Guess where I took this picture? Cannes? Sardinia? Corfu?
Nope.....sunny Falmouth. The Missus and I managed to escape for a few days down to Falmouth and what great weather we had. It’s been 22C today here in Falmouth – Plymouth area. The normal average is 11C....so this is unseasonably warm weather!
Falmouth is a town and port on the River Fal on the south coast of Cornwall. It has a total resident population of 21,635
The name Falmouth comes from the river Fal but the origin of the river's name is unknown. It’s famous for its harbour and together with Carrick Roads it forms the third deepest natural harbour in the world, and the deepest in Western Europe. It is also famous for being the start or finish point of various round-the-world record-breaking voyages, such as those of Sir Francis Chichester and Dame Ellen MacArthur.
The Falmouth Packet Service operated out of Falmouth for over 160 years between 1689 and 1851. Its purpose was to carry mail to and from Britain's growing empire. As the most south-westerly good harbour in Great Britain Falmouth was often the first port for returning Royal Navy ships.
News of Britain's victory and Admiral Nelson's death at Trafalgar was landed here from the schooner Pickle and taken to London by stagecoach. On 2 October 1836 HMS Beagle anchored at Falmouth at the end of its famous survey voyage around the world.
The Falmouth Docks were developed from 1858 and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) opened Falmouth Lifeboat Station nearby in 1867. The RNLI operates two lifeboats from Falmouth: Richard Cox Scott, a 17-metre (56 ft) Severn Class all weather boat, and Eve Park, an Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat.
During World War II, 31 people were killed in Falmouth by German bombing. It was also the launching point for the famous Commando raid on St Nazaire. An anti-submarine net was laid from Pendennis to St Mawes, to prevent enemy U-boats entering the harbour.
While Falmouth's maritime activity has much declined from its heyday, the docks are still a major contributor to the town's economy. It is the largest port in Cornwall. Falmouth is still a cargo port and the bunkering of vessels and the transfer of cargoes also keep the port's facilities busy. The port is also becoming popular with cruise ship operators. There was one in the night we strolled around the waterfront.
Falmouth has many literary connections. The town was the birthplace of Toad, Mole and Rat: Kenneth Grahame’s classic Wind in the Willows began as a series of letters sent to his son. The first two were written at the Greenbank Hotel whilst Grahame was a guest in May 1907. Reproductions of the letters are currently on display in the hotel. Poldark author Winston Graham knew the town well and set his novel The Forgotten Story (1945) in Falmouth.
Richard Bolitho — a fictional Royal Navy officer who was the main character in a series of books set in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The books were written by Douglas Reeman (using the pseudonym "Alexander Kent") and Bolitho came from Falmouth. If you’ve never read these books and are into old navy novels/romps, I highly recommend the Bolitho books. You can find out more here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Bolitho
I visited the Falmouth harbour office to find out about self launching facilities in the town. The main slipway is Grove Place Boat Park and Customs House Quay (in the photo above). The launch charges are £10.50 per day and the daily trailer rates are £9.50. I’m still unclear where you put car and trailer. If you need to know more the Harbour Commissioners office telephone number is 01326 312285. The web address is http://www.falmouthport.co.uk/
The water taxi service is VHF channel 37 whilst Falmouth harbour radio is channel 16 and 12. Falmouth pilot is on 09. The Falmouth coastguard can be reached on 01326 317575. I’m tempted to crack a very poor taste joke about don’t phone after 6pm because they won’t be there due to the coastguard cuts. Coastguards I know are incensed about these cutbacks and I feel really sorry for them. I’m pretty sure it’s another silly ‘rushed into’ decision which seems to be pervading all our public/community/education services since the coalition government have come to power!
I also visited the pretty village of Mylor. Someone suggested that it was a good place to launch on my proposed summer trip. I’m thinking of either a) launching at Falmouth and sailing up to Plymouth or b) sailing down to Falmouth from Plymouth and getting someone to run the trailer down there for me and then bring me back. There are a huge number of creeks to sail up in Falmouth Harbour. I could spend 2 or 3 days just sailing this area.
Mylor is a beautiful village off Carrick Roads. It has a pleasant little beach, a wine bar (rather tastefully done inside), a chandlery, a yacht club, a new surf shop and a lovely little church. I suspect in days long gone, packet ships bringing trade to the area would anchor in the creek just offshore of the little marina. These websites give further details:
http://www.mylor.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mylor,_Cornwall
http://www.mylorchandlery.co.uk/
The parish church is dedicated to St. Mylor and during its recent restoration a 17’ high Celtic stone cross was uncovered. Legend has it that it marked the actual grave of St. Mylor himself. Within the churchyard are graves of several packet boat captains. There is an attached graveyard for 60 men and boys from HMS Ganges, which was a training ship moored at Mylor for over 30 years in the early 1800’s. It was renowned for its harsh conditions and severe discipline. Mylor was at one time the most westerly naval port and victualling yard in the British Isles. During WW2 it was a base for the French resistance and now it is home to the last fleet of Falmouth oyster boats.
