A walk from Cardinham Church

A walk with our 'regular' group today of about 8 miles. And, as a bonus, the weather was kind to us with almost ideal walking conditions for this time of year. We started outside of Cardinham church and dropped down to follow the Fowey River as it flowed through the Cardinham plantation. We left the plantation to walk across fields, along green lanes and circled back to our starting point. A few buzzards were around and, apart from a single snowdrop and a small patch of gorse, there were very few flowers to be seen.

Our starting point, St Meubred's church at Cardinham. St Meubred was, or so it is thought, an Irish monk who came across in the 5th or 6th century. Apparently he was taken to Rome for reasons unknown and beheaded, after which his body was returned to the church for burial.

A casualty of the recent bad weather.

A stark white but unidentified fungus.

An alder bract fungus - reasonably common in these parts but specific for the alder tree.

A very fine example of a granite Celtic cross. Not quite sure what the vertical grooves (there was one on the other side as well) were there for or even if they were part of the original. Cornish farmers have a long tradition of using such crosses as gate posts!

About half way around and we were parallel with Cardinham church. The present building dates from the 15th century but was built on the site of a much earlier church.

Now this is what I call a muddy patch.

Signs that a farrier has been at work.

Back to our starting point which, unfortunately, was not open for a visit. Maybe next time?