A trail of nature and Brunel's relics

 Hello m' early springy pops,

 

In a momentary lull of rain this week, a couple of garden tasks were tackled (full details in next post). This, in addition to an epic welly walk, has ensured we've had a good dose of fresh air and vitamin D.

Making the most of our once-daily-allowed-exercise-outing, we picked a sunny afternoon to follow  Penryn's Nature Trail. It is an absolute gem of a walk and we had tremendous fun, even if we did get caught in a couple of hailstone storms. 

The start of the trail is best experienced by finding the hidden 'ope' (narrow alleyway) between two historic Penryn town houses on St Thomas Street. Lovely as it is, we cheated and skipped this section by joining the trail from behind the Methodist church. 

 
At this time of year wellies are essential, and even then the eldest sprog managed to get a boot stuck in the mud, and landed sock down whilst we cackled with laughter. Luckily I always carry spare socks, pants & leggings in my trusty back pack, in addition to plasters, baby wipes, hand gel, water and a whole array of survival supplies.
 

At one point two huge St Bernard dogs came bounding up to us, promptly followed by their owner. We asked the owner if they ever went for a dip in the water and he explained they loved to, but his wife would tell him off if they did it today! Those happy dogs looked in their element. We watched them, from a distance, playing by the edge of the stream, anticipating a fat fuzzied belly flop at any moment.

The nature trail leads up from Glasney creek and follows College Stream up through the Glasney Valley, towards the magnificent College Wood Viaduct, with the only sound being that of birds and a train passing every 15 minutes. 

For keen walkers, and not so little legs, the trail can be extended further by heading to College Reservoir and the beautiful Argal Reservoir beyond that. In normal times there's the wonderful 'Wild Vibes' waterside cafe at Argal, serving the best vegan breakfasts (I'm not even vegan, but it's delicious) and coffee.

 In medieval times, the towns folk would fish for trout in the stream, and there have been fish sightings in recent years. Bat walks are popular now, with several known bat species in the area, one being rare.

Ahhh, I do love a good sludgy swamp!


 Part of the Maritime Line that joins Falmouth to Truro - this particular section is one single train track. We waved to a couple of trains, but they appeared to be empty.


 Bright yellow hazel catkins -

Today's working viaduct was built by the Great Western Railway in 1934, immediately alongside the original, Grade II listed Brunel structure, built by The Cornwall Railway in 1863. When the original wooden topped viaduct was decommissioned ( it was deemed to be too high maintenance and was the last in Cornwall to be replaced), the granite pillars were left in situ. 

Similar looming, original Brunel pillars can also be spotted elsewhere in Cornwall. Carnon Viaduct, a short way along the line is a good example, and can be viewed from Grenna Lane carpark. The Bissoe Trail, which I've briefly mentioned before,  passes beneath it.

Although viaducts are a phenomenal feat of engineering, it is always slightly unnerving to stand under one and look up. When I used to live up't Yorkshire way and would regularly travel to Manchester, I always held my breath as I passed under the Stockport viaduct on the M60 Motorway, but always felt at home once I was on the other side.

 Beyond the arches of  Penryn's Viaduct, the trail paths are narrower, wilder and had turned into running streams the day we visited ...

Who needs Disneyland when you have a tyre swing and trees to climb?!



Our venture into the muddy wilds rewarded us with these Yuckle sightings. We think this is Turkey Tail fungi (Trametes versicolor) -


 And maybe this too, although there is a tar like staining or decomposition on this one (???) -


Sporadically dotted about the forest floor, lots of little Scarlet Elf Cups (Sarcoscypha coccinea) -

Found fungi and an old rusty heart! Both would have been perfect for my last welly walk post, Heart Shaped Fungi  !


Over on Mike's Cornwall blog, it appears his wife is super good at finding certain treasures (well worth checking out).  

In the words of that wise, ancient man Socrates - 'Look and you will find it - what is unsought will go undetected'.


That's all for today folks. Thank you so much for stopping by.

Have you found anything you've been specially hunting for recently?

Have you ever come across any Brunel relics or do you happen to live near a viaduct? (Apparently there are over 171 in the UK alone... there are seriously nerdy, specialist websites dedicated to them!) 

 

Lulu xXx

(p.s. Special hello to Catmac, whom I know may still be having t'internet and Google login issues...Hoping you are staying naughty and well and I look forward to seeing you back when the technology allows it! x )



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Comments

  1. The Small Fabric Of My Life20 February 2021 at 01:50

    Thank you Lulu for that lovely walk.
    I grew up in Manchester and remember the Stockport viaduct. My grandma had a friend who lived in Glossop and we always had to change our bus in Stockport.
    When I drive over the motorway by the Trafford Centre now in Manchester I always gold my breath as the road seems to soar up into the sky.
    When I was training to be a yoga teacher I trained in Stockport and passed that soaring piece of motorway every weekend.
    Funny how the little things can take you back.
    I hope you have a wonderful weekend and look forward to your next post. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lulu21 February 2021 at 02:19

      Hello Jane, ahhh, I do miss the red bricks of Manchester. Our old cat, Deidre Rachid, is living with friends up't snowy Glossop way. That must have been a fun bus ride, as it's ever so windy and hilly up there. I know the bit of motorway you refer to by the Trafford Centre. The road really does soar up into the sky like a rollercoaster! Hope you're having a fab birthday weekend. Lulu xXx

      Delete
  2. SAM20 February 2021 at 07:25

    I loved coming on your walk with you. I appreciate that people are trying to make the most of the time you can be out and about. We likely won't see green for at least 8 weeks, probably longer, so I'll take virtual green walks!.

