Falmouth UK

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 13th September 2023

Overnight we continued West towards Cornwall on the South West extremity of England, arriving at the Port of Falmouth at 7.30am. Once again it is cloudy, but we are assured that it will not rain. A maximum temperature of around 20 C is expected.

It takes a little longer than usual to get the gangway in place, so the commencement of our shore excursion is delayed by about 15 minutes. We have chosen a scenic drive through the Cornish Countryside for around 3 hrs, giving us the afternoon free should we wish to wander into town.

Falmouth is the third deepest natural deepwater port in the World behind Sydney and Rio. The scenery is vastly more attractive than Portsmouth.




Our tour takes us through Helston to St Michael's Mount, a small island off the Southern coast (circled on the map above), North to Gwithian, then to Redruth and back to Falmouth.

An old mine shaft stack

Steam Engine Pump Stations

St Michaels Mount is a tidal island in Mounts Bay, Cornwall. There is a causeway that can be traversed by foot at low tide, but it is only accessible by boat at high tide. A castle and chapel were built on the island and it is believed it was the site of a monastery from the 8th to the 11th centuries when Edward the Confessor gave the site to the Benedictine order of Mont -Saint -Michel. It is now managed by the National Trust and the castle and Chapel have been the residence of the St Aubyn family since 1650.


St Michael's Mount


The beach at Mount's Bay


Cornish Flag


It is fertile agricultural land and cropping is extensive


At this time of the year brassicas seem to be the favoured crop





Godrevy Lighthouse off Gwithian Beach

We continued on through some small villages and interesting landscapes. The roads here are so narrow there were many occasions where either our bus driver or an ocoming vehicle had to reverse some distance to find a clearing where passing was possible.





In 1998 the last operating mine in Cornwall, South Crofty was closed, due to plummeting tin prices.  It is currently being resurrected by a Canadian mining company.



                                                                    South Crofty Mine


                                                        A typical old tin miners cottage


Planning a day trip out on your boat on the coast of Cornwall requires a pretty good understanding of the 
tides.


Back on the ship by lunch time the weather had become quite warm and there was no risk of rain. We dined at the rear of the ship at the Aquavit Bar enjoying the sunshine in the outdoor deck seating.


After lunch we still have plenty of time before departure and the township is only about a 10 minute walk from the ship, so John, Carole and I set out to have a look around town.


View of the town from the stern of the ship


The small harbour in town with a narrow entrance


We can see the Viking Jupiter from the town harbour


The town boat harbour lined with restaurants and steep stone walls indicating big tides


Walking down the main street






The are lots of yachts here, quite a sight against the rural backdrop





A local choir gathers on the dock to bid us farewell

We cast off at 6 pm headed for Porto.  Tomorrow will be a day at sea crossing the Bay of Biscay.


After a very tight turn to get out of our dock, we are on our way



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