More Boscastle Harbour Shots

A better shot of Boscastle Harbour above, showing the small fishing boats.

Got the shots of Boscastle Harbour below as I started on an upward trek towards Pentargon Bay and Beeny Cliff (following things of Thomas Hardy significance, of course):

Think the picture below conveys something of what a wild, windy day it was:

Donegal Batman Mural

The walk back to Crolly from Carrickfinn Beach was pleasant enough.

Couldn't help but take a shot of the Donegal Batman mural below:

Loved the occasional riverside shot along the way:

 

Carrickfinn Beach: More Shots

A few more shots from walking along the sand dunes and looking down at Carrickfinn Beach and out to sea:

Finally, made my way down to the beach itself:

Which felt incredibly fresh on a bright summer's day (over 30 degrees celsius):

Entering Fordwich

Having had a quick look round Sturry, we made our way to Fordwich, Britain's smallest town, nearby.

Having lived in Canterbury in the late 1990s/early 2000s, I knew that Fordwich would be well worth a visit.

Soon after crossing the river into Fordwich, we encountered the incredible building below which has stayed in my mind's eye since visiting Fordwich in the early 2000s:

Then, we saw the wonderful Town Hall:

Have just read that through having been built in 1544, Fordwich Town Hall is the oldest and smallest Town Hall still in use today, and that for hundreds of years, it was used as a courtroom and jail.

Would've loved to have had a look inside Fordwich Town Hall.

Arriving at Carrickfinn Beach

Not too long after passing through the village of Anagaire, I reached my destination, Carrickfinn Beach:

After passing Donegal Airport, which is right next to the beach, I ended up having to walk over sand dunes to get to the water.
 

In the distance, I could see Mount Eriggal, which I'd walked to the previous day:

Also passed a stone circle near Donegal Airport:

Kind find any information as to whether it's prehistoric or a modern construction.

Boscastle: Dry-Stone Walls

Couldn't help but be impressed by the dry-stone walls that I passed walking down from St. Juliot to Boscastle.

In Ireland, a friend showed me a Cornish dry-stone wall similar to the one above on a small island off the Cork coast.

I marvel at the structure of Cornish dry-stone walls, as they look far more difficult to put together than the 'more conventional' ones that my friend and I put up in a few rural areas of Lancashire many years ago.

 

Comfortable Kotek

Above, Kotek is dozing happily having found a comfortable spot in a tray on the kitchen table.

However, he doesn't look too happy about being disturbed during a nap below:

Visiting Boscastle Harbour

As I got close to Boscastle Harbour, the Valency river got wider reaching out to the sea:

In 'Discovering Hardy's Wessex' (1978/1982: 45), Anne-Marie Edwards reveals that during their courtship days, Thomas Hardy and Emma walked to Boscastle Harbour through the Valency river valley.

Have always enjoyed looking out to the sea:

It just gets the mind going.

Not Following the Valency River into Boscastle

After visiting St. Juliot Rectory, the main setting for Thomas Hardy's courtship with Emma of course, I toyed with the idea of following the grassy path (above) down to the Valency river valley.

The gate below is a kind of mystical-type side entrance into St. Juliot Rectory:

While walking down towards the Valency river:

I decided to turn back, as I had many things to do (e.g. visit Boscastle Harbour and Beeny Cliff, of Hardy significance too, of course) and not much time on my hands.

Hence, I ended up retracing my steps back to the main road into Boscastle, and caught my first glimpse of the Valency river near the car park in Boscastle:

Soon started to pass upmarket hotels at the side of the river:

And I guess the area that got badly flooded a few years ago.

Also saw a Museum of Witchcraft:

Not my kind of thing to be honest.

Wilco at Warsaw Progresja 15th September 2019

My highlight from last weekend, seeing Wilco at Warsaw Progresja

This was the first time I'd seen Wilco and they were absolutely fantastic, right up there with the best bands I've seen over the years (Rush, BOC, Kansas, ELP, Yes etc.).

Despite not being that well up on Wilco, only really knowing the more famous tunes ('Dawned on Me'; 'I Am Trying To Break Your Heart'; 'California Stars' etc.), I was captivated throughout the 29-song set.

Was nice to see a band take well-deserved plaudits and then come back on for about seven encores.

My favourite tune of the night? Had to be 'Impossible Germany', the Nels Cline guitar solo had the whole crowd spellbound.

Was also a nice touch the way Jeff Tweedy tipped his hat to acknowledge an enthusiastic crowd.

Passing through Anagaire

Passed through the Irish-speaking village of Anagaire on the way to Carrickfinn Beach (near Donegal Airport).

Had a brilliant meat and potato pastie from the supermarket in Anagaire and even managed to speak a bit of Irish while buying it.

Love the scenery below:

Passing the Catholic church in Anagaire:

And a pub: