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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Autumn Sun

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For man, autumn is a time of harvest,

of gathering together.

For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.

~ Edwin Way Teale ~

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Hello again from the Hovel and I’ve had a very good reason for not posting since last week, outside beckoned me due to the sun shining.... Yes we finally had the sun that we had been craving for over the summer. We have been blessed with days of sunshine and what a joy it was to walk outside and feel the warmth on my face. September is usually a warm sunny month and although it was late in starting it didn’t let me down, which makes the start of autumn extra special. Although it has been dull in parts today it doesn’t distract from the feeling I get during my favourite season. Today is the Autumnal Equinox which means the sun is moving southwards but I hope it doesn’t move too far away for I love the sun this time of year. I like nothing more than to walk outside and feel that slight chill as a breeze rustles through the trees causing leaves to fall at your feet.......

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The colours of nature never fail to amaze me, yellow, gold, bronze, red and orange mixed with green and when the sun shines it’s magically.....

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This time of year takes me back to when I was a child when the chill in the air reminded me that Goose Fair would soon be here. I am from Nottingham originally and the first Thursday of October was the start of Goose Fair which was held at the Forest for three days. To a child this was an exciting time because all the fairs from around the country congregated here and it was a child’s joy. Thursday was primarily for children and we always had the afternoon off from school to attend. Off I would go with my parents and older sister. My mum used to wrap us up in a coat, hat, etc, for the evenings would get chilly and damp. Oh I remember being atop my dad’s shoulders so I could see more. My sister, who was more daring, liked to go on the fast rides but I was not so brave. At the end of the evening we would make our way home with a coconut, candyfloss, toffee apples and a doll. One year I remember I had a monkey on a stick but much preferred the doll whose clothes would be made out of Nottingham lace....

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Goose Fair was originally held in September at the market square in the city centre. The above vintage postcard from my collection shows the fair when it was held there. The statue of Queen Victoria is no longer there....
No one really knows where the name Goose Fair came from but one suggestion is that geese were taken to Nottingham to be sold along with food, etc. The earliest record of a fair being held was in 1541 but it is likely that there may have been a fair or market held long before this. With the arrival of the railway transport became easier and there was no longer the need to stock up with food in the autumn in preparation for harsh winters. Gradually people began to look upon Goose Fair as an excuse to have a good time but it wasn’t until around 1825 that Merry-Go-Rounds made an appearance. However the town council decided to ban them then but not any more.....
The fair was originally held for eight days but gradually after 1876 it was reduced to three days. As the fair expanded and spilled over into the neighbouring streets it was felt that it was no longer a practical site. Despite protests from local people in 1928 the fair was moved to the Forest Recreation Ground. Today we don’t see the geese, jugglers, minstrels but sadly pickpockets of the modern variety still frequent Goose Fair.....but it doesn’t take away the magic of the fair and for us children this meant the start of Bonfire Night with a hand-made Guy and Halloween trick or treat. What fun autumn is to a child and that feeling lasts for a lifetime.....

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Talking of Halloween made me think of pumpkins and I thought I would show you what my hubby and his work colleagues did to one poor relative of the pumpkin family. Now he tells me he is busy at work and I don’t doubt it for a minute but they found time to do this......and after the owner said not to, big mistake...hehe....

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Just read the note, ‘Please Do Not Touch’, how tempting....

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Phoning home

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Calling out the jobs

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No Privacy (sorry about this one!!!!)

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Getting ready to go home

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As if this wasn’t enough they took the poor thing out in a taxi and on to the beach but perhaps he enjoyed himself......I won’t tell you what the owner said when he found out!!!!! Thankfully he had already won a prize......Enjoy your week. Until next time.....lol.....

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~ Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower ~

~Albert Camus~

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Remembering 9/11

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It’s hard to believe that it’s seven years since that terrible day in September 2001, when the world stood still in shock. Many of us will never forget that day when the unimaginable happened. A country such as the US was attacked and so many people lost their lives and families were changed forever. People from around the world watched in horror as the events unfolded on their television screens, unable to comprehend what was occurring before their eyes. Families in different countries also wanted to know what had happened because it was not only American people who were there that day. People from all corners of the globe worked in those buildings, travelled on the planes and lived in the US. One such person was Rick Rescorla, who was the chief security officer for the financial services firm Morgan Stanley.......

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Rick Riscorla

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I mention Rick Rescorla in particular because he was born in 1939 in Hayle Cornwall, the town where I live. A memorial dedicated to him was unveiled on September 11 2002 at the side of the Harbour on Penpol Terrace, fittingly placed opposite his childhood home......

