wednesday

Wednesday 13th

Today was the day the golf course could reopen for play under certain circumstances. I got up and ran/walked down to the club but just missed the first people teeing off...(they had reached the wall) but it was good to see the place alive again!

The rest of the day was spent doing various things, like renewing home insurance and arranging my electricity tariff for the next twelve months, and wishing Alastair a Happy Birthday!!!

Then witnessing another glorious sunset!

And then, about 10.30 pm I sat out in the dark and watched the stars and spotted satellites for a while... a lovely way to finish the day wrapped in a duvet!

Tuesday sunset

Tuesday evening sunset was a green flash one, followed by the most amazing hour of colour! 

View through the door 

 And last of all... An hour after the sun had set.. The colours were still magical!

Tuesday

Tuesday

Another chilly night and a beautiful blue sky day... mostly!

I'd put some washing on and after doing some yoga stretches which seem to be helping my joints (I've been doing some most days since last week) I sat out with some coffee.

But a big dark cloud suddenly appeared, but it skirted St Just and moved off towards Sennen!

Today I collected an order from Claire at the fruit and veg shop... including yeast and flour. Difficult to get hold of in some places so I am very lucky.

Claire told me that there is a case of Covid 19 in St Just but I have no details. I guess the Care Home or a worker would be the most likely.

I spent most of the day reading/soduko-ing ... and then got motivated to head down to Cape again. 

It was late afternoon and beautiful though the wind is chill.

Cape was looking good.

...and there were folk swimming in the blue rock pool on the Kenidjack headland!   Brave folk!

The golf course is opening tomorrow for golf ... either playing alone, or in household group or you can play with one other from a different household in a two-ball.

I am hoping to play with Lindsay on Thursday morning and will play alone any other time... being safe and really careful is very important.

Friday to Monday

Monday 11th May

Chilly Sunrise 

My day usually begins with a look through my phone, checking any overnight messages and a check of twitter.

Because of Boris' muddled message on Sunday evening, I put 5-live on the radio... And after half an hour had had enough.

The sun was shining outside and it was chilly with a fresh wind. So I put on my warm walking trousers and with my cosy jacket and usual backpack, headed out. 

The cows and calves were looking very contented. 
I had decided to head for the Crown's Mines at Botallack and how beautiful it was.

As I reached Wheal Owles there was a Red Kite flying above me, I wasn't completely sure it was initially but on the way back there were about 6, two were fighting over something, and then all but one flew off up the coast. They were spectacular!

I saw no one on the walk there and only a handful on the way home.

At the Crown's Mines themselves there was one sole gannet having a very successful time feeding. Another fabulous watch!

On the walk back I diverted to Kenidjack Castle headland looking over to Cape. 

I decided to walk over to Cape and passed this wonderful spread of bluebells - it took me back to Lamorran woods and walks out there when we were young.

Cape was looking superb too!

I enjoyed sharing this with the family and Tassie as I walked - it's good to have your company even if it is at a distance, and I know Francie shares them here too - the sharing makes me happy in these difficult times.

Sunday 10th May

I headed out late morning after our family zoom. The kids were talking about Strava so I downloaded it onto my phone and thought it could map today's walk.

It was another glorious day with hardly a breath of wind and glorious sunshine.

The bluebells continue to be absolutely gorgeous and the colour of the sea is amazing.

I walked down to The Bear's picnic spot where the foxgloves were out too.

 The garlic and bluebells are scattered with buttercups and campion too.

When I got home I was able to see how far I'd walked and the elevation gained... fascinating! 6.59 km and elevation gain of 226 meters...good for the body and  good for the soul to have places like this to walk.

Saturday 9th May

I had a walk down to Cape today, partly to take a photo of Leanne and Andy the golf club owners as it may be that we will be able to play soon... we await Boris' speech tomorrow.

I walked down to Carn Gloose, the tide was low and it was very still.

I love these daisies...

You can see how still the sea was - hardly a breath of wind.

I walked back across the golf course and managed to persuade them to pose for a picture!

 They have stayed amazingly cheerful considering everything that has happened since they bought Cape in the summer.

This is the latest jigsaw!

