BERTHA...paahh! ...I SURVIVED BILL!

...back in August 2009, we were having a bit of a dull patch of weather and looming on the horizon, according to the synoptic charts, was the remants of Hurricane Bill. To cheer everyone up, I wrote a little ditty which I posted up ...

The advice remains the same!

THE BALLAD OF HURRICANE BILL

Hurricane Bill, that ‘twas its name,

It brewed up dark and stormy,

And as he watched the weather charts

It put the wind up Normy.

‘Tie down your kids’ in vain he cried,

But not because of weather,

They were getting on his nerves,

Bikes racing hell for leather.

‘Advise your wives’ he shouted out,
To wear something less floating,

The wind will catch her fair and square,
And flight times we’ll be quoting.’

‘Take down your flags and lower your masts,

Whatever be their colour.

Turn off your fairy lights and lamps,

Sure life will be much duller.’

‘For we must ride this great storm out,
And all come through the weather,

Cause when you camp at Lower Treave,

We’re all in it together!’

‘But wait’ cried Norm, ‘the chart is wrong,

This weather’s for another,
This hurricane won’t come to us,
It’s going to Bill’s Mother!’

Hence the saying ‘It’s looking black over Bill’s Mother’s!

BEACH LIFE

Cornwall's beaches are a hive of activity from dawn till dusk. There is so much more to our beaches than the traditional buckets and spades and building sandcastles, as much fun as this is. From wild food foraging to wild swimming to painting lessons, Cornwall's beaches provide inspiring past times for all. This short film follows Caroline Davey of The Fat Hen as she goes wild food foraging around Sennen Cove, the Newlyn School of Art painting lessons at Cot Valley and Open Swimmers at Carbis Bay as they make the must of the wonderful summer weather.

.

Helston Flora Day - Thursday 8th May 2014

What’s it all about?

The origins of this famous celebration dance are more than likely pre-Christian and connected to ancient spring festivals that take place all over Europe. Nowadays the festival’s original purpose of ushering in a prosperous harvest expresses itself in a lively, colourful celebration that involves the whole town. A great family day out.

What happens?

The town is decked out with bluebells, gorse and laurel leaves gathered from the surrounding countryside. Dancing begins at 7.00am with gentlemen wearing shirts and ties and the ladies in light summer dresses. Not long after the Hal-an-Tow, a boisterous mummers’ play featuring scenes of St George slaying the Dragon begins cheered on by a crowd dressed in Lincoln green and Elizabethan robes. The children of the town dance at 10.00am wearing flowers and lily of the valley and at midday the formal dance of the day begins with men wearing morning dress and the ladies decked out in magnificent ball gowns and hats that could be the envy of Ascot. To round off the day of dancing, the Evening Dance starts from the Guildhall at 5pm.

How can you take part?

You'll probably have to park outside the town and walk in as thousands of visitors pack the streets all day to watch the dances. During the day the main street and down towards the boating lake buzzes with many stalls selling local souvenirs, Cornish crafts and food and a big fairground and there's a carnival atmosphere from dawn to well into the night.

Taking part in the dancing is by invitation only by applying to the Flora Day Association. The event is held every year on May 8th unless that day falls on a Sunday or Monday, when it is held on the preceding Saturday.

Did you know?

The Flora Dance melody, played during the celebrations every year by Helston Town Band, is said to date back to a pre-Christian times. Put to words in 1911 by London born composer Katie Moss, the lyrics are allegedly based on a true incident when, whilst visiting Helston Floral Day, Moss was grabbed by a stranger who enticed her to join in the dancing.

.

Winging It In Cornwall!

A short aerial trip around a few of the most iconic attractions such as St Michael's Mount, the Minack Theatre, Land's End, Tintagel Castle and the Eden Project.



If you want a more personal view from the air ... Come Fly With Me...!

Happy landings everyone!

.

Night Train

I was on one of the last sleepers before the storm. Great to see it back!

.

Falmouth to Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Regatta 2014

What happens?

The large square-rigged vessels will be berthed at Queen’s Wharf in Falmouth Docks and will be open to the public from 28th to 30th August. On 31st August they will take part in a magnificent Parade of Sail along the coast in Falmouth Bay. They will then race up the English Channel to the finishing line off the Isle of Wight, then sailing in company to Greenwich, London.

How can you take part?

You can sign up to take part in the race as a crew member on board of one of the magnificent Tall Ships or enjoy the spectacle of the vessels in port. When the Tall Ships are in Falmouth people will be able to go onboard and experience the sights, sounds and smells of life on-board these majestic ships where fortunes, careers and lives have been won and lost. There'll also be a packed schedule of onshore activities from exhibitions & displays, children’s activities, live music & entertainment, a colourful ship’s crew parade through the town centre and a spectacular firework display.

.

Cornish Jukebox

.......anybody seen Paul?

.