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Rick was supposed to be on vacation but for various reasons chose to work that day. After having led many of his fellow employees to safety, he returned to the building to rescue others still inside. He was last seen heading up the stairs of the tenth floor of the collapsing World Trade Centre 2. Many people said that during the evacuation he was singing songs to keep up their spirits. One being an adaptation of the song Men of Harlech:

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Men of Cornwall stop your dreaming

Can't you see their spearpoints gleaming

See their warriors' pennants streaming

To this battlefield.

Men of Cornwall stand ye steady

It cannot be ever said yefor the battle were not ready

Stand and never yield!

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I can remember quite clearly where I was when I heard this devastating news. I was sat on the steps in front of the town’s War Memorial, situated outside St. La parish church. I had been inside the church looking at a display of quilts beautifully made by some local ladies. I was waiting for hubby to telephone me to arrange picking me up. The sun was shining and St. Ives was busy due to many holiday makers still being here. I remember that on hearing the news from my husband everything seemed surreal. The sun was still shining, people chatting and laughing as they walked around St. Ives, yet across those many miles the sun was no longer shining.......

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I would like to show you some of the quilts I saw that day. I hope the ladies who made them won’t mind too much me showing them here, thank you.........

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The photographs below do not do the interior of St La church justice.....

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How poignant that so many candles should be lit on this day

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In remembrance of all the people who lost their lives that day and all their loved ones......

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"To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die."

~ Thomas Campbell ~

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Wow Another Award

Hello there, sorry I’ve not been in at the Hovel lately but some family issues and general life has made me soooo busy. I kept saying to myself that I must take time out to chat to you guys but before you know it another day has gone by, and then a week......but today I had a good reason to make some time to chat to you all. I’ve received another Award and felt so chuffed that I wanted to tell you about it.......

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My thanks for this Award goes to Deb of http://pilgrimsandpioneers.blogspot.com/ ....... Thanks so much Deb......why not visit Deb’s blog for yourself and say hi, you won’t be disappointed and you should see the beautiful prairie bonnet she’s made......

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Now after an Award is received the first thing to do is to post a link to the person who sent it to you....that’s the easy part. You then select up to seven blogs to which you pass on the Award...that’s the difficult part.....which ones and how many? Oh, and don’t forget to let the blog owners know that you’ve sent them an Award......I visit many interesting and inspirational blogs and although all truly deserve an Award I have selected the following:

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Annette of: http://rowanspatch.blogspot.com/ .....Like me Annette loves history and she does amazing craft work.....

Rose of: http://ausrose.blogspot.com/ .....Visiting the UK at the mo, does some great miniatures & dollhouses & family history....

Mandie of: http://lifeinthecraftlanewithmandie.blogspot.com/ ..... To say Thank You for all her wonderful graphics....

Linda of: http://behindmyreddoor.blogspot.com/ ...... Interesting blog with some great prim....

Jill of: http://thefruitofherhandstudio.blogspot.com/ ..... Great craft tutorials....

Dawn of: http://backdoorprimitives.blogspot.com/ ..... Great prim stuff.....

Becky of: http://extremeprimitives.blogspot.com/ ..... Amazing prim designs.....

Do pay a visit to these great blogs...........

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But the Hovel would not be the place it is without the help of my personal assistant......lol....oh you won’t know who he is. May I introduce you to Mr Darcy (aka as Old Man)......

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Handsome chap who came to live with us in May 2002,

along with his sister Phoenix (who you will meet another time).......

He was in a pitiful state when we rescued him

but soon thrived under our care

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Mr Darcy usually appears 'not to be on this planet', by which I mean he often sits and daydreams and for most part doesn’t appear to be the brightest of cats.....my theory is that he is actually in contact with the Mother Ship while in this dreamlike state (you’ve seen the film ‘Cats & Dogs’!!!!!) and yep I know you’re thinking this woman’s lost the plot.....not quite but animals do that to you..... But don’t be fooled by the image I’ve portrayed of Mr Darcy, he’s quite the Killer Cat and often gets grounded...hehe........And like most cats he has his favourite places for sleeping but for some reason he has chosen to sleep on my computer desk for the last three nights....right next to me.....

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That’s fine you may say and I don’t mind but it can be a tad awkward when he gradually works his way across the keyboard.....

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'My it's exhausting catching mice'

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That is until I give up trying to play a game of freecell. I usually end my time on the computer with this game to wind down. Mr Darcy doesn’t seem so keen on the game though because earlier when I was doing some family history he stayed to his ‘side’ of the desk........

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And this is how I left him when I went to bed Tuesday night............which is where I should be now because I’m feeling pretty tired at the mo, it’s about 2.30 am on Thursday morning....... So until next time take care....lol.......

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What Is A Cat?

Gentle eyes that see so much, that have the quiet touch.

Purrs to signal "all is well"and show more love than words can tell.

Graceful movements touched with pride, a calming presence by our side.

A friendship that will last and grow,

small wonder why we love them so.

Author Unknown

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