minding the sheep

whatever the weather the sheep need tending

the quick and the not so quick

at the Honey fair Callington 3

Kit Hill in the background adding some perspective to the man on stilts

street entertainers for MacMillan nurses

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the handiwork of local primary schoolchildren.

at the Honey fair Callington 2

John Trevithick (under trilby), Lawrence Reed (VIP) and town criers of Bodmin and Launceston.

the loudest guy on the street (from Saltash of course).

and the town criers of Callington, Saltash, Newton Abbot, Crewkerne, Torbay, Bodmin, Ilfracombe and Barnstaple

at the Honey fair Callington 1

Today was honey fair day in Callington. This may go back many years (see link) but has been revived more recently by John Trevithick whose family have lived in the town for 200 years. Apart from the usual stalls full of knickknacks, cheap toys and trivia, there was a Town criers competition (won by the bard of Launceston), a honey tasting competition, and a visit from Lawrence Reed of radio Cornwall. All very exciting for us rural types.

or fearful symmetry

just making sure we leave the area, and quickly

the Liskeard show 2

the warm up ring for horses and riders.

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a crowd of alpacas

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big bulls

donkey judging

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the Liskeard show

Liskeard is about 10 miles (16km) away from us. The show is quite big and full of rural interest, especially food and livestock. England (or Cornwall if you prefer) as it used to be, and simple pleasures enjoyed by all.

Judging the live stock

waiting our turn.

taking risks

donkey derby


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the great escape

"don't worry lambkin it is only a car full of dogs".

No one knows to whom these runaways belong. It looked very like the morning school run.

the Flower Show 4

and some folks just couldn't care less who wins, not our sort of poodles, too small for me, could be shaggy rabbits or Yorkies or something

the Flower Show 2

we have clowns and bands ( a very warm sounding brass band from Launceston)

the Flower Show

It's not all about butterflies. Our local flower show is always well supported, and takes a huge amount of effort from the organisers. The vegetables have done well this year despite or because of the wettest of wet Julys. Ann Craig, seen below, setting out the prize winners trophies has been the secretary for 34 years. At least the sun shone on this her last show.

furrows to plough

These wide smooth furrows have appeared in fields on the road to Launceston, creating pleasing geometric patterns in the soil. We remain very busy blurbing. But not so busy we couldn't appreciate the beautiful symmetrical complexity of a dandelion seed head.

blackthorn blossoming on Rowden lane, a long wide bridle path between Trecombe and Stoke Climsland.

on the lane to Latchley

It is a pity we are unable to record and post the sounds we hear on our walk. There are horses, sheep and cattle in this barn all making a noise plus several cockerels. Note escapees on right.

canine snigging

doing a Spot of snigging, while those who should be snigging plod wearily home

bad hair day 2

meanwhile, there are others who would dispute with Spot his claim of unchallenged supremacy of the blasted heath and moor.

more coming down at the mill

I had an interesting conversation today with someone who knows about old mills. Beals Mill dates back to at least the twelfth century, with evidence of the oldest building in the foundations below the level defined by the arch with slates and a keystone (toolbox somewhat later). The plan is to incorporate the walls of the mill into a new house to be built on the site. The bridge (on the extreme left of the top picture) is now just visible from the lane behind the mill.

not much changes

these pictures are separated by about 100 years. The black and white picture is taken from the Callington museum site which has many more similar photographs. It is very striking how little has changed apart from telegraph poles and wires(and qv). All of these people have lived their lives, but their descendants still live in the village.

red white and blue

the kennel decked out in patriotic colours in celebration of the Spring bank holiday.