National Trust - Fowey Estuary — Attraction in Fowey

This photograph is from Sunday, and a short walk around the ancient harbour town of Fowey in Cornwall. Here there is a deep natural harbour that is now a very popular tourist destination. During the day it is a hive of activity, but I managed to start my walk at 6:00am, and mooch around the town in total peace and tranquility.

I had my dog Bella with me for company, and we made our way to the town quay, from where this photograph was taken. Walking onto the quayside, we were greeted by this wide open vista, with a view looking out towards the mouth of the Fowey estuary and on to the open sea.

The skies were crystal clear, with a slight pink glow over towards the horizon, gradually merging upwards into a steel blue sky above. This time of day is so special, so valuable. Viewing a place when no one else is around gives such an interesting perspective. Much more detail comes into view; without the visual and audible distractions from people on their daily business, this is a rare opportunity to see the raw beauty that abounds. I could stare at the scene for hours. It’s like a work of art from the grand master that is nature, on display in my own private museum.

We sit on a bench for a while. Bella snuffles and sniffles the ground for a few minutes, before flopping down at my feet, resigned to resting a while. I scan the estuary for signs of life. The boats are all anchored, bobbing gently on the gently undulating surface water. Sunlight glints catch my eye. The myriad of colours is always special in a harbour view. I look at the variety of boats, wondering how much pleasure they will have bought their owners, and how many adventures they may have been on. Looking over towards the opposite hillside, the houses of Polruan seem to fill the entire landscape, with hardly a gap in between. Yet all seem to be sleeping still.

The water looks relatively calm and inviting. It’s at times like this I wish I could swim really well, and get a water level view of the scene. I imagine the sense of freedom would be exhilarating. I’ll settle for the view from the passenger ferry, later in the week. From there the scale of the estuary will be truly revealed.

How quickly time passes. The bells of the church tower, marking the half hour, wake me from my meditative observing, and I can tell that both Bella and I are in need of breakfast. We take a last view of the quayside, and savour the peace and tranquility one last time. If I return a few hours later the scene will be very different; still very much to be appreciated, but without the solitude it won’t seem as though the picture was painted solely for me. It’s a scene that stays in my heart for the rest of the day. It’s a scene that I can’t put a price on. How lucky I have been. I’ve passed through a special moment in time.

From the quayside we have a short walk up a steep hill, which takes us out of the town. I stop briefly along the way to peek into the various shop windows. There’s a vintage jewellery shop that attracts my attention. I love looking at the various items, wondering what their history is, who had the pleasure of wearing them, and what events brought them to rest in this particular shop window, waiting for a new owner. I wonder what stories lie behind them.

I’m looking forward to doing a lot more walking this week, searching out new views, spending time looking at everything that nature has to offer. Hopefully I’ll do some exploring of familiar haunts, and maybe find a different perspective to view them from. A different perspective is always welcome.

Sunday was a good start. I loved the early morning colours - these are the colours I choose to...

Fowey town was a nice afternoon out in the sunshine. Plenty of pubs and bakery’s to grab a drink and food.

There is also the Tarquins gin shop for all your gin needs. They were doing 2 bottles for £89 when we went.

There is a secret little thoroughfare to the sea which is nice. The views from the square across the bay are nice.

There is no vehicular access to the town unless you are resident / business. However, there is a large car park run by Cornwall council at the top of the hill. Usual council car park costs of £6.80 for 4 hours. Sliding scale prices.

The hill in to fowey is steep. However there is a bus that runs from the car park. £1 in and £2...

We visited yesterday and wow I loved it we only live In st austell and I felt like a tourist we went kyaking for 3 hours saw some jelly fish had a ice cream had a walk around and it was all beautiful were so lucky to live close by the roads are very narrow tho have that in mind when visiting we...