The search for sea glass

Vic conducted the search in Charlestown. The beach was entirely smooth rocks, and my foot was tender; stable footing required.


He walked me up to the museum, which I toured alone, then searched the beach on the other side of the harbor. He came up with one single solitary piece!





I don't know for certain where these mighty anchors came from, but since they're outside the museum, I will presume they came from wrecks.

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Charlestown clay

I found out in the museum that Charlestown for centuries shipped clay for use in china and in the manufacture of paper. The clay was mined locally. A system of tunnels and rail cars conveyed it to the harbor. (I think some tunnels were for mining, some for conveying by rail.)

Sluice gates controlled the flow of water from lakes that were miles away, at a higher elevation. The water was mixed with the clay, the clay was raked and dried, and then it was sent on by rail and loaded through a chute into ships.

Below, just under the red building, the last tunnel opens onto the harbor.



Following the now-absent rail tracks rightward, the chute for loading boats is under the second yellow house.


Here's the chute from right in front of that house:


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Reminds us of home

The breakwater dotted with fisher-folk did take us back to Gloucester. There were pots out, too! However, the enclosed harbor and lock system was unique.












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Grab a travel guide when next you travel

We did, I think in Port Isaac, and that's how we found ourselves in Charlestown. We came for the advertised museum, displaying "1,500 shipwreck artefacts" (Brit spelling, I assume). I will say more about the museum elsewhere!

Upon arrival, we were awe-struck and mystified by these elegant square-riggers. There were signs stating that the harborfront is used often in film, but no specific mention of the ships. You will have to decide for yourself whether they are the real deal or built-for-TV.

















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Trereife House has no Internet

And I am a day behind in posting, even though I seem unable to shut up. I am on Wi-Fi over dinner, which means: one post, at most. We are on a boat to the Scilly Islands in the morning, and we are told that Shearwater, our B&B there, does have Wi-Fi.

Trereife House is lovely, by the way:


We are staying 'round the back--where we have THREE rooms. A record. We had no idea that we had booked an apartment.


Coming up, once we have the Internet again: Charlestown



Mevagissey


and, today, St. Just, Sennen, and Penzance.

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Re-posting

It looks like this picture did not appear where it was supposed to. It represents the fishermen in Padstow.


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Weather vane, Port Isaac

We saw a weather vane that could have been put together by the same artist who assembled our fish. (That would be the NC fish in our backyard.)


You can see a saw blade, a scythe, and a shovel clearly below.


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