Beach in Newquay.
Sunday saw us driving down to Falmouth to visit the excellent Pendennis Castle. This castle has been in the forefront of defending the Cornish coast from the days of Henry VIII through to World War 2. There is lots to see here, and the history is laid out in an easily understood way.
The day ended with yet another trip to Fistral Beach.
Monday was spent in the other direction completely. About 10 miles north of Lands End you will find Geevor Tin Mine. It was one of the three most famous mines in the Cornish tin mining industry. Part of the site has been preserved as it was when nearly shut in 1986. This is a poignant part of the visit for me, as the mine manager's office is very similar to my father's office from the same period, when he died. There is the chance to go on an underground tour too.
The beach this day involved a return visit to Godrevey.
Saturday 27 August 2011
CORNWALL 2011 (1)
Earlier this month we had yet another great family holiday for a week in Cornwall. We stayed in a small village called Wheal Rose just outside Redruth. The Goonearl Cottage Guest House was an ideal place for a base. Amazing breakfasts, with most of the produce from the immediate locality. The family suite was the best we have encountered, with two large rooms and spacious bathroom.
On the way down we stopped off at the Eden Project again. This place never ceases to amaze all of us, as each time you visit something is different. The only slight downside, was the new viewing platform being closed due to high temperatures and humidity.
Our first full day there was spent up in Newquay, about 20 miles north of where we stayed. The afternoon was spent on the vast expanse of Fistral Beach, enjoying the sand, safe bathing, and rock pools. The morning was spent looking round Newquay Zoo. This is yet another good example of a small zoo which clearly looks after their animals. There is no cramping of space, with all creatures having plenty of space and enrichment. My personal favourites here were the Eurasian Lynx and the Fossa.
The second day was spent west of base, in fact the morning was as far west as we could go, Lands End. We ignored the tourist themed areas, and after finding the memorial stone to the four boys from Stoke Poges who drowned there in 1985, one of whom was known to me, we went on a walk. We walked down to Sennen Cove and back. For a while the lifeboat at Sennen Cove was named The Lost Boys and was partly funded by a sponsored walk from Stoke Poges to Lands End.
The afternoon was spent at Godreavy beach just east of Hayle. The point is one end of St.Ives Bay which includes three miles of sandy beaches. The north side of the point has rocky coves a long way down, which are home to seals. Again hours of fun playing on the beach and rock pooling.
On the way down we stopped off at the Eden Project again. This place never ceases to amaze all of us, as each time you visit something is different. The only slight downside, was the new viewing platform being closed due to high temperatures and humidity.
Our first full day there was spent up in Newquay, about 20 miles north of where we stayed. The afternoon was spent on the vast expanse of Fistral Beach, enjoying the sand, safe bathing, and rock pools. The morning was spent looking round Newquay Zoo. This is yet another good example of a small zoo which clearly looks after their animals. There is no cramping of space, with all creatures having plenty of space and enrichment. My personal favourites here were the Eurasian Lynx and the Fossa.
The second day was spent west of base, in fact the morning was as far west as we could go, Lands End. We ignored the tourist themed areas, and after finding the memorial stone to the four boys from Stoke Poges who drowned there in 1985, one of whom was known to me, we went on a walk. We walked down to Sennen Cove and back. For a while the lifeboat at Sennen Cove was named The Lost Boys and was partly funded by a sponsored walk from Stoke Poges to Lands End.
The afternoon was spent at Godreavy beach just east of Hayle. The point is one end of St.Ives Bay which includes three miles of sandy beaches. The north side of the point has rocky coves a long way down, which are home to seals. Again hours of fun playing on the beach and rock pooling.
Sunday 14 August 2011
City Of Hope
Following on from the Vigilante post, this is another offering for uncertain times. I have no idea whatsoever as to whether the author of these words is a Christian or not, but to me the lyrics convey a lot of what many people are thinking or hoping for at the moment.
I too am praying that God will shine His light into our world a bit brighter at present, and give people reason to re-believe, both in Him and in hope for their cities.
The song is performed by the band Journey.
People waiting for some kind of sign from above,
Lost in the shadows of doubt, need a message of love,
Nothing is certain in uncertain times,
Hard to see beyond the greed and the crime,
Oh, the faithful refuse to give up,
Homeless and hungry survive just enough,
Learn to smile through it all,
They are blessed from above
Never stop believin,
Change will come
There's a city of hope beyond our fears,
Where miracles happen,
Where truth can be heard,
Don't you wanna go to the city of hope
On the edge of the world, across oceans of blue,
It's a place where a dream has a chance to come true,
Don't be fooled by illusions, or falling from grace,
Make your own destiny
Find your own place,
Where the streets beat the last things of trouble over own play
Never stop believ'n,
Change will come
There's a city of hope beyond our fears,
Where miracles happen,
Where truth can be heard,
Don't you wanna go to the city of hope
Founded on faith,
Connecting us all,
A network of love to answer the call,
Yeah, that's where I am from
The city of hope
I hear them whisper, "Sendin a prayer,"
A cry to the spirit where they no longer wonder
Never stop believin,
Change will come
There's a city of hope beyond our fears,
Where miracles happen,
Where truth can be heard,
Don't you wanna go to the city of hope
I too am praying that God will shine His light into our world a bit brighter at present, and give people reason to re-believe, both in Him and in hope for their cities.
