An afternoon's stroll

The hot spell of weather has resulted in very few stitches being added to Elizabeth Cox. My afternoons have been spent quilting in my sewing studio where a refreshing breeze blows in from the sea and my evenings walking Poppy and Blue when it is cooler.

Today was spent with the ladies from Gunwalloe W.I walking a section of the South West Coastal Path followed by a delicious cream team courtesy of Pam and Nick in the wonderful setting of Penaire Barton.

A short walk along a driveway and then through a private gate down to their beach overlooking the sea to St Anthony's Lighthouse and the entrance to the Fal and Helford.

We then took the coastal path to Nare Point.

The National Coastwatch Institution have a station here operated and manned by volunteers. These stations play an important role in protecting and preserving life at sea around the UK coastline.

Whilst the Coastguard Stations have high technology and sophisticated systems a computer cannot spot a distress flare or an overturned boat or a yachtsman or fisherman in trouble. Other vulnerable activities like diving, wind surfing and canoeing are made safe with the visual surveillance these stations provide.

The watchkeepers provide the eyes and ears along the coast , monitoring radio channels and providing a listening watch in poor visibility.

We were shown some of the duties they perform. 

 Just off Nare Point is The Manacles. A particularly dangerous area for pleasure boats and commercial shipping. There are many wrecks here so it is also a popular area with divers. The Coast Watch Station plays a vital role in monitoring this area.

Back out into the sunshine and the beauty of the path. A climb up to the headland

and a quick look back to the Coast Watch Station 

 before rounding the headland.

Porthoustock can be spotted in the distance. This small hamlet is dominated by a large concrete stone mill that was once used to crush stone which was then transported away by sea.

 Fishing boats operate from the shingle beach and it is a great place to buy fresh lobsters and crabs.

This area is designated "An Area of Outstanding Beauty".



Some agility was required to climb over the stone walls.

 We soon found ourselves back at base where we enjoyed exploring the beautiful gardens.

There is nothing quite so "English" as a cream tea which was enjoyed in the sunshine

looking out to sea

and for those requiring some shade from the beautiful conservatory.

A big THANK YOU to Dot for organising the afternoon and to Pam and Nick for their hospitality.

A Gift for Alfie

Hot off the sewing machine today is a quilt for a friend's grandson - Alfie.

I thought as this was being quilted whilst the World Cup was on that it ought to have a football theme.

The Bernstein Bears on the front are also playing football in some of the squares (this is the back).

The wonderful weather is continuing and this is the sight that greeted me this morning. 

This afternoon, as I was hand stitching the binding on the quilt in the shade of the verandah the little chicks decided to fly the nest. This one landed right by me and watched me for ages before it got its bearings and flew off.

Ray was back on the river yesterday and rather than go out to sea pottered around on a rib with his friends Tony and John - Three Men in a Boat !!!

We are just waiting for the day to cool a little and then we are off out for an evening walk along the coast path. Until next time ............

Elizabeth Cox and a day on the water

Elizabeth Cox - The Scarlet Letter

Elizabeth Cox by the Scarlet Letter is underway. Lots of different stitches in this one. I changed the flowers to stem and bullion rather than the specified long and short stitches and am happy with the results.

The border flowers are stitched as charted other than the little center diamonds which vary between flowers but I have kept them identical.

Elizabeth Cox - The Scarlet Letter

I have left the top section blank for the moment as I will probably change the dedication to something meaningful to me.

Elizabeth Cox - The Scarlet Letter

 Today has been spent sailing on a friend's boat which is moored on the Helford River.

Frenchman's Creek made famous by Daphne Du Maurier is on this river.

We took a rib to the boat which is on a swing mooring then headed out to sea.

We sailed across to the Lighthouse at St Anthony's Head .

We then entered the Fal and sailed up to Trelisske where we dropped anchor.

We passed Mylor Marina where we keep our boat the Hey Ho

The river was quiet as it is a Monday and everyone we passed was in relaxed mode.

It was so nice to chill and watch the world go by.

We had a delicious lunch on board, food always tastes nicer at sea then we headed back to the Helford.

 Passing St Mawes and its castle guarding the entrance to the Fal.

This boat had run into problems and was being towed to safety.

I think an early night is called for after our day on the water.

A finish - Ruthy Rogers

Ruthy came back from the framers today. Now to decide where to hang her.

She was a fun project. I made some changes here and there, the most noticable being the strawberries which I satin stitched.

We are having some lovely weather at Poldhu Cove.

Although this photo was taken from the next cove along.

The grass is growing and the flowers are blooming.

 I just love this time of year and love is certainly in the air.

I started Elizabeth Cox today and hope to post as soon as I have a little bit to show.

Enjoy the summer. 

A walk in June

I have just put the last of the stem stitches into Ruthy. There were an awful lot of them to stitch. Now to the border and then the dedication.

The weather has been glorious here and we have been enjoying being outside and have taken lots of walks. These days we have to go at Poppy's pace which has slowed considerably and let her have rest stops.

Here she is with Ray.

As we walk the coast paths we can see evidence of erosion from the winter's storms.

The life guard station suffered badly this winter and is unable to open.

A long steep walk up the other side of Polurrian Cove and time for a rest at a perfectly placed bench to admire the view.

The climb is not over yet.

 

You can just make out our Cove in the far distance. We have already covered quite a distance.

There is so much colour to be seen.

Time for another rest stop and to enjoy the view of the island.

Time to turn inland towards the village.

The newly sheared llamas watch us pass.

Such an English sight - cricketers warming up for a match.

A short cut through the church yard.

Then along Meres Valley passing one of our favourite gardens.

Valerian is everywhere even though it is considered a weed by some.

A spinney offers us a brief spell of shade.

You have to be agile to get back out the other end.

Across a newly mown field.

There is so much greenery around

and the hedgerows are alive. We found lots of caterpillar balls.

Our cove was a welcome sight.

and then into our garden and home.