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I wondered about Richard Hammond's favourite tree in the Lake District.
He was talking about it on the radio this afternoon.
It was the place his mind took him when he was in a near death experience.
A four minute extract of him by "his" tree can be watched at https://youtu.be/_BYQLDU9xhI
It raises interesting questions.
Where would your mind take you?
What is it about this piece of beach and coast that draws so many people to it?
Did John Betjeman catch this place when he wrote:
"In-coming tide, Atlantic waves.
Slapping the sunny cliffs,
Lark song and sea sounds in the air.
And splendour, splendour everywhere."
I know and understand why Pentire Point may be "the" favourite place for many people. Or perhaps a place on the walk up to it?
The gold by the Beach Art is from the setting sun. I always say that my daughter came up with the concept of the golden hour but she tells me that it is common knowledge.
Yes, apparently everyone knows about it as I have just googled a piece from adobe which says :
The last hour before sunset and the first hour after sunrise are coveted by professional photographers. Referred to as “the golden hour” or “magic hour,” these times provide the perfect light to capture stunning photos. Learning to harness the power of the golden hour is a tool every photographer can use.
There’s the Chelsea Flower Show (23 to 27 May) with tickets starting at just under £50 and then there’s the Polzeath/Pentire Flower Show that’s on right now with free fresh air tickets.
Sea Campion, Thrift, Squill and even Scurvy-grass if you want to top up with a free dose of Vitamin C.
Actually the path down to Pentireglaze Haven from the NT carpark at Pentireglaze is now flanked by tall Black Mustard plants which are also packed full of Vitamin C. Like the smaller Scurvy-grass it could have saved hundreds of lives at sea before they thought of limes and lemons. If only the sailors had realised the life saving qualities of those yellow flowers and packed some onboard to ward off scurvy life at sea would have been a lot safer.
The "mustard" in its name is there for good reason and even one small nibble can make your mouth explode and it's best added to salads or other dishes to spice them up rather than as a main meal in itself!
Ever wondered why snails are chomping through the Alexanders on the coast at such an amazing rate at this time in May?
Smyrnium olusatrum (Alexanders) is a herbaceous perennial plant native now to much of the coast path. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine, and to the Romans who were stationed at places in Cornwall no doubt was a popular food plant.
The Romans were particularly fond of Alexanders, Smyrnium olusatrum, and they enjoyed them in a variety of ways. One of their favourite ways was to eat them raw, as a salad green. The leaves have a slightly bitter taste that is balanced by their refreshing, slightly peppery flavour which you can taste later in their black seeds. Alexanders can also be cooked, and was used as a flavouring agent in soups, stews, and sauces. They can also be pickled or preserved in oil and I have used them in my award challenged attempts at winning the Pasty World Championships held at the Eden Project.
In North Cornwall, the Romans would have gathered Alexanders in April and early May, when the leaves were young and tender. They would have washed the leaves thoroughly and then eaten them raw, dressed with olive oil, vinegar, and salt. They might also have cooked the leaves, either by boiling them or by sautéing them in olive oil. Alexanders can also be used as a flavouring agent in soups, stews, and sauces.
Here is a recipe for a Roman-style Alexanders salad:
1 bunch of Alexanders, washed and trimmed
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Combine the Alexanders in a big bowl with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Mix them all together and eat straight away!
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