Falmouth Bay and Helford River (2)
The Coastal footpath from Swanpool follows the top of the cliffs south to Pennance Point, and then SW to Maenporth. It offers
good views of the Bay and the coast. In September 2008, it offered views of the start of a stage of the Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta.
good views of the Bay and the coast. In September 2008, it offered views of the start of a stage of the Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta.
Two views of the well-known Polish Tall Ship, Dar Młodzieży, and the huge fleet of spectator craft:
08.04.2008. Follow the footpath on past Pennance Point, and look back for another angle on the entrance to Falmouth Harbour:
But Maenporth can get stormy in a strong east wind. The sea is unsafe for bathing, and blown sand makes the beach unusable.
The seas look impressive enough here, on a bright April day, but imagine the scene in December 1978, at night, in a blizzard...
Those were the conditions when the Ben Asdale came ashore, and it triggered a daring helicopter rescue of most of the ship's crew.
(The Wikipedia account does not mention that conditions were so bad that the helicopter couldn't fly to Maenporth directly from Culdrose (just a few miles) because of the danger of icing, so it had to fly all around the Lizard peninsular at nearly sea level before carrying out the one and a half hour rescue, in the dark.)
In the 1990s the hull of the Ben Asdale could easily be seen, perched up on the rocks, but since then the hungry sea has nibbled away at it, and only a few heavier items of hull and machinery now remain, only visible from the cliff above. Pictures below were taken on 12.05.2009.
Those were the conditions when the Ben Asdale came ashore, and it triggered a daring helicopter rescue of most of the ship's crew.
(The Wikipedia account does not mention that conditions were so bad that the helicopter couldn't fly to Maenporth directly from Culdrose (just a few miles) because of the danger of icing, so it had to fly all around the Lizard peninsular at nearly sea level before carrying out the one and a half hour rescue, in the dark.)
In the 1990s the hull of the Ben Asdale could easily be seen, perched up on the rocks, but since then the hungry sea has nibbled away at it, and only a few heavier items of hull and machinery now remain, only visible from the cliff above. Pictures below were taken on 12.05.2009.
A few years after the shipwreck, a shop in St Ives offered this bell
for sale. It's not clear if it's the looted original, or a 'reproduction'!
for sale. It's not clear if it's the looted original, or a 'reproduction'!
The Helford River
The mouth of the Helford is to the east, and the village of Gweek, at its headwaters, is to the west. But going upriver, the first
creek that branches off on the north side is Porth Navas. The village there is on a side creek. (Pictures taken 21.05.2009.)
creek that branches off on the north side is Porth Navas. The village there is on a side creek. (Pictures taken 21.05.2009.)
Porth Navas
The next creek off the Helford is on the south side, Frenchman's Creek, which is narrow and dries at low water. Soon after the Helford divides:
the northern branch is Polwheveral Creek, relatively unused and unspoilt, while the Helford itself continues west to Gweek.
the northern branch is Polwheveral Creek, relatively unused and unspoilt, while the Helford itself continues west to Gweek.
Polwheveral Creek
Several streams form the head of the Helford. Gweek Quay lies between two short branches of the river,
and supports a thriving boatyard and related trades.
and supports a thriving boatyard and related trades.
Gweek
The last port of call in Falmouth bay is Porthoustock, a small fishing village on the east side of the Lizard, just north of Manacle Point.
Porthoustock, 05.06.2009.
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