Saturday

Rather cool and damp yet again, Jim took the dogs up the hill

 Not much you can say, other than he was pleased to get home without getting wet !

Spotted a Crow arrive at the "jacuzzi!

Hopped out rather sharply - must have been really cold and I suspect that this is one of this years juveniles

Looks like it had a wild night last night !  

We've all been there !

I went off to Porthleven as they had a Craft Fair there today and I was on the usual search for something different for Christmas presents

The Harbour protected from the worst of the Winters storms by these hefty Baulks. 

On the 5th February 2014 the harbour defences in Porthleven gave way to the torrential beating from sea. Ten boats sank in Porthleven harbour, and many fishermen lost floats, nets and crab pots when huge waves crashed through into the inner harbour. Work had already been impossible due to the extreme, on-going weather conditions and then the storms destroyed their means to catch.
The storm of 2013/ 2014 lasted for six months. During that difficult time, the Charity the Fishermen’s Mission (www.fishermensmission.org.uk

), supported fishermen and their families. It was soon decided by the trustees and the board, that support was needed urgently. Payments of up to £500 would be given to fishermen upon the receipt of one household bill in arrears. Over £110,000 was given to fishing families in the South West alone.
The Porthleven baulks, individually are two tonnes of wood bolted together and with substantial metal caps. They are lifted into the harbour entrance by a crane. As a resident of Porthleven and a Regional Fundraising Manager for the Fishermen’s Mission (in Cornwall) I would walk past the boat yard and look on at the broken pieces of the harbour defenses and often think of the storms. An idea formed, permission to use the wood was granted and the Porthleven Baulk Project was launched.
We have a team of dedicated volunteers working on the project tirelessly. They are Leigh Santi, Rita Collier, Pat Hosking, Bel Higgs, Suzie Williams, Barbara Powell, John Winterton and Louise Winterton. We are working with many creative people to make innovative items from the broken baulks, which will then be sold at an auction in aid of the Charity.
At least 80 artists have already agreed to paint on to the wood (in canvas cut sizes). Others are working with the wood to create mosaics, etchings, ceramic and glass. Craftspeople are creating items of furniture. Each piece will have a letter of signed authenticity to prove that these pieces are from the Porthleven baulks.
The auction will be held on 18th March of next year (2017) in the Atlantic Inn, Porthleven with an online auction as well. All the pieces will be on display at the Lifeboat House from the 4th to the 10th March 2017.
This is a unique opportunity to support The Fishermen’s Mission by purchasing not only a piece of social history but a celebration of enduring talent.

Looking over to The Ship Inn

The Institute - so often seen in photographs of stormy seas 

Went into this super cafe across the Harbour from The Ship Inn - was pleased to see that not only were they open, but they allowed dogs inside - always good to know.