Friday 8th May

I did some baking today... a white loaf, and then as the oven was hot I made some teacakes (all part of the diet eh!)

No big walks today but up to the Carn for the sunset briefly... it was a lovely one, and I couldn't resist the dandelion!

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Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday

Wednesday dawned cloudy windy and still cold compared to the rest of the UK! The wind was what gave the chill.

I had a quick walk down to the co-op but was indoors the rest of the day although by late afternoon the sun had at last arrived in West Penwith. 

During the afternoon I received a delivery! 

I thought it might be fun... 

And it is!!!

I can't play the piano properly but it is fun to tinker... I have some decent headphones coming too which will help. 

At the moment I use little ones that I find very uncomfortable. 

Thursday

Sunshine again!!!

Hooray. 

I went out about 9.15 I tending to pick up a chicken from the butchers but had forgotten it now opens at 10, so I walked back home coming across these beautiful specimens en route! 

 After lunch I walked down to Cape... It was like a summer's day!

 It was glorious.
I came back via Carn Gloose and across the fields passing the gunera on the way!

 And then, of course, it's the Thursday clap for NHS and carers... And our neighbour Colin did a special walk by!

Tuesday

Tuesday 
Gales and rain made Monday night a noisy one. 
It remained windy, grey and damp all day. So I remained inside today, with a bit of baking, a new jigsaw etc etc. 
I'll probably be out again tomorrow. 
Very, very sadly, 32,000 deaths have now been recorded, and two of the government scientists actually admitted that testing earlier would have brought a better outcome. Hearing government ministers speak without respect and with spin instead of honesty, compounds the awfulness. The dreadful number of NHS and care staff that have died is appalling. I don't really know how to think about these things... they are just too dreadful.

Saturday - Monday

Saturday

Saturday was another lovely day and I fancied a walk over on the far side of the Tregeseal /Nancherrow/Kenidjack  valley.

There was hardly a breath of wind... 

...my layers gradually had to be stripped off - it is lovely to walk in weather like this.

The birds were singing beautifully and there were hardly any folk out.

I walked out to the site of Kenidjack Cliff Castle where the defences are still in evidence.

Cliff castle defences

I sat out on the headland and just enjoyed the beauty of it all.

I did have a bit of fun with the binoculars and took this picture balancing them on me knee and manoeuvring my phone... I was really pleased with the result!

Looking back up the Nancherrow valley

The bluebells were massed on the south facing side of the valley.

It was a lovely walk and I enjoyed sharing the pictures as I walked with the family and Tassie!  

Sunday

Sunday was a different kettle of fish... with fog!

There was nothing to see on the golf course!!!

But I popped in to the club (at their request and keeping social distance rules) and admired the beautifully sorted floor!

Well done to the cape team - it's absolutely brilliant!

Some preparations are being made for the time when we may be able to play again... just trying to get things in place for safe play.

Monday

And so to today - Monday.

I set off for another walk, but later than usual.

I dithered about which way to walk and began by walking down across the play park/football pitch and down on the Cot Valley road.

As I neared the bottom of the hill I headed off left and up past the Youth hostel and up a very steep path.

It's not a well used path and it brings you up on to what were daffodil fields and are now full of potatoes.

Looking back at the Carn

The path had basically been ploughed up and planted so it was quite tough walking but got on ok. 

This part was fine... and I came out on a little road with a Footpath sign pointing the way I had come so that was good.

I walked down the road to thefarm and over another stile with a footpath sign pointing (possibly) diagonally across another newly planted field.

I decided not to risk going straight across but skirted the field... scrambled into another... and then found I had to climb a wall and under barbed wire to get back on to the coast path...so it was not easy!

 I did regain the path and this was the view...

You can see the path wending it's way up the other side of this swale.

The path across the top is edged with bluebells

 and even the foxgloves are coming out.

The spring flowers are an absolute joy.

Crossing the little bridge on the way back... it has all grown up so much it's like a jungle!

and then I'm back home.

It was such a lovely walk, although my foot is a bit sore now after the uneven fields.

Tomorrow is due to rain... so I'll give it a rest.

I finished this jigsaw this afternoon...

I enjoyed doing it so much... a new one for tomorrow.