The song is performed by the band Journey.
People waiting for some kind of sign from above,
Lost in the shadows of doubt, need a message of love,
Nothing is certain in uncertain times,
Hard to see beyond the greed and the crime,
Oh, the faithful refuse to give up,
Homeless and hungry survive just enough,
Learn to smile through it all,
They are blessed from above
Never stop believin,
Change will come
There's a city of hope beyond our fears,
Where miracles happen,
Where truth can be heard,
Don't you wanna go to the city of hope
On the edge of the world, across oceans of blue,
It's a place where a dream has a chance to come true,
Don't be fooled by illusions, or falling from grace,
Make your own destiny
Find your own place,
Where the streets beat the last things of trouble over own play
Never stop believ'n,
Change will come
There's a city of hope beyond our fears,
Where miracles happen,
Where truth can be heard,
Don't you wanna go to the city of hope
Founded on faith,
Connecting us all,
A network of love to answer the call,
Yeah, that's where I am from
The city of hope
I hear them whisper, "Sendin a prayer,"
A cry to the spirit where they no longer wonder
Never stop believin,
Change will come
There's a city of hope beyond our fears,
Where miracles happen,
Where truth can be heard,
Don't you wanna go to the city of hope
Saturday 13 August 2011
Psalm 33
Psalm 33
1 Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord;
it is fitting for the pure to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;
make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
3 Sing a new song of praise to him;
play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
4 For the word of the Lord holds true,
and we can trust everything he does.
5 He loves whatever is just and good;
the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.
6 The Lord merely spoke,
and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
and all the stars were born.
7 He assigned the sea its boundaries
and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
8 Let the whole world fear the Lord,
and let everyone stand in awe of him.
9 For when he spoke, the world began!
It appeared at his command.
10 The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations
and thwarts all their schemes.
11 But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;
his intentions can never be shaken.
12 What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord,
whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
13 The Lord looks down from heaven
and sees the whole human race.
14 From his throne he observes
all who live on the earth.
15 He made their hearts,
so he understands everything they do.
16 The best-equipped army cannot save a king,
nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
17 Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—
for all its strength, it cannot save you.
18 But the Lord watches over those who fear him,
those who rely on his unfailing love.
19 He rescues them from death
and keeps them alive in times of famine.
20 We put our hope in the Lord.
He is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
for our hope is in you alone.
Friday 12 August 2011
Vigilante
At the time of writing this there is much talk of vigilante groups defending their neighbourhoods from the threat of attack by groups of rioters. I am not going to go into the rights or wrongs of what the rioters claim to be their grievances, but in my mind they are outweighed by sheer criminality.
The song Vigilante was recorded by Magnum, as seems to be apt at the moment, which is why I am posting on it.
I personally believe though, that we should not be looking for a vigilante to act on our behalf, but that we should leave it to God on the day of judgement.
Racing in the shadows pounding of the feet
While the old men get to praying
And the children try to sleep
Just another promise they don't really care
'Cause the movement on the borders
Got the people running scared
Standing on the corner never got things done
If you leave your front door open
You'll be the foolish one
No misunderstanding no honour among thieves
It's a sorry situation
When a gun is all you need
Go call the vigilante
He'll turn this place upside down
Go call the vigilante
He don't get kicked around
Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Racing in the shadows pounding of the feet
While the old men get to praying
And the children try to sleep
Just another promise they don't really care
'Cause the movement on the borders
Got the people running scared
Go call the vigilante
He'll turn this place upside down
Go call the vigilante
He don't get kicked around
Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Vigilante vigilante man
Vigilante call the vigilante man
The song Vigilante was recorded by Magnum, as seems to be apt at the moment, which is why I am posting on it.
I personally believe though, that we should not be looking for a vigilante to act on our behalf, but that we should leave it to God on the day of judgement.
Racing in the shadows pounding of the feet
While the old men get to praying
And the children try to sleep
Just another promise they don't really care
'Cause the movement on the borders
Got the people running scared
Standing on the corner never got things done
If you leave your front door open
You'll be the foolish one
No misunderstanding no honour among thieves
It's a sorry situation
When a gun is all you need
Go call the vigilante
He'll turn this place upside down
Go call the vigilante
He don't get kicked around
Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Racing in the shadows pounding of the feet
While the old men get to praying
And the children try to sleep
Just another promise they don't really care
'Cause the movement on the borders
Got the people running scared
Go call the vigilante
He'll turn this place upside down
Go call the vigilante
He don't get kicked around
Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Hold on there's a new way a comin'
Looks like it's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Vigilante vigilante man
Vigilante call the vigilante man
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