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    Replies
    1. Lulu21 February 2021 at 02:27

      Thank you Sam! Green is one thing we're not short on in these parts. I would swap a bit of green for your snow, so you could get out for a walk and my kids could have some snowy fun in the garden (Cornish kids flip out at the slightest sniff or tiny sprinkle of snow!). Having lived up't north, I know how much a hindrance it can be though. Take care, Lulu xXx

      Delete
  3. Mike Perry20 February 2021 at 07:49

    Hello LuLu and thanks for the mention.
    Your walk looks so similar to one we often travel in Gover Valley, St.Austell. Has the same railway viaduct with the original stumps - incredible to think that they were once topped with wood framework for the trains.
    Oh, and when we did our walk I also took a photo of Scarlet Elf Cups!
    All good wishes ~ Mike.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lulu21 February 2021 at 02:34

      Hello Mike, you're welcome :) Ah yes, I can see a Gover Valley viaduct post on your blog, very similar indeed! I found a fantastic picture of the wooden frame that used to sit on the top of the original stumps, but I'm not sure how the copyright of old images works. Very interesting, and not quite what I expected. Before this year, I didn't even know Scarlet Elf Cup existed! Glad the elves are busy where you are too. Lulu xXx

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  4. Jules21 February 2021 at 00:20

    Such a beautiful walk. I am always fascinated by viaducts. Unfortunately the ones near me are too far to travel to just now. Fingers crossed we will be permitted to go farther afield very soon, and when we do I will also have my trusty backpack containing all necessary spare items. I still have Lily's muslin cloths but these are now used to dry feet following an impromptu paddle. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lulu21 February 2021 at 02:40

      Hello Jules, so good to hear you have a trusty backpack too! I feel lost without one. It is a weird felling going outside the house without kids, or a backpack. I even have extra zip bags within the bag, so everything is kept tidy. One can never have enough compartments or pockets. Impromptu paddles are the best!!! Stay safe and keep viaduct loving, Lulu xXx

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  5. bahnwärterin21 February 2021 at 01:05

    what a gorgeous wild path along the little river!
    who needs flying across the world if one has such beautiful nature at the doorsteps!
    we are kinda train/railroad nerds - living in the railroad keepers house and loving to use a train for traveling.... so old viaducts are places of interest for us :-D this one looks awesome!
    stay safe! xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lulu21 February 2021 at 02:57

    Exactly my thoughts Beate! Mud + fresh air = happy.

    Your railroad keepers house is stunning and must have such interesting history attached to it. I think I remember you saying your family were train drivers (?).

    I fear I may have unleashed my inner train nerd. I come from a family line of train engineers - who all lived and worked in 'Vulcan Village' (near Warrington), built around the Vulcan Foundry train works. The one relative that escaped the village headed for London... only to lecture on trains. Take care Beate, Lulu xXx

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    Replies
    1. bahnwärterin23 February 2021 at 08:59

      :-D
      cool family of yours!
      dad & grandpa were train drivers..... spend a good part of my childhood at the grandparents house on the grounds of a huge railway station...... even had some rides on a lokomotive......
      i always say: as long as trains go the world is o.k.

      Delete
  7. Elderberry-Rob21 February 2021 at 07:14

    I really enjoyed your post:) I don't see much fungi on my walks lately and I try really hard and long to explore further afield too (after lockdown of course) ... my brother is moving to Truro so, who knows, if I visit I might be walking the same path as you some day :)

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    Replies
    1. Lulu21 February 2021 at 14:33

      Thank you Betty. How exciting that your brother is moving to Truro, or 'the brights lights' as we jokingly call it. It may be Cornwall's only city, in that it has an incredible Cathedral, but it has a distinct local town feel about it. The train ride between Truro and Falmouth is great, brilliant views. And yes, they'll be so many lovely walks and fungi nearby. Lulu xXx

      Delete
  8. Vix21 February 2021 at 11:01

    Nothing gladdens my heart more than some industrial architecture! That bridge is gorgeous, I wouldn't mind that in my back yard. Followimng on from Jane, we used to trade at Stockport's Vintage Village evry month for yeras, I know that viaduct really well!
    I 'm not adverse to a bit of sludge either, I'd be there in my wellies making a heck of a mess with your little 'uns.
    That rainbow photo is a masterpiece. Have a crcking week! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lulu21 February 2021 at 14:49

      It would make a pretty good back yard feature Vix! You should propose it for Monty Don's next 'Big Dreams Small Spaces' series.

      If I'd known you, Jon and Kinky Melon were at Stockport, I would have stopped by every month when I drove through visiting family! Growing up, we only seemed to go there when we needed new shoes and later, to the cinema complex (only to get into trouble because some films went on for hours past our curfew e.g. Michael Mann's 'Heat'). Like the city centre of Manchester, Stockport has probably changed a lot since then and I probably wouldn't recognize it, bar the viaduct. Have a lovely week, Lulu xXx

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  9. Flowerpot25 February 2021 at 01:49

    I know that walk well, Lulu! Tis very muddy but many joys along the way! Enjoy X

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    Replies
    1. Lulu2 March 2021 at 12:04

      Hello Sue, I wondered if you had maybe walked it with Lainey. We saw a fair few happy dogs. The mud just makes it more fun! Take care, Lulu xXx

      Delete

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