The exotics of an early morning seaside walk

These are known as the Hotentot Figs (I think from S.Africa) they grow in abundance near Gyllynvase. Another German Cruise ship heads into port at 7.30.am; 3rd this week. A seagull observes the scene like a traffic warden.

We had a lovely cliff walk from Swanpool to Maenporth

We thought this was a beautiful beetle and the foxgloves were as good as any at Chelsea flower show. Such a grey day for a walk but the flowers and creatures more than made up for the dull weather, we felt sorry for the people on the boat trip. A passerby told us that Adders sun themselves on hot days along this path! Hope I can catch a snap of one someday.

Matthew's coat stand on location!

Matt is getting his porfolio up together for his forthcoming Degree Show at Tremough for Falmouth Art College (this is a photo he is not using of his coat stand). I really like this piece. It has such an organic tree like sense and the fact it has an easy reach 'branch' for shorter people to use I think will be popular with families. We have tested this in my busy hall way for acouple of months; even with loads of coats on it was always stable. He has put a natural twig on at right angles to contrast & it holds umbrellas very well too. Matt likes to call this coat stand " Twiglet "

they don't have these in London

These are Echieums. I think that's how it is spelt say Eck-key-um. They grow like weeds in Cornwall! This takes 3 years only then they flower, fall over and die in the autumn. Owen Bunza Rabbit, hiding out of the wind today it is quite fierce one of those Echieums has fallen over already it was more than 15ft tall. Too big for the compost bin!

Spring into Summer walk

The Church at Penryn called after a Cornish Celtic saint, St Gluvias. Wild stunning Orchids were often along the path. Looking back over to Falmouth you can just make out the famous Greenbank Hotel Hidden creeks with intriguing house boats or should I say garden boat in this case, we saw the owner later on with a big bag of compost in a dinghy he was taking back to his boat.

We had a lovely stroll on the otherside of the river today, along a beautiful flower strewn way. The Blackthorn glory has given way to the summery frivolity of Cow Parsley and Bluebells on banks and hedgerows. For the unwary the brazen Buttercup is happy to become entangled with common Stinging Nettle. They are growing very fast now at hand level.

Kennall Vale, Ponsanooth,near Falmouth

This a fantastic place that Christopher found quite by accident last year. Such a beautiful valley so close to Falmouth less than 10 mins away. Full of the most glorious woodland with streams, many waterfalls and wonderful spring flowers. Hard to imagine it in its heyday full of the industrial activity of the Kennall Valley Gunpowder Mills. All the streams & leats were to power a multitude of watermills (the ruins are still there) the mines of Cornwall were dependent on this product. www.cornish-mining.org.uk/sites/knnllvlly.htm It is now a Cornish Wildlife Reserve, we had a marvelous family sunday afternoon ramble here. Although the rush and commotion of falling water is very loud the atmosphere is full of tranquil peace and delight.