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Welcome to The Primitive Cornish Hovel. A place where I will share my love of prim, vintage, family history, many interests & everyday life. I hope to show you a glimpse of a bygone age through the history of my family & the many 'treasures' I hold dear. Mixed in with this will be snippets of life today. Do drop in again for a visit to see what is happening at 'The Hovel'. Comments are welcomed.

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Tuesday 30 September 2008

A Windy Day in Cornwall

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"Come, little leaves," said the wind one day,
"Come o'er the meadows with me and play:
Put on your dresses of red and gold -
For summer is gone and the days grow cold."
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Hello from a windswept Cornwall. The glorious weather of the past two weeks has deserted us and in its place we are left with a chilly wind and a fine drizzle. Yet I do so like to walk along a beach in this weather. Mind you that was far from my mind when we set off earlier today to look for a new bathroom suite....Yes we’ve finally managed to find an electrician and builder to finish off the utility room and to put in a totally new bathroom and separate shower room...hurrah!!! The only problem is I have a set idea as to what type of bathroom I want and you’ve guessed it, not one of the cheapest!!!. I want it vintage style and did see one I quite like but will look around some more....
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After leaving the showroom we went off with no particular destination in mind. Hubby has a few days off this week and despite the weather we were determined not to go home too early. On days like this we just go off and when we reach a crossroads just decide which direction to go in...Today however we didn’t travel far because we turned right in the direction of Portreath but with no intention of going there. This lane travelled first through the lovely village of Gwithian which has a beautiful church. It was here where we nearly lived before we finally purchased the Hovel (offer made, etc, but the vendor was a bit of a pain, after 5 months we’d had enough but that’s another story!!).....
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Gwithian Church.
Obviously this picture was not taken today as the sun is shining

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On leaving the village we travelled along the scenic route and passed many farm vehicles making their way home. The wind by this time was howling through the car’s partially opened window and fine rain drops were beginning to fall on the glass. Either side of us was the coarse grass associated with coastal farm land where there is no protection from the salty wind. We didn’t passed any cars or people walking and it was heaven. I did feel sorry though for the poor cattle in one field and the poor birds were being blown sideward away from their destination. Apart from the odd isolated farm nothing but nature can be seen until you reach a surf shop laying back off the road to the left and Hell’s Mouth Cafe further up the lane on the right. As we approached the cafe we were surprised to see that it was still opened, so without hesitation we pulled in and stopped for a cup of tea and sandwiches. Not content with that we also had some delicious Cornish ice cream for desert.........
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Hell’s Mouth Cafe
Looks like a sunny day when this photo was taken (courtesy of Tony Atkin).
Take away the people, cars and sun,
add mist, rain and wind then you will get an idea of what it was like today


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While sitting inside the cafe enjoying my cup of Earl Grey I looked through the window at the weather and was reminded of holidays taken as a child on the Lincolnshire coast. Being flat it was constantly windy and often accompanied with a fine drizzle. Many a day was spent outside in weather such as this, for regardless of the weather my mother’s motto was ‘ We are on holiday and you will enjoy it’...lol...
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Now you may wonder why the cafe has such a name as Hell’s Mouth....well, across from the cafe is one of the region’s most infamous spots known as Hell’s Mouth, an inaccessible secluded cove. Despite the weather I had to walk across to stand near the cliff edge, behind the wooden bar obviously. With a sheer drop of about 200 feet down to the sea, where waves crash against the ragged sides, it pays to be cautious!!! Especially as the wind was blowing a gale as I glanced across the sea......
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Part of the cove that can be seen when you look down (courtesy of Trish Steel)
The sea looks tame here, it certainly wasn’t today
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The wind has such a rainy sound
Moaning through the town,
The sea has such a windy sound,—
Will the ships go down?

The apples in the orchard
Tumble from their tree,—
Oh will the ships go down, go down,
In the windy sea?

~ Christina Rossetti - 1830-1894 ~
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Hell’s Mouth (courtesy of Trish Steel)

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As with most of Cornwall this area was known as a landing place for smugglers (could still be for all I know...hehe...). As to be expected it is also a popular spot for tourists and walkers but not today. I saw no one other than the cafe staff due to the strong blustery wind and rain....
As I stood there with the wind blowing around me my thoughts turned to the reason why this spot is infamous....sadly Hell’s Mouth is synonymous with suicides, too many, a young man's body was found in the water only last month.....
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The other side showing that the sea was out the day this photo was taken
(Courtesy of Steve Rigg)
The sea was crashing up the cliff sides this afternoon

and from where I stood the way down looked a lot further away......

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It was sad to think that the spot where I stood had been witness to the last act of many a loss soul. This thought brought to mind the story of the ‘Suicidal Screams’. It is said that a man once killed himself by leaping off the cliffs after he found his home burnt to the ground and his sister missing. As stormy weather approaches his haunting screams are said to be heard as their sound bounces off the steep cliff side.......
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Cliffs at Hells Mouth
(Courtesy of Pierre Terre)
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It made me wonder that as the weather was stormy had his screams echoed around this very spot earlier today. With that sobering thought I made my way back to the car..... Today was not the day for an invigorating coastal walk, instead home called me....
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Coastal walk West of Hell’s Mouth leading to Hayle
(Courtesy of Pierre Terre)
Inviting as this photograph of the coastal walk may look, it wasn’t today
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Another visit to Hell’s Mouth is needed to appreciate this beautiful part of the Cornish coastline, but on a day when the sea is blue and the sun is shining......
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Rocks near Hell's Mouth (Courtesy of Pierre Terre)

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Until then I will stay where I am for the moment.....warm and cosy in my lounge with the glow from my open fire.....lol......

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Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.
~ Anthony J. D'Angelo ~

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8 comments:

annette emms said...

Hi Chrissy,what a change in the weather!
Cornwall was at it's most glorious when we were there a week or so ago, how lucky we were!
Thanks for these amazing pictures. It's true, the moods of the sea are many.
Stay warm in your Hovel.x

KernowWitch said...

Hi Annette, you certinly picked the right week. Although it's still a little windy here sun is shining today. We're off to Penzance now, then another run around, could end up anywhere...lol...Hugs Chrissy x

Genie said...

Hi Chrissy,
Love the Photos,and poems

KernowWitch said...

Thanks genie, I do try and find poetry that fits my posting. We had a good day out today and visited one of my fav beaches but unfortunately forgot my camera. It's looking at me now, sitting on my desk where I left it this morning.....Hugs Chrissy x

Debra said...

What beautiful pictures- hard to imagine it windy & rainy.
The cafe looks like it is wonderful inside!

KernowWitch said...

Hi Deb, the Cornish coast has many faces, that's why I love it so much. I hadn't got my camera that day, wish I had. Yesterday was sunny & windy with surfers enjoying the sea, today its windy, raining and cold but we are still going out!!!...lol...Hugs Chrissy x

Anonymous said...

Hey Chrissy...waving madly to you from downunder..lol..as always, it's a treat to read of your adventures and showing parts of your wonderful country..and hey, i'm with your mum..enjoy holidays, no matter what the weather..lol..
Hope you have got my emails..miss you.
luv Ann.xx

KernowWitch said...

Waving back dear Ann. I always think of you when I post, this way you can 'visit' the UK.....I have had your latest email and I will be replying, lots to say...lol...Hugs Chrissy x