Wednesday 16 July 2014

Godrevy Again









Come on CT, tell me which Blue she is. Silver Studded? Or Common?




If you live here, or if you are visiting anytime soon, I urge you to go to Godrevy. Like a lot of the coastline of West Cornwall, this is an area owned and preserved by the National Trust (I think that the beach and the lighthouse are privately owned). Olly and I walked Honey there yesterday. I thought it would make a change from the dunes. And I had stared at the lighthouse from Sam's window this morning. She looked bright and welcoming in the early morning sun. And she seemed to beckon me over. It's what I told myself as I drove there anyway.

The headland overlooking the lighthouse was swathed in a violet carpet. It shimmered in the morning sunshine and contrasted beautifully with the blue sky above. You know when something is so other worldly that you find yourself catching your breath? When you have to do a double take, just to make sure that what you saw was real? No wonder Granny wanted her ashes to be scattered here. She must have known that she would always be surrounded by great beauty.

Olly bug hunted while I jumped around trying to take photos of the butterflies. I am determined to get better at it, even though I had to concede that maybe jumping was no way to score that money shot. There were hundreds of them flitting to and fro over the coastal heath land. I wondered if there had been a spate of Gatekeepers emerging from their cocoons, there were so many. I watched them chase off bigger butterflies, claiming territories as their own. Olly was fascinated by the orange beetles that were all over the plant life (CT has advised that they are probably soldier beetles. It's what we are calling them now anyway). They were "joined up" he said, as he watched them getting frisky on the flowers.

We watched a young Kestrel for the longest time. She was sat on a rocky outcrop minding her own business and preening her feathers. It was priceless. I thought for a moment that she was a baby, but then she flew up and away. You often see Kestrels here, but the joy never diminishes. There were a great many rabbits too. As I child I remember the delight at seeing the fluffy tail of a rabbit as it bounded away out of sight. I saw the same delight in Olly as he saw not one, but several running into the safety of the gorse bushes. There were Buzzards wheeling overhead and Crows walking shiftily around the top of the headland. We looked for seals, but they must have been out fishing. Olly was convinced that he saw a shark. It was a buoy. At least I hope it was....there are basking sharks spotted from time to time around here.

I was quite reluctant to go to Honey's date with the dog groomer. I could have stayed all day. I think Olly would have been quite happy to as well. I'm thinking that perhaps we will come back this weekend in Betty. The car park doesn't close until ten. We could get up to all sorts. I've always wanted to watch the sun set over Godrevy.

I wish you could join me.

Leanne xx

there are no filters on those photos. It really is that beautiful.


16 comments:

  1. I wish I could have joined you there too! It's one of our favourite places and your have captured those butterflies so well. Sarah x

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  2. Oh my goodness!!!!! What a beautiful place. Butterflies are very photogenic. You have some great shots. I could almost here the surf.

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  3. Oh it's stunning, absolutely stunning. That last butterfly photo is beautiful. The fluffy blue body is incredible. Your photography is brilliant. I almost NEVER manage to capture a butterfly, they're just so fast, you've done really well. The wildflowers are gorgeous. How amazing nature is. And the view of the lighthouse is always a good one. I'll definitely visit the next time I'm down that way. I think a trip there with Betty is a great idea, I hope you have a lovely time. CJ xx

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    1. They are amazing creatures to look at, aren't they? Perfect and beautiful.
      Leanne xx

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  4. Such absolutely beautiful photos of this special area, is the close growing ground cover called Heather, I know the pretty white flower are Queen Anne Lace. Lovely lovely photos,hugs Judy

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  5. We were in St Ives this time last year. Will be back!

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  6. I am always so envious of where you live. Such a beautiful place - you are one lucky, lucky lady! x

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  7. It is so so beautiful!!! I can see why you would rather have stayed and played the day away. xx

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  8. Beautiful! I am so pleased you share pictures like this on your blog so we can all enjoy them. Thank you. Right. ID time :-) The first (brown) butterfly is a rather elderly and worn male meadow brown and I think the blues are male silver studded, judging from the thick black border (girl blues are almost always brown, just to confuse matters). Lovely- I've not seen silver studded blues before. Great shots too- well done girl! :-)

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  9. It's breathtaking, Leanne, and must have been more so in person. The picture of the heath land brings back so many great memories of the walks I have taken in the UK. You did a terrific job of photographing the butterflies. I have yet to take a decent picture of one.

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  10. It is absolutely beautiful there. I've never been to the UK, but when I look at your photos, I feel like I'm getting a good taste of what it would be like. An interesting and thoughtful post, as always.

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  11. Oh my goodness, I have just spent a minute or so mesmerised by those butterflies!

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  12. Oh I'm really enjoying you stroll through a Cornish summer so much! Thank you for your stunning photos, I love Cornwall so much and sad not to have been for a year or two. Next year ... Hopefully!

    Thanks for the lovely comment on my walk post. The running thing has really been a revelation. I'm absolutely not built for it at all and haven't run since high school! Keeping at it has been easier than I thought, I'm not religious about it but I think you've definitely got to want to try, that's most the battle.

    I started with an app from The Guardian, beginner's guide to running or something which was ace. I've found going out early on 3 week day morning has been best way for me. The weather's been so kind this spring and summer that getting half an hour early hasn't been too hard. Kit on, teeth brushed, out the door Nd back home for when everyone is getting up. I have a rest at the weekend when Woody goes out for long runs. I'm too whacked after work to do anything in the evenings!

    Must confess I've not been out this week as suffering with knee problem since the walk but will be back out there soon. Just try and find a small little window to fit it in, don't feel you have to commit to anything too heroic and just try. All the best with it and have a great weekend xx Steph (sorry for rambling!)

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  13. Absolutely stunning! I would really love to go back to Cornwall one day.

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  14. I think you took some wonderful shots of the butterflies. And, as someone who'll soon be visiting, I've added godrevy to my list of places. X

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  15. beautiful photography Leanne, amazing to catch the butterflys like that! X

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