And what fantastic looking boats they are. You can find out more about these lovely boats at http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/8418208.Falmouth_oyster_boats_prepare_for_season/
For over a century, Cornish families have derived their livelihood from oyster dredging in the Carrick Roads and surrounding rivers. Many of the oyster boats, known as Falmouth working boats were built at boatyards around the Fal, with some of the oldest boats dating back as far as 1860.
Governed by ancient laws that were put in place to protect the natural ecology of the riverbeds and oyster stocks, oystermen fishing in the Port of Truro Oyster Fishery are prohibited from using engines. Instead, sail power and hand-pulled dredges must be used. This is the only oyster fishery in Europe, if not the world, where such traditional methods must be used.
The Working Boats can be up to 30 ft in length and have the original gaff cutter rig. The oyster beds, or lays, are marked by sticks, or ‘withies’, that protrude from the water. The fishermen rely on the tides, wind and local knowledge to dredge for oysters. Once caught, the oysters are purified for 36 hours before being sold. Some oysters are returned to beds to fatten, and can be sold after the close of the oyster season.
During the summer months, the working boats may be seen racing in the Carrick Roads, and at many regattas in the county. The racing rig is far larger than the rig used for fishing and these gracious vessels create a truly magnificent spectacle as they race at close quarters under full sail. You can see one of these boats in action at http://www.podfilms.tv/node/36
Another clip can be found below
At Mylor charges vary according to activity. A short stay visit within the marina is £3.00. Car parking is £5.00 per day and trailer storage £3.00 per day. When you launch at Mylor slip – you then tie the boat up at the pontoon and then drive the car and trailer up the valley. In all it takes about 20 minutes to drop off car and trailer somewhere along the half mile long valley and get back to the boat. I guess they have slip attendants who can keep an eye on things – it’s a long time to leave a boat unattended at a slipway! There is a yacht club, a crane to lift boats in and out, a car park and some boat yards.
Nope.....sunny Falmouth. The Missus and I managed to escape for a few days down to Falmouth and what great weather we had. It’s been 22C today here in Falmouth – Plymouth area. The normal average is 11C....so this is unseasonably warm weather!
the same big white gin palaces from another viewpoint
Falmouth is a town and port on the River Fal on the south coast of Cornwall. It has a total resident population of 21,635
The name Falmouth comes from the river Fal but the origin of the river's name is unknown. It’s famous for its harbour and together with Carrick Roads it forms the third deepest natural harbour in the world, and the deepest in Western Europe. It is also famous for being the start or finish point of various round-the-world record-breaking voyages, such as those of Sir Francis Chichester and Dame Ellen MacArthur.
this was alongside the maritime museum pontoon
a different kind of luxury I guess!
The Falmouth Packet Service operated out of Falmouth for over 160 years between 1689 and 1851. Its purpose was to carry mail to and from Britain's growing empire. As the most south-westerly good harbour in Great Britain Falmouth was often the first port for returning Royal Navy ships.
News of Britain's victory and Admiral Nelson's death at Trafalgar was landed here from the schooner Pickle and taken to London by stagecoach. On 2 October 1836 HMS Beagle anchored at Falmouth at the end of its famous survey voyage around the world.
The Falmouth Docks were developed from 1858 and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) opened Falmouth Lifeboat Station nearby in 1867. The RNLI operates two lifeboats from Falmouth: Richard Cox Scott, a 17-metre (56 ft) Severn Class all weather boat, and Eve Park, an Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat.
During World War II, 31 people were killed in Falmouth by German bombing. It was also the launching point for the famous Commando raid on St Nazaire. An anti-submarine net was laid from Pendennis to St Mawes, to prevent enemy U-boats entering the harbour.
While Falmouth's maritime activity has much declined from its heyday, the docks are still a major contributor to the town's economy. It is the largest port in Cornwall. Falmouth is still a cargo port and the bunkering of vessels and the transfer of cargoes also keep the port's facilities busy. The port is also becoming popular with cruise ship operators. There was one in the night we strolled around the waterfront.
the boat ramp is in the centre of the picture; the large building below the pontoons is the national Maritime Museum. the docks are on the right hand side
Falmouth has many literary connections. The town was the birthplace of Toad, Mole and Rat: Kenneth Grahame’s classic Wind in the Willows began as a series of letters sent to his son. The first two were written at the Greenbank Hotel whilst Grahame was a guest in May 1907. Reproductions of the letters are currently on display in the hotel. Poldark author Winston Graham knew the town well and set his novel The Forgotten Story (1945) in Falmouth.
