Up the creek with a whistling kettle

 Hello m' whistling kettles,

It has been many years since I've been down to the precise point where Restronguet Creek becomes the seaward Carrick Roads. The thatched roofed pub and its jetty are still there, busy with beer, ice cream and tourists. The swans are still there on the shaley beach, nipping at the fresh water outlet, gurgling it down by extending their necks. The million pound houses are still there, in prime position. Their boundary signs seem to have got somewhat angrier : 'Private land', 'Do Not Enter', 'Closed Circuit Television in Operation'.. but further along the path... is something altogether more interesting than the ostentatious lawns and oversized cars... 

 A little more off the beaten track...


Hidden behind a wild hedge, wooded and steeply tumbling down to the creek.. glimpses of a wonderful barge boat garden.


 Thank goodness for signs of good old fashioned bohemian living - 

 Even the garden gate sign seems nicer somehow - 'Oh no, not you again'

Fishing ropes, a red whistling kettle and other rusty kitchen pans make hanging containers for plants and tennis balls (dogs' heaven).

Steps edged with orange crocosmia and the odd shell here and there, lead down to the handsome barge boat. If real treasures are to be found, this must surely be the place. Maybe a parrot too?

A bit further along, I couldn't resist having a peep over the hedge. Here I saw a little seated area by a rocky pond, an old clothes wringer (?), many more hanging rusty vessels and chopped logs. 

More plant pots on the roof of the barge -

It is perhaps rude of me to be taking photos of other other people's gardens, but continuing in the same vein ...

Above: Pink cosmos 


My eldest daughter told me off (she's such a goody two shoes!) for taking photos at the upper end of the creek, by the Carnon River in Devoran, but I managed to sneak a couple of shots of the handsome  Edwardian houses and delightful gardens -


Private allotment across the road


 
Fleabane daisies (Erigeon karvinskianus) 
 
[No garden excuse for the one below- just loved the porch windows and church spire! ]

 
Devoran's Chruch of St John and St Petroc is a Victorian construct (completed 1856) made in Early English Style. It was designed by the man whom later went on to win the architectural bid for Truro Cathedral  (J.L Pearson).

 
 Interestingly, I have since discovered that the famous plantsman Thomas Lobb is buried here, along with a memorial for his brother William Lobb. Through their adventures to the Americas (William) and the Far East (Thomas) the Lobb brothers introduced many plants to Victorian England: Escallonia macrantha, Berberis darwinii, Hypercicum hookerarium, Crinodendrum tricuspidaria lancelata.  

 Creek at Devoran

There's one particular story of William shooting cones from monkey puzzle trees (Araucaria araucana) by the snow capped ridges of Chile, so he could send them back to his employer, Veitch of Exeter, whom by 1843 was commercially selling seeds, 100 for £10.
 
Whereas William died in California, Thomas lost a leg to infection and took up residence for many years at a cottage in Bissoe Lane, where he lived until his death, aged 76 (1894).  SOURCE
 
 


Here's our own little tree adventure. Spotted on a walk around Devoran Quay - this tree is growing on top of old industrial bricks - a true tangle of roots and bricks. These must be left over form the days when Devoran's tidal waters bustled with barges transporting ore and copper from the mines over Carnon Downs and Gwenap way.
 

It is hard to tell how long the tree has been there. 
Surely it was already here in the 1970s, as 'Devo' (I'm presuming the band) is etched into its trunk. 
 
(tv still)

It was great this week to see Flowerpot Sue riding horseback and talking Cornish novels on Fern Britton's 'My Cornwall' (Channel 5, available on catchup). There was an interesting segment on Cornwall's mining heritage too. Sue was on at the end and you can read about it here

Finally, I'll leave you with some log drumming ("shocking" the kids said - that's a good thing isn't it?). Sherbet dip lolly stick hanging out my mouth, that's how I like to log n' roll !!! 
 
