Portreath Tramroad

Mike has had to go to London today as he has an appointment at Moorfields Eye Hospital early tomorrow morning. Paul very kindly offered to pick him up at 9 o'clock and deliver him to Redruth station to catch the London train and so I've had a whole day to myself with a list of jobs as long as my arm!

After walking Hamish this morning to see his Grandma and report that Mike was on the train and stage one of his journey was going to plan, we came on home to start on some very necessary housework. It was all going splendidly until Hamish decided that he needed a trip out again for another constitutional! Back home to the housework again. A break for lunch then more cleaning!

After hearing that Mike had arrived at Paddington, met up with Jamie and found the Travelodge where they were staying tonight I said the magic word to Hamish - Walkies! It was now just after 4 o'clock but still very sunny so we set off along the Mineral Tramroad ...

It's quite safe for pedestrians although the odd bicycle can be found creeping up behind you but thankfully this cycle ride had finished by the time we were walking it ...

It runs parallel and just a bit higher than the road ...

I don't let Hamish off the lead as there are many tracks and routes down and I'd hate him to get inquisitive and get hit by a car on the road. This is what I call the cyclist's tree ...

I swear it has been left to grow like this so it can catch cyclists who are busy chatting and not concentrating on where they're going!

We then approached the first of the road crossings ...

The road is very obvious now and there's nothing to stop Hamish from zooming off downwards ...
Approaching Bridge and we come to a small bit of the track that is privately owned ...

There were a few daffodils in bloom here ...

Then another gate ...

and another guide to show us which way to go ...

The Bridge Garage was just below us ...

I decided to go as far as the Factory shops and then turn around ...

Looking on over the fields you can see Redruth in the distance ...

So it was back on the same track ...


and we were soon at the road crossing again ...

We passed the seat and I promise I didn't stop for a rest even if my legs were complaining ...

Now we're back to where we started the tramroad ...

Along Sunnyvale Road where they've had to build a nice new wall because the road kept falling down into the field. It looks very smart now!

A short step home to a very welcome cuppa and a big bowl of water for Hamish.

Walk from Portreath

It was such a glorious day and as we had an hour to spare before lunch we took Hamish for a walk from the village to somewhere he'd not been before. We set off along Glenfeadon Terrace and then just after the Fountain Springs Hotel we turned up the hill past the folly ...

and onto the track which leads up to the Feadon Farm Wildlife Centre at Gwel an Mor. The view at the bottom of the track was just wonderful ...

Hamish was let off the lead as it's quite safe ...

and we began to walk up looking down into the grounds of Glenfeadon House (Fountain Springs). When these daffodils bloom it will be a picture ...

On up the hill and there was a little bridge if you wanted to take a different route ...

There were loads of nesting boxes in the trees ...


and at the top there was a pond ...

With Hamish back on his lead as we knew there were animals about we began to make our way on the Public Footpath through the farm. The first complex was the birds of prey ...

and then the deer ...

followed by the poultry ...


There were plenty of signs at the top so that holidaymakers could find their way down to the beach or take a stroll along the tracks ...

It's a great view from the top ...

We carried on a bit further until we reached the path we'd walked last year in bluebell time. It looks as if there will be a new track as there was a planning application and a new sign had been erected leading off towards a new wall ...



We then retraced our steps to the track where I spotted more nest boxes that I'd missed on the way up ...

Hamish looked longingly at another route but we needed to get home for lunch ...

Back along Glenfeadon Terrace and under the Incline ...

Nearly home and Hamish spotted a local cat called Phoebe ...

He was most upset that she ignored him and didn't want to play!

Mike's Birthday

Today is a very special day for Mike. He already has his bus pass and senior railcard but as of today he is entitled to a State pension! Yes he's now 65. The day began with cards and a present from me while he was sitting in bed. Hamish thought it was Christmas all over again and kept pouncing on him trying to grab something to open! After breks we walked round to see Pam and there was another card and pressie for him. He said he wanted a lazy day (no change there then!!) and in the evening we were going over to the Portreath Arms with Jo and Paul for a meal. I had a Pilates class at six o'clock and so rushed home to shower and change and was just about ready when they arrived with more birthday surprises for him. Jo had made him a beautiful card ...

We strolled over to the pub and after perusing the menu and the specials board and having a big discussion - we all chose scampi! Okay so not mega adventurous but very yummy ...

Just as our food arrived my phone rang and it was Simon ringing to wish his Dad a happy birthday ...

We all love our puddies and Jo and I chose a Baileys cheesecake ...

Paul had apple pie and Mike had chocolate lumpy bumpy! It sounds weird but he said it was delicious - no photo I'm afraid. We then adjourned home to Hamish who was really pleased to see us. Happy Birthday Mike xx

Tests in the Harbour

It's been a busy morning in the harbour as we've had a digger and some men from Cornwall Council Environmental Service here. They had a chat about where to dig the holes ...

and then it was all systems go digging holes and taking samples of the mud ...




At the end the digger went around and filled in all the holes ...

We have what is called the 'Portreath Pong' and so various tests are being done to try and work out what is causing it. The water has been tested and there's nothing to suggest it is polluted so now it's the turn of the sand/mud. In the summer the seaweed can smell quite strong and it always makes us smile when children walk past us holding their noses and complaining. It really doesn't bother us too much but I guess we're used to it! Hopefully we'll find out that there are no pollutants in the harbour and so once the results are in I'll blog them.