Richard Bolitho — a fictional Royal Navy officer who was the main character in a series of books set in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The books were written by Douglas Reeman (using the pseudonym "Alexander Kent") and Bolitho came from Falmouth. If you’ve never read these books and are into old navy novels/romps, I highly recommend the Bolitho books. You can find out more here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Bolitho
I visited the Falmouth harbour office to find out about self launching facilities in the town. The main slipway is Grove Place Boat Park and Customs House Quay (in the photo above). The launch charges are £10.50 per day and the daily trailer rates are £9.50. I’m still unclear where you put car and trailer. If you need to know more the Harbour Commissioners office telephone number is 01326 312285. The web address is http://www.falmouthport.co.uk/
The water taxi service is VHF channel 37 whilst Falmouth harbour radio is channel 16 and 12. Falmouth pilot is on 09. The Falmouth coastguard can be reached on 01326 317575. I’m tempted to crack a very poor taste joke about don’t phone after 6pm because they won’t be there due to the coastguard cuts. Coastguards I know are incensed about these cutbacks and I feel really sorry for them. I’m pretty sure it’s another silly ‘rushed into’ decision which seems to be pervading all our public/community/education services since the coalition government have come to power!
Mylor beach
Mylor harbour area
Mylor is a beautiful village off Carrick Roads. It has a pleasant little beach, a wine bar (rather tastefully done inside), a chandlery, a yacht club, a new surf shop and a lovely little church. I suspect in days long gone, packet ships bringing trade to the area would anchor in the creek just offshore of the little marina. These websites give further details:
http://www.mylor.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mylor,_Cornwall
http://www.mylorchandlery.co.uk/
The parish church is dedicated to St. Mylor and during its recent restoration a 17’ high Celtic stone cross was uncovered. Legend has it that it marked the actual grave of St. Mylor himself. Within the churchyard are graves of several packet boat captains. There is an attached graveyard for 60 men and boys from HMS Ganges, which was a training ship moored at Mylor for over 30 years in the early 1800’s. It was renowned for its harsh conditions and severe discipline. Mylor was at one time the most westerly naval port and victualling yard in the British Isles. During WW2 it was a base for the French resistance and now it is home to the last fleet of Falmouth oyster boats.
And what fantastic looking boats they are. You can find out more about these lovely boats at http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/8418208.Falmouth_oyster_boats_prepare_for_season/
For over a century, Cornish families have derived their livelihood from oyster dredging in the Carrick Roads and surrounding rivers. Many of the oyster boats, known as Falmouth working boats were built at boatyards around the Fal, with some of the oldest boats dating back as far as 1860.
Governed by ancient laws that were put in place to protect the natural ecology of the riverbeds and oyster stocks, oystermen fishing in the Port of Truro Oyster Fishery are prohibited from using engines. Instead, sail power and hand-pulled dredges must be used. This is the only oyster fishery in Europe, if not the world, where such traditional methods must be used.
The Working Boats can be up to 30 ft in length and have the original gaff cutter rig. The oyster beds, or lays, are marked by sticks, or ‘withies’, that protrude from the water. The fishermen rely on the tides, wind and local knowledge to dredge for oysters. Once caught, the oysters are purified for 36 hours before being sold. Some oysters are returned to beds to fatten, and can be sold after the close of the oyster season.
During the summer months, the working boats may be seen racing in the Carrick Roads, and at many regattas in the county. The racing rig is far larger than the rig used for fishing and these gracious vessels create a truly magnificent spectacle as they race at close quarters under full sail. You can see one of these boats in action at http://www.podfilms.tv/node/36
Another clip can be found below
At Mylor charges vary according to activity. A short stay visit within the marina is £3.00. Car parking is £5.00 per day and trailer storage £3.00 per day. When you launch at Mylor slip – you then tie the boat up at the pontoon and then drive the car and trailer up the valley. In all it takes about 20 minutes to drop off car and trailer somewhere along the half mile long valley and get back to the boat. I guess they have slip attendants who can keep an eye on things – it’s a long time to leave a boat unattended at a slipway! There is a yacht club, a crane to lift boats in and out, a car park and some boat yards.
there is a Falmouth oyster boat for sale
the lifting out crane at Mylor
I bet someone got a very nasty surprise when this mast snapped
some proper rope work on one of the boats tied alongside the wall at Mylor
hidden amongst the Falmouth oyster boats
a tidy working boat
and a slightly neglected one as well
looking out over Carrick Roads
Steve
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Thanks for taking a look at my blog. All comments and advice are welcome - drop me a few lines. You can always find videos about Arwen at www.youtube.com/c/plymouthwelshboy. Look forward to hearing from you.
Steve