Saturday 2 March 2024

After a very comfortable night in our house, with the fire burning and underfloor heating working, a very comfortable bed and a modern bathroom with rain head shower, we plan our foray into Cornwall, looking for churches and graveyards. Joanne has sent through very detailed research on Lady P’s relatives on her maternal side - surname 'Thomas'.

First stop was Truro, a decent sized town with a market. In 5 degrees and some intermittent rain and hail, we peruse the market, buy some salt and then locate the Cornwall Family History Society, looking for information on the “Thomas,’” who were mine captains back in the 1700-1800’s. Apparently, a mine captain was a fairly important chap. They (the Thomas’ lads) were pretty religious too, in the Methodist way.

We are now heading into the country in search of mine sites, churches and the like. This means ‘B’ roads. Lady P is driving of course, and still arguing with the GPS. She is having difficulty with ‘yards’. Flashy patiently reminds her that they are just like metres, so ‘a quarter of a mile’ does not mean turn now!

So, with that sorted, we head down the very narrow country roads. They are sealed, but only one small, skinny car wide, with two metre high embankments intertwined with Hawthorn hedges. As the GI’s discovered in similar country in Normandy, in WW2, a bloody great tank can’t even budge those hedges. They were designed for peasants with wheelbarrows, not ‘hullo governors’ in tractors with huge forks on the front, nor ‘hooray henrys’ in their BMWs.

So, what happens when two vehicles, travelling at 30 mph, come face to face?

Luckily, there are small cut outs in the side of the road, every few yards, just enough for one vehicle to pull over half an inch from the body work destroying Hawthorn thorns, so the other vehicle can pass with side mirror destroying precision and, Bob’s your uncle, we’re away again.

Guess who’s sitting in the death (passenger) seat, screaming, ‘we’re all gona’ die!!?”

I must say though, the locals seem to have this down pat. As soon as they spot us, they flash their headlights, hit the brakes and pull over – even if they have to reverse back to one of those tiny cuttings, thus allowing us to pass.

I was wondering why this was so, but realised they spotted the pale, petrified expression on Flashy’s face and the grim white knuckle determination on Lady P’s. They smile nicely and raise their fingers off the wheel in a little wave as we pass. I suppose you get used to it. Very tiring though.

The full details of our expedition chasing relatives is recorded by Lady P. Suffice it to say, we had an enjoyable ramble to mine sites operated by the Thomas mine captains; had a traditional lunch break of scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam and a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich on soft brown bread; found the local Methodist church where they worshiped (now closed); and then the (still open) Church and graveyard where a couple of the relatives were buried. This was quite moving and very good luck (backed up by Jo’s good research). The sun was shining and the temp back to 8c.

Feeling pleased with our efforts, we drove through Bolenowe, where some of them lived and on more of those lovely ‘B’ roads towards home.

After driving through two flooded sections of a remote country road (almost hear the banjos playing and with water up to the gunnels), we decided to ignore the GPS and head home on the 'A' road, even if it took 5 minutes longer.

This of course, took us past a nice little pub with a shop attached, where we acquired some excellent Cornish ham, chutney, wine and a home made pasty, which we will have for dinner.

With a fine ear for language, Flashy heard ‘Par-s-te’ and ‘Pas-ti’ The latter more common closer to London you are. The former said with a broad Cornish accent, and for most folks ‘round ‘er - somewhere in between. Isn’t that fascinating?

Home to our fire, some catching up with events at home, as one of our lot has had a little hospital visit and to the pasty with mashed potato and ham and eggs for Lady P.

Research
Old mine site

Cornwall typical sight
Another plaque














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