Monday 31 August 2015

Shipwrecks and Cliffs











We had a much needed day off yesterday so thought it would be nice to take a walk along the beach.....what was I thinking?  It was Bank Holiday Monday in Cornwall so despite the weather not being brilliant the car parks by the beaches were packed.  Plan B was put in place,  I found a quiet little carpark on the cliffs between Portreath and Godrevy where we took a walk along the coastal path.










It's good to see the gulls in their natural habitat 










As you can see the views are stunning along the coast and despite it being windy it was warm, even hot when the path took us through areas of high growth.  The heather and gorse looked stunning against the blue of the sea and sky.  As we neared Hell's Mouth, a well known cove, we were reminded of how deadly the sea could be.  The wreck of the Secil Japan still lies at the bottom of the cliffs.  On a stormy night in 1989 it lost it's steering and was pushed onto the rocks by the huge seas.  On board were 16 terrified Korean sailors who gathered on the deck hoping for rescue.  An incredibly brave RAF helicopter crew battled against nature to airlift 15 of the men off the stricken ship one by one.  Tragically one of them fell from the strop and was taken by the sea.  We went to see the wreck a few days later, it was a sad sight to see.


You can see the shipwreck lying in the cove





After a stop at Hell's Mouth for a cup of tea we started on our way back along the path.  There are areas where the path has been diverted away from the cliffs because of the danger of cliff falls.  Wooden barriers make it clear that you do not go beyond, but of course you always get the people who don't realise the danger.   We passed a group who stepped over the barrier to have a picnic on the edge of the cliff.  If they were local there is no way they would be sitting there, we all remember when this happened just a few feet from where they were sitting!





I hope you had a great weekend,

Chickpea xx

34 comments:

  1. The weather looked a lot better your way than it did mine - it just rained all day here! Though it was warm and not windy for a change (I hate wind!) and I went for a lovely walk anyway!

    Gorgeous views of the sea.

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    1. We were lucky, it was a lovely day to get out for a walk

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  2. Your walking place is so beautiful, it is so sad that such a terrible accident would take place in such a beautiful spot. It makes for mixed emotions I imagine. xx

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    1. Thank you Amy, the South West Coastal Path is a real gem. There are shipwrecks all around the coast reminds us of how dangerous the sea can be.

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  3. Such stunning country! We have also seen people ignoring signs warning of potential cliff falls, I can only suppose some folk have a death wish!

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    1. They often think they are standing on solid ground when it may be a couple of feet with nothing underneath, crazy to ignore the signs!

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  4. So beautiful and the shipwreck is amazing !

    cheers, parsnip

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  5. Stunning photos, what camera do you use? Lovely picture of the Golden Rod, we also found some growing this week.

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    1. It's a Sony Cyber Shot Anne, very compact so fits in my pocket but with a great zoom. I wandered what the plant was, very pretty poking up through the gorse and heather.

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  6. It s the same at Beachy Head in Eastbourne . We are amazed and terrified when we see how close people get to the edge of the cliffs.
    Your photos are amazing. Such a sad story about the shipwreck.

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    1. I get dizzy if I stand close to the edge!!

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  7. The weather looks so much better where you are, here on the East Coast it rained all day long, quite torrential at times. Great photos, amazing unless you live at a place how ignorant people are of the dangers.

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  8. Cornwall is a beautiful place, your photos are always so professional.

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    1. It is, I feel very lucky to live here :) Thank you, I just point and shoot and hope something comes out!

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  9. Thank you for taking us on your scenic walk. Cornwall is a beautiful place and it looks like you had good weather. I love these wild places but have great respect for them. We were in Cornwall this weekend and I'm amazed at how casually people treat the incoming tide and, as you say, cliff edges. That video is very sobering, isn't it?
    Cathy x

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    1. My pleasure :) When I was younger I used to leave it to the last minute before leaving the coves, and scramble up and down the cliffs like a goat, but I did know the places like the back of my hands. I wouldn't take risks somewhere I didn't know.

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  10. The quality of light in Cornwall is something else. Fantastic footage of the cliff falling. I love the scream- we can't resist a good scream even when we're not in any danger can we?! Crazy to sit so close to the edge.

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  11. Looks like a glorious walk even with the sad connotations. Look at that weather too! It's been rain rain rain here. Have fun. x

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  12. Much better spot for you to walk, lovely photo's

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    1. The cafe was busy but apart from that, hardly saw a soul.....bliss :)

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  13. Great views on a brilliant day! Ship wrecks are tragic aren't they? I am glad to hear they were able to save so many of the crewmen! I prefer my picnics on safe, solid ground. Maybe some feel picnics are "adventures" and like to eat "on the edge." Ugh. No thank-you!

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    1. Ha, I agree I like my picnics to be relaxed and safe :)

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  14. Fabulous shots, Cornwall offered me a rare chance to be brave with heights as I ran along the cliff paths out of Boscastle and on to Willapark with its insane 500 foot drop. Normally I'm terrified standing on chairs.

    Did a futurelearn course earlier in the summer about shipwrecks!

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    1. I think my running along cliff top days are over, a nice walk is more my thing these days :)

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  15. Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos, it's all so gorgeous!! I have just discovered your blog and it is such a wonderful place :) Hugs ♥ Vicky ♥

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  16. You always get some stupid people who are incapable of taking notice of signs. It looks like you had a splendid walk xx

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  17. Such a beautiful coastline. Thank you for sharing your pictures xxxx

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  18. great pics as always, thanks for sharing. x

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  19. Beautiful colours and textures - thanks for taking us on your walk!

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