That's no moon

 Hello m' spokey dokeys,

Well I'm feeling muscles on muscles after today.  The muggy, morning mizzle didn't stop me joining my folks on one of their Devoran to Twelveheads, Bissoe bike rides. You can tell I'm out of practice as I'm missing my helmet, lycra pants and sweat bands. Although I had a token 'exercise jacket' on, I felt a splash of fluorescent yellow was needed. So I made an impromptu shower cap from a waterproof bag cover... and suddenly looked like an authentic cycling tw*t.

Fashion faux pas by Carnon Viaduct 

Just look at that triumphant viaduct in the background! Part of the Truro to Falmouth Maritime railway line, the original granite Brunel pillars were simply left in situ when the new one was built. You can read more about Brunel's relics in a previous post here.  (I also spot that Mike has posted about a great walk by the Luxulyan Viaduct, over in China Clay country here)

Why people choose to go and sit all day long on a golden sandy beach is beyond me!!! Especially when they could be visiting one of Cornwall's 'Spoil Tips'. Here's a fine example of a tin mining waste mound between Bissoe and Twelve Heads. The extraordinarily high levels of contamination (mostly arsenic) mean no plants grow on it. 

The water lilies appear happy, but no fish swim in these waters -

A romantic view of the local cement works -

"So what's the main reason to cycle this route?" I hear you ask. Apart from the obvious engineering appreciation and mining waste marvels: Pete's Pasties in Bissoe, of course! Most cyclists go straight from the remains of the old Arsenic Factory and cross down the road to the Bissoe Cycle hire cafe. 

But a short way up the hill is a garage. Tucked behind that a hairdressers and hiding: a tiny, tiny pasty shop. If you are lucky, two scabby horses in the triangular field will come and nibble your ear, whilst you protect your Cornish Pasty and cup of tea. 

 

Above is the pretty white washed Methodist Chapel that can be found in the funny named hamlet of Twelveheads. The name stems from the twelve headed machines that were used to crush mineral ore.

There is also a cafe there, a nice little natural play park and a picnic area. 

Anyhow, less of this energetic cycling business and back to the garden. 

One of my little helpers has been picking all the Sweet Williams she can find this week -

I have been enjoying seeing blogger Ellie's beautiful roses . For years I wasn't really fussed by roses, until that is, I caught a sniff of this fizzy, sherberty, intoxicating rose called 'Scentimental'. It can be found for free sniffing in Newquay's council owned Trenance Garden . This is one of just three roses I now have at Long Mizzle -

Rosa 'Scentimental'

The Aeonium 'Zwarktops' has been enjoying the afternoon sun -

 
The Californian Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are getting a bit unruly and will be having a trim this weekend. I have lots of red scented carnations grown from seed waiting to go in.


The sunflowers are finally in the ground. Generic yellow ones in the front -

'Red Giant' and 'Evening Sun' in the back by the Dahlia bed -

 
Below: Cornflower 'Black Ball'  
(Centaurea cyanus)

Look what I found on a 10 pm night patrol -


I'll leave you with something nicer to dream about. These mysterious moon shots were taken last night -

 

I hope that you are keeping well. 

Please let me know if you have stopped by and do send gossip.

Lulu xXx


Thank you for visiting!

Most recent posts can be found here -

https://longmizzle.blogspot.com/

Comments

  1. Elderberry-Rob25 June 2021 at 23:27

    Hello Mrs Bespoked, I liked your cycling trip - especially as I can't ride a bike, so can take a virtual tour with you: I would sunbathe on that arsenic mountain, looks perfect, probably no buzzy insects up there to bother me.. I would visit the pasty shop for the horses, I bet their beady little eyes were on your pasty. Your garden holds so much beauty (and hard work) so I am skulking off now, jealous, to my early morning cuppa in chair, on the lawn that looks like a lunar landscape due to Mollie cat marking it to death with wee... not even the sturdiest weeds from woodland will survive her acidic attacks - she's trying to recreate your arsenic mountain. I like those bushy looking scentimentals, how showy and great name - they remind me of those swimming caps we wore in the 7os that were covered in flower petals :) I love sweet william - I bet you have to restrain those happy helpers from picking some of your rarer blooms? and how are those fairies doing? I think the the fairies and somebody smoking a spliff must have had something to do with that strange looking moon (smoke going right across your lovely moon shot).

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    1. Lulu30 June 2021 at 02:27

      Hello Betty, don't worry about your garden, I am reliable informed from a top garden designer that the 'arsenic mountain' look is going to be very in vogue next year. Sadly, this was the only time I've been to that Bissoe pasty shop, where the horses haven't been there. I missed them coming up to say hello and trying to swipe some cake. Haha, yes the roses do look like frilly swim caps. The little 'helpers' and their friends picked all my peony buds off so I only had one flower! Alas, we haven't had any recent fairy sightings, but judging by the smells, spliff smoking has been taking place in the local vicinity. Lulu xXx

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  2. Ellie Foster26 June 2021 at 00:44

    I love the moon shots - very mysterious. Thanks for the shout out too. My roses are attempting world domination this year - they seem to have grown extra tall and are flowering profusely at the moment. A machete (or secateurs, really) will be needed in order to edge my way down the path. Deadheading is also on the to do list, but I really enjoy that.
    Your cycling headgear made me laugh!
    Have a lovely gardening (and/or revising) weekend and watch out for those marauding snails!
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    Replies
    1. Lulu30 June 2021 at 02:31