(p.s. that's meant to be cowbell at the start) 
(p.p.s. monsieur asked if I was deliberately going for a Camp Crystal Lake / Friday the 13th look !!! :0 )
 

 

How are you doing? Please send gossip,

Lulu xXx


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Comments

  1. Looks like fun on the drums, would love to join in with some saucepan banging. My brother is a drummer so I am used to noise and would be your perfectly matched noisy neighbour. I love that barge place, it's fabulous - why not have kettles and odd things hanging from trees, looks wonderfully eccentric. I too take pics of other peoples gardens - think the owners should be pleased as if you make something beautiful, surely you want it to be admired! Love all the pics today.

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    1. You are most welcome to join in on the saucepans Betty. Next we need someone to play washer board and the spoons (any takers?). I remember you saying you have a drumming brother (and musical brothers). I like to think it is ok to take pictures as long as I don't catch the owners in their undies at the window :0 We'll see, the lawyers may come a knockin' .... Lulu xXx

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  2. I always like to have a nosy at other people's gardens! (I was told that it's OK to take photos as long as you are on public roads and aren't trespassing).
    Loved the mad drumming and incidentally, my husband is a dab hand at the washboard and spoons (but we live rather a long way away from you, so that's a bit of a problem...
    have a good week
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Glad it's not just me Ellie! I've just found a useful online public right of way map. Funny, as there are a lot of places on there I presumed were private, due to the overt signage, positioning and even physical barriers in some instances. Phew, this time I appear not to have been trespassing :0 What a shame you and your husband don't live closer... I love a bit of washboard and spoons :) You have a great week too. Lulu xXx

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  3. Hi Lulu, Love love love the barge boat garden - everything about it! I think the property owners would be flattered to learn that they have been featured in your blog. I'm with you - couldn't care less about the million pound houses - they wouldn't need such hostile signs to keep me out! Sweeping generalisation I know, but I'm betting most of them are soulless boxes decorated by expensive Interior Designers. I did catch that episode of Fern Britton's Cornwall - how interesting that you have a connection to Sue. Fabulous drumming skills! The lolly stick is a nice touch. xxx

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    1. Glad you love the boat garden Claire :) I wish I could've gone right into the garden, it was wonderful! The million pound gardens were very boring in comparison. Judging from the low maintenance planting of those on the opposite side, I suspect a good portion are holiday lets / second homes :0 I found Sue's blog from a wonderful old article she wrote about the 'tea pot' pub (Star and Garter - sadly now long gone) in Falmouth. She's a great writer. Do you know, I haven't attempted to play drums for over ten years, and I couldn't play them even back then :0 Lulu xXx

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  4. I can't sing a ruddy note... please can I join your band as lead singer :-)

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    1. Well Cherie ...
      [dramatic Simon Cowell style pause]
      YOU'RE IN !!!
      [glitter explodes and everyone cheers] .
      Lulu xXx

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    2. I'll even bring my own glitter. I could stock a small shop with the stuff.. :-)

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  5. that property looks indeed like a pirat cove!
    next time a photo of the pirat please :-D
    it sounds like you all had a lot of fun that day - admiring other people´s gardens, swinging in trees, playing cool wood drums.....
    what an interesting life the lobb brothers lived! imagine trotting aoround the globe, sending home plants from time to time and get payed for this. it was risky - but sounds better then tripping over the carpet and smashing head at the mantelpiece - at home.
    fabulous sunday! xxxxx
    p.s.: thanx for bringing light to the flood case of hull - in my opinion higer walls etc. is not the solution....

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    1. There are pirates Beate in these parts, I shall try to catch one for you!
      Ahhhh, we know how to have fun ;)
      The Lobb brothers are really interesting. They grew up in the local area before going on all their expeditions. Too many stories and plants to mention in this post.
      Thank you, you have a wonderful Sunday too.
      Lulu xXx

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  6. What a great walk....so much history and whimsy rolled into one. Your drumming reminded me of not sleeping in a bus in (winter) N. Wisconsin, because the driver ran the heater all night and our free lodgings didn't have heat. My only year in a band---and an impromptu jam session ended up pounding/drumming on all the surfaces in the old bus, quite a bit of alcohol was involved also. Kept us warm. Enjoyed this post!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by Sandi . What a great story about your N. Wisconsin band bus escapade !!! :) (Oooh, there are wolves in those parts aren't there?) Sounds like great fun. You must have all had quite a headache by the morning :0 Lulu xXx

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  7. Your posts always make me smile, so thank you. Loved the barge and it's surroundings. Shame about the million pound houses and their signs, must spoil the mood of walkers. Great story of William Lobb shooting cones from monkey puzzle trees. Have a happy week, all good wishes.

