Two trips to Penzance today, to see Scillonian III leave on her last trip of the year and then, I noticed that she was returning early to catch the tide so I went back this afternoon.

Took this from the footpath - if only I was taller !

Keith and Julie returning from what was probably their last trip on Louby this year as the forecast for next week is looking really bad !

Hi Keith

Model boat racing

I arrived in the Harbour car park to find these model boats racing around a course on the far side. They really were fast !

Scillonian III - the return !

As I saw her leave Penzance this morning and I thought that as she was returning early, in daylight I'd go and see her arrive back.

Busy out on deck, to observe their arrival

Round she goes straight into the harbour alongside Albert Pier

There's still the usual "find your luggage" chaos

All safe and sound moored against the Albert Pier - I gather she will be moved into the wet dock next week.

Gry Maritha looking smart in the wet dock after her recent visit to the dry dock. It's up to her and her "hardy crew" to keep the Islands supplied with the necessities of life all winter.

Little Egrets on Marazion Marsh

A lot of preening going on

St Michaels Mount

Good to see the castle in all it's glory now that all the scaffolding has gone

Scillonian III

Scillonian III leaving Penzance this morning on her last trip of the year.
I gather it's Dave Pascoe's last journey as Captain today
She's returning early in order to berth against Albert Dock to shelter from the incoming bad weather.

The latest group of "Save Battery Rocks" Protesters

Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible !

A really nasty day - very wet fog right from the start and rain & fog this afternoon.

After quite a bright start, it was downhill all the way again.

An afternoon visit to Porthleven

When the weather is wild and coming from the South this is a favourite spot to take photos as the waves can splash right up the church on the corner.

We had to watch where we were walking as there were lots of these on the footpath

When we were last close to these engine houses at the old Wheal Trewavas Copper Mine they were in the middle of major work and one was covered in scaffolding. Must get back on a better day than today !

The view looking West towards Rinsey Head

A murky shot of the wild coast along from Porthleven to The Lizard. The large building right on the coast used to be The Tye Rock Hotel - I've just looked it up and it is now a very expensive holiday rental rented out via a company called The Wowhouse Company - some of their properties are really amazing !

The inner harbour, Porthleven

Just as we got back to the car this little fishing boat was heading in with the usual followers

As it turned into the outer harbour all the Gulls flew off and it came past us heading for the inner harbour

Poppy

The day after the Annual Poppy Appeal was launched in the Southwest, I spotted this nice and aptly named yacht out for a trip around the bay today.

Spotted this Navy vessel out on the horizon - not listed on the AIS but could have been a carrier !

This was as close as the sun got to us today !

The mild, damp days of Autumn encouraging the fungi to grow

George watching us head out for our walkies from the upstairs window in St Pirans Cottage

Harvesting the Maize !

At last the guys arrived to harvest the fields of Maize - it was done with military like prescision - all very efficient and very fast !
The first row around the edge of the field the combine towed it's own trailer - not a good place for someone with allergies.

I'd been wondering what kind of combine would be needed - phew it's the thing of nightmares - especially for any of the wildlife that had made a happy home in the Maize.

Precision work keeping both vehicles level

Several of the huge American John Deere tractors were being used - not the best thing to meet on a narrow lane !

Empty one waiting to take over as they come up the hill

Where have all the huge plants gone !

Rather a gloomy Mounts Bay as we walked down the hill

Penzance from Marazion

I didn't realise it was going to be so windy again today and unfortunately by the time I arrived home dark clouds had covered the blue and that's the way it stayed - shame !

Over the Road !

Nothing very exiting at Marazion Marsh today. Just this Meadow Pipit, a Wagtail and Little Egrets.

This cheeky Pied Wagtail kept bobbing about in front of me - obviously wanted to be on the blog !

A total of eight Little Egrets on the front of Marazion Marsh - these were all together on a little island and the others were spaced out along the waters edge.

Proper Pasties !

The field next to us has had the fleece cover removed and these large Swedes gathered a few at a time for the local Pasty makers.

Jim & Nick's walk with the dogs on the beach

These Oystercatchers are often on the beach and never seem to be bothered by all the people and dogs - if they are disturbed they soon return

After the promised rain overnight, it has been a fine and bright if windy day.
I've kept myself busy painting the 11ft high walls in the Pool House, which is beginning to look quite presentable !

Jim walked the dogs down to the beach and I followed on in the car, after cleaning my brushes and washing the paint off myself ! As I arrived at the beach I though I'd timed it badly as the sun went behind this cloud. Fortunately it soon came out again as it slowly dropped behind the Penwith Moors.

It's half term and some of the visitors have been very creative !