I was determined that whilst we were off work, we would actually do some fun things, and not just the patio (or Terrace, as you have all suggested it should be known as).
I had been checking the weather forecast’s for the last few days, and as far as Morwellham Quay was concerned, we had one window of opportunity before the weather in that neck of the woods changed for the worse.
Today was it! We had arranged that Sally-Ann and Mike meet us here, and we would all travel up in Pricilla (we are now pronouncing it prick-illa, as I refuse to change my miss-spelling LOL).
Paul treated Pricilla to a wash and brush up before the others arrived, and then we headed off, leaving the two dogs at home, as it would be a warm day, and we also wanted to take advantage of one of the attractions when we got there, and the dogs would probably not be allowed on.
A very comfortable hour and a half’s drive up country, brought us to Morwellham Quay.
We paid our very reasonable entrance fee, along with the cost of the train ride we wanted to do, and acquired our maps of the town, and proceeded down to explore. Spotting Monarch in dry dock as we went.
The cottages were beautifully kept, and lead us to the Cooper’s shop…
and then to the Carpenter and Wheelwright, who also made coffins!
The Manganese Mill loomed in front of us, with it’s huge working water wheel
We came past the water wheel, and made our way to the main built up area that included the local Inn and some pretty shops. There were people dressed in the period costume of the time, offering advice and information. This lovely lady kindly agreed we could take her picture and use it on our blogs.
By now, we had walked the length of the village, having not spent too much time exploring, as we were booked on the 11.30 train ride into the copper mine. We took our places in line, and awaited to be called onto our ride.
Our train was an enclosed carriage of seats, to protect us from any falling debris inside the mine.
an ominous site to see as we entered the hole in the ground ahead!
Jasen, our guide, stopped the train part way in and told us some facts about the mine and how it was worked all those years ago
It was all very cleverly done, but soon we were back in daylight once more.
Walking back down from the mine, we headed past the lime kilns
Having been treated to a really lovely lunch in the Ship Inn, we headed on round to Ruth’s Cottage. This was renamed after the village was used for the show Edwardian Farm (there is a link for the information of this show on the Morwellham Quay hyperlink I added earlier in my post).
The lady we had seen earlier in the day was offering us information about the cottage and the village life, both during filming, and back in the day so to speak.
We then wandered back through the village, spotting the potter at work as we went.
Inside the assayers cottage and laboratory, which we had seen the outside of as we arrived
a far more glamorous existence that the mine workers had, that’s for sure, and a nice view of the dock from the front door too!
Meanwhile, the miners slept on the floor of a two room cottage, sharing a blanket with the chap on the opposite shift. A one got up to go to work, the other climbed into the bed (or floor as was the case here)
The family who rented the room to the miners, were lucky enough to get beds, but all had to share the one room!
Having explored the inside, it was time to get out into the wonderful sunshine, and go down to the ship in dock.
One final place to visit now. The farm.
We wandered up the road towards it, to visit the animals that had been used on the TV show.
The pigs
The very inquisitive geese
the sheep and ram
the Shire horses
Sally-Ann was in her element I think!
The pygmies goats were the last of the animals that we saw, before heading back towards the village just in time to see the horse drawn cart on it’s travels
What a wonderful day!
Jo Anne
