Thursday 18 September 2014

Morwellham Quay, Devon.


One of us in the cottage has a birthday this week.
We normally spend the Soggibottom carpenter's special day on a day out. This year the weather forecast for the 20th of September gives rain. On a whim we decided if we were going out for the day, we may as well go when it was dry, even if the trip out was a few days early.
We didn't feel the need to drive far this year so decided on a trip to Morwellham Quay, Devon side of the river Tamar.


Morwellham Quay is a living history museum. A place we were going to take our grandson Jake on his visit to Soggibottom during the school holidays, as usual time ran away with us. A week isn't long enough to finish the "to do" list.


Morwellham lies in a secluded valley beside the river Tamar. To know more about the history I would have to spend more time and read more of the signs and displays on show. Read more books about the place. A few hours really isn't long enough to know the real history, so best I give you a link to MORWELLHAM QUAY. That way I won't get my facts wrong.

I can show you some of our own photo's.

There are mines all around Devon and Cornwall. Tin mines and copper mines. Morwellham is a copper mine. The miners at Morwellham even diversified at the end of the mines life and brought up Arseno pyrite.


After the pyrite had been through a few processes it was refined to what you and I would know as Arsenic.


The display of part of the chemistry lab.
We enjoyed poking around, okay I should have said meandering. Kids are back at school and it was a quiet day at Morwellham, we poked around, enjoyed getting into every nook and cranny.


Before you ask, no, Soggibottom does not have dust like this under the beds or a chamber pot.
I have to go back to mend the tear in that beautiful bedspread, also clean all the cottage windows, anyone want to give me a hand about the dust ?
I'm sure it's been a busy Summer this year. There have been other things to do apart from dust.
The people who lived here would have been hard at work most of the day, not worrying about dust. Everyone worked. Kids, women and never a great place to be working down a mine. The whole place was covered in dust from the work that went on here.


There are some really good displays around the museum.


In the village shop, maybe you should blow the dust off before you take a bite from the sugar mice.



Think twice about going to the bathroom.  Someone has a rat or mouse problem.


The Victorian Farm T.V programe was filmed at this very spot,  they then followed it up by an Edwardian Farm. I can't imagine what it must have been like to film and keep visitors through the doors here at the same time.

 

Morewellham also has lovely people who dress in costume and really know their history and enjoy passing on their knowledge.


Morwellham on a quiet day was perfect for us, and perfect for Freya as it gave her the chance to go places she should never have been.


Climbing on the displays is a no, no.
That's our beloved Cavalier, she is fearless, she even went down the copper mine and never batted an eye or in Freya's case an ear.
It has to be mentioned, she did take a great interest in the cake display at Ruth's cottage.


Fearless Freya can be found over at her blog Cat Flap Cavalier. 

She really didn't touch the display, after her five week diet from tubby dog to sleek noble lady, she probably would have gobbled up given half the chance. I can see her mouth watering.  

Freya, Norse for noble lady, or as she is sometimes known around Soggibottom cottage, Freya the red, Freya the greedy, Freya the brave, Freya the fearless. Freya the mutt, Freya our shadow, Freya our beloved dog.


We took far too many photo's for one post, so see you soon.
Unless you are already bored and have started to yawn. :-) x x x

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey, never bored, love the history, nice to look back were one came from!

WoolenSails said...

What a fun place to visit, love historical sites and visiting them.

Debbie

Tweedles -- that's me said...

We love your photos! Thank you for taking the time to share them. We of course would never be able to see all the beauty and the history.
You write beautifully,,, You could be a writer in a hostoric magazine or book- that's how well you write.
We love all those words that describe Freya too!
love
tweedles

Sue said...

I love places like that. I enjoyed that TV programme.

Fab photo of the bird.

Unknown said...

Nice one. We too love visiting historical sites. Have a tremendous Thursday.
Best wishes Molly

Molly the Airedale said...

What a fun, fun, fun adventure! Lucky you, Freya!

Love ya lots♥
Mitch and Molly

Joanna said...

Keep it on the to do list for Jake's next visit; he'd probably like it. Happy Birthday, Soggibottom resident!

stellaroselong said...

You have the coolest pictures and we loves going on those walks wif you. We feel like we are right there beside you.
stella rose

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

A wonderful outing!! I am so very glad you shared it!

~Laurie~ said...

Loved all the photos! And good Freya not gobbling up the displays!

Mary Ann Tate said...

I'm watching the Edwardian Farm at the moment. I saw it when it was on the first time but I'm really enjoying seeing the show again.

Chatty Crone said...

Thank you for a good history lesson. You know I just went in yesterday for some genetic counseling - and they asked our heritage - I have English on both sides. sandie

How Sam Sees It said...

What a beautiful day! I'd love to explore there.

Monty and Harlow

Allie said...

That looks like a lovely place!! Happy Birthday to Tony!