An abortive walk around Siblyback Lake

It was going to be a simple walk around Siblyback Lake, which is the reservoir from which we get our water, but it didn't turn out quite as we expected because of the weather. Not the weather today but rather the aftermath of Storm Barney. It seems that some trees had come down on the footpath around the lake and there were closure signs up everywhere. So what was intended to be a 5 miler turned out to be around 3.

Our route (in red) and, yes, you can see two circles. That's when we were wandering around, somewhat aimlessly, trying to decide what to do because of the closed footpath.

 

And this gives a good feel for what the weather was like. Rainy and misty - what the Scots would called 'dreich'.

A group huddle. OK, we can't go where we wanted to, so where now? And the answer was back to the starting point where some would go home and a few others, including we two, would drive a short distance and walk to Golitha Falls.

When used selectively, I think the fisheye lens effect can be quite effective. A few remaining hawthorn berries glistening in the rain.

Now here's something that irritates me about our government's clamp down on Local Government finances. The fact that car parking is being 'monetised'. A car park in an out-of-the-way place being let for who knows what? But whatever it is, you can bet that a hefty charge will be levied for the privilege of using it. Which, of course, people won't as they'll park in the narrow lane and cause obstructions. Cue the double yellow line brigade to put in an appearance.

And here's something else that irritates me about our government's clamp down on Local Government finances. The fact that public conveniences all over the county are being closed, particularly in areas where tourists go. "Sorry for any disruption". No, they're not. Who are they trying to kid?

Golitha Falls. Perhaps a better name would be Golitha Cascades? Lots of water in the River Fowey, which we last saw nearer the sea by St Winnow's church on our last walk, gave us a good show of rough water.

Looking downstream on a typical moorland river close to its origin - dropping quite steeply for a considerable distance. This one arises quite close to Jamaica Inn in the middle of Bodmin Moor.

Come on, you'll recognise this a wheelpit. Nothing unusual about that and, taking into account a nearby leat, it was, most probably, fed by water channelled into a wooden launder at its top. Overshot is the technical term. What is unusual is that there are no signs of any associated structures nearby. So, what did it power? My money would be on it powering a series of flat rods that went from it up the hill to machinery at the Wheal Victoria copper mine. This was in operation from 1844 to 1846, or so a not particularly informative notice board told us.

They wouldn't get planning permission for this nowadays that's for sure. Nothing definite but I think it was taking water from a spring/stream to the right to a farm/house on the left about 1/2 mile away.

The walk down to the falls goes through the Draynes Bridge Nature Reserve which has a very varied flora and fauna. Not much of either around this time of year and the weather prevented any exploration off the paths but I did spot this impressive array of fungi. My fungi guide tells me that it was Stereum hirsutum, commonly known by the wonderful name of Hairy Curtain Crust. Pretty obvious really, it was hairy, looked like a curtain and formed crests. What else would you call it? Brown Crumbly Thing?

And the only decent bird shot I managed to get all day. A solitary Pied Wagtail having a paddle in the shallows of the river.