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    1. Thank you Mike :) Yeah, some of these million pound houses really know how to spoil a vibe!!! ;) I'm pretty sure there used to be some hippy lodge down there years ago too, but it has all changed. What a way to collect seeds eh!? Have a great week, Lulu xXx

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  8. Hello Lulu! That barge boat garden is gorgeous and I love all the details of the front gardens you snapped. The stained glass is so pretty. I often spot people photographing our house, occasionally I'm in my pants looking out of the window so I hope it's the architecture and the garden rather than me they're interested in.
    Oh to be a plant hunter. the Lobbs sound a fascinating pair. I'm reading the sequel to Philippa Gregory's Earthly Pleasures, Virgin Earth, based on the true story of a gardening dynasty. It's 1644 and the eldest sin is plant hunting in Virginia, discovering the tulip tree and virginia creeper for the first time. It's absolutely fascinating.
    Loving your tree adventure and the drumming. I'm tone deaf with no sense of rhythm so I'm happy to man the merch stand!
    ....off to search ebay for an "oh no, not you again" sign..... xxx

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    1. How funny Vix to be caught in pants at the window! I can imagine your house get photographed a lot because it is so quirky and handsome... but then again they may have heard about your red lucky bikini ? Both those Philippa Gregory novels sound great! I am going to hunt them out. Yes please to the merch stand and good luck with ebay :) Lulu xXx

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  9. Love the lead up to the drumming (chortle)
    I have to hold my hand up and say 'I too take photographs of other folks gardens' some are too good not to! Love the boho one with all the whimsy and salvage - my kind of space :D

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    1. Thanks Kate, pretty ridiculous drumming 'eh! Super glad it's not just me snapping other folks' gardens. If I'd spotted someone I would have asked permission first, but it was just too good to walk past and ignore :0 Lulu xXx

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  10. When I first met my husband he was living on a boat very near that bit of Restronguet Creek so I know it so well. As I do the Devoran area, as I used to sing with a group and we would practice there once a week! Thanks for the tip off about my appearance in Fern B's programme, Lulu! Take care XX

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    1. What a wonderful place to have lived, down on the water. I've driven past the Devoran turn off so many times, and started the Bissoe Trail from the car park, but I'm ashamed to say this is the first time I've gone up to the area by the church and quay. You're welcome Sue, was great to see you on t' tele :) Lulu xXx

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  11. The humming makes all the difference with the drumming. Fabulous photos as always Lulu. x

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    1. :0 :) :) The annoying humming is a family trait! My older brother is chief hummer.
      Thank you Jane. Lulu xXx

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  12. Oh no, not YOU again What a great sign, it beats all the unpleasant, officious ones. i did enjoy your bit of nosiness, just what a blog is for!

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    1. I have to admit I did have to put a 'naff off' sign on our gate during lockdown, as for some reason, all the delivery drivers would knock on our door (not our neighbours) to ask where all the other houses were :0 After over ten knocks a day in one week, when I was meant to be working from home and in constant online meetings, the sign went up! Wish I had the 'Oh no..' one now. Much nicer. Lulu xXx

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  13. Haha, I love your drumming!!! Music teacher seal of approval. And nice to finally see a pic of YOU!!!
    I don't like these fancy schmancy people who are so threatening with their signs. The barge garden sounds much nicer! We often photograph pretty houses!

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    1. Yay! Can I have a gold star sticker or star of the week certificate please Mrs Kezzie ? Yes, I do exist in face and person, not just a pair of crazy typing hands ;) The schmancy CCTV ones are a bit scary. I am going to make a 'Beware of the Beast of Bodmin' sign for my gate, complete with illustrated beast and wild fangs. Lulu xXx

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