      Thank you Ellie & you're welcome. It is joyous seeing your roses going for it. I think deadheading can be quite therapeutic, as is dressing as Rambo. I forgot to say in my post I did my x2 exams so no more revising for me!!! (well, until the next lot :0) ....ahh, sigh of relief. I can get stuck into some hands on garden jobs now. The house jobs will just have to wait. Lulu xXx

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  3. Winter Peach Photography26 June 2021 at 02:02

    Hi Lulu, Great post, as ever. Loved seeing your cycling route and the shower cap amused me greatly. There are plenty of middle aged men in Lycra in these parts, but I think the competitive sport element for some is more about who has the most expensive carbon fibre bike! I keep meaning to dig my bike out again before the summer retreats. The levels of arsenic sound terrifying but those pond lilies must be bullet-proof. Gorgeous garden pics - love that rose! xx

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    1. Lulu30 June 2021 at 03:05

      Thank you Claire :) Can't beat a shower cap for a bit of instant style jus ;) Oh dear, those cyclists sound all gear, no go :0 My dear brother has a tendency to buy all the top hobby kit, but then not use it at all! My philosophy on this: if want to do something, do it...then work out how much you actually like it, or how much time you can dedicate to it, before investing further. But then I suppose if we all thought like this, amazing Gumtree and carboot sale bargains would not exist! It is truly amazing that those pond lilies do so well with all the arsenic. Hope you are having a grand week, Lulu xXx

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  4. Mike Perry26 June 2021 at 05:18

    Gosh, haven't been on a bike for many a year - and certainly never dressed in Lycra! Your post does make me think I'm missing out somewhat. I think my last cycle ride was on the Camel Trail heading towards Padstow. Thanks for the mention in your post. All good wishes and thanks for such an interesting post ~ Mike.

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    1. Lulu30 June 2021 at 03:10

      That disappoints me a little Mike that you've never tried Lycra ;) The Camel Trail's a great one, nice and flat for the kids. We used to do that one starting from Padstow, up to Wadebridge, then halfway up to Bodmin (never did the whole lot - as it seemed to get quite muddy and the packed lunch and tea break would be calling). Thank you for stopping by and hope you have a great week. Lulu xXx

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  5. bahnwärterin26 June 2021 at 13:11

    you know how to ride a bike in style..... ;-DDD
    interesting tour around your home - but i miss a pic of the delicious pasty!
    sweet shot of your little one with sparkles and flowers - and you have some pretty snails at long mizzle. the moon looks magnificent!
    whats about the burried in but empty pots? is it for watering???
    xxxxx

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    Replies
    1. Lulu30 June 2021 at 03:14

      Thank you Beate, how kind of you :0 :) The delicious pasty was consumed far too quickly to get any pictures of it! The little one does like her sparkles. I feel a little bad for those snails now, as they do get lobbed into the wilderness and they are actually quite pretty, unlike slugs!!! Yes, the pots are for watering as that stretch gets very dry in summer and it is in a rain shadow. I am going to give them the best liquid fertiliser! Lulu xXx

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  6. Devon Mum27 June 2021 at 10:01

    Your roses and garden in general look great - I planted a climbing rose back in March in memory of my Mum and it currently has thirty buds so hopefully pretty soon it will be a mass of colour.
    Cornish Pasty - yum, can't beat one. Always try and fit in one or two when down in Cornwall on holiday.

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    1. Lulu30 June 2021 at 03:19

      Thank you :) It is lovely that you're growing a rose in memory of your mum. Thirty buds in its first year!...sounds like it's going to be an absolute beauty. You shall have to share it on your blog when it flowers. You know, when I lived up in Yorkshire I used to crave Cornish Pasties and had no way of getting them. Now you can simply order frozen ones online. If only they did that back then. You are very wise to grab one or two when in these parts. Lulu xXx

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  7. Cherie27 June 2021 at 11:02

    Oh you flamboyantly stylish cyclist you :-) That rose sounds wonderful. I think I need to make room for a few more roses.

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    1. Lulu30 June 2021 at 03:22

      Yes Cherie, I don't like to blow my own trumpet, but I can safely say I was the most stylish cyclist on the Bissoe Trail that day. The 'Scentimental' rose just smells incredible, I could sniff it all day long. My folks gifted it to me one Christmas and it arrived bareroot. Lulu xXx

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  8. Vix28 June 2021 at 00:14

    I love your authentic cycling tw*t outfit! I lost my ability to cycle when I had my hip replaced, I keep falling off!
    That moon shot is fabulous and those botton couple of photos look like some exotic location in the Caribbean.
    Your little helper looks liek she's all ready for Glastonbury in her shimmery sequins! xxx

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    1. Lulu30 June 2021 at 03:27

      Someone should start up a authentic cycling tw*t company online, I think they'd be onto a winner Vix! :0 :) Shame about the bike balance... stabilizers??? No seriously, I have heard cycling becomes tricky after hip work. But then I don't think you dress remotely like a tw*t anyhow, so you wouldn't be allowed on the trail. It feels a bit like the Carribean this week, with this lovely warm weather we're having. We shall have out own little festival in the garden. Lulu xXx

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  9. The Small Fabric Of My Life28 June 2021 at 11:44

    Those moon shots are fabulous Lulu. I love any scented flowers and have bought three lots of roses this year. Two for our garden and one for our son and his wife and their new daughter. I got it named after her, it's called Heidi Rose. X

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    1. Lulu30 June 2021 at 03:31

      Thank you Jane: ) It's not a posh camera, but I did get it on a tripod which greatly helped. I just love the name of your new little granddaughter. Hopefully the rose will be as beautiful as she is! Big congratulations m' luverlie , Lulu xXx

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