The Hurlers

Walking towards Caradon Hill

Although Lottie was up early she did not want a long walk just enough to do what was necessary. Steve was relieved.

Ruined mine building

Yesterday we agreed with Chelle to meet up at Minions for a walk, as Chelle has never been there. As it was a 10:30 meet up we had a leisurely breakfast. However, heavy showers are forecast for today, so we might get rained off.

We arrived before Chelle and gave Lottie a quick walk around. The sky was cloudy and we could see heavy showers in the distance, but hoped they would not come our way.

By the time Chelle arrived it had started to look very much like rain. One of the first things Steve did was to explain to the children that some of the large puddles were very deep and they were not to go in them. 

And another nearby mine

Other than that they were free to splash about as they wanted. They liked the open space to run around in and did not mind the wet ground.

The oldest girls were keen to search out the Hurlers circles. These stone circled are three in a line. The middle one is larger with most of its stones standing.

They also quickly spotted the two larger standing stones known as the Pipers.

Boggy grass and puddles

Asher enjoyed jumping in the puddles and seeing the sheep. At one puddle I think Asher was considering splashing in it when Steve told him that it was deep. Just then Lottie came along and stepped in the puddle and the water came up to her neck, if not a bit higher. Asher and the girls were all surprised just how deep such a small puddle could be!

Hurlers ahead!

We were a few hundred yards from the car park and we could see the rain heading our way, so we started back to the vehicles as quickly as we could. Unfortunately we were not quick enough as two of the children lagged behind.

Waiting for them we all got caught in the rain. As we all had waterproof coats it was not too bad. From Minions we all went back to Chelle’s as our cottage was not big enough for so many visitors.

Once the shower had stopped it brightened up again. The rest of the day was similar, heavy showers and rain. Back at Chelle’s we had lunch and watched a film.

One of the stone circles

Mid afternoon Lottie asked to go for a walk. Steve only intended going to the field and the only one who realised this was happening was the four year old who asked if she could come. Steve said yes, as the others were not around.

They had a sunny walk to the field, but a very dark cloud blew across from Newquay – they were going to get wet.

Thankfully when the rain started they were on the side of the field where there were some trees. The downpour was instant and very heavy worrying Naomi who started cry. Steve had little time to explain how we were going to keep dry, as they had no water proof clothing, so he just picked her up and carried her under the trees, explaining they would act like an umbrella.

tree canopy equals

The only problem was that Steve had had to run along a narrow track through brambles to the trees and carrying Naomi on slippery uneven ground was not easy. At one point he slipped, but just managed to keep his balance. 

...tree umbrella

Lottie just followed Steve as he has sheltered like this before. Neither hound nor child liked the heavy rain, but both stayed dry under the trees, even thought the rain was very heavy.

After about 5 minutes the torrential rain stopped and the sun shone again. Once out on the field it was lovely and warm and we soon dried off on the walk home.

Meanwhile at home Chelle wondered what we ought to do as she knew Naomi might get worried. We were surprised that the walkers were all dry.

We agreed to have a day on our own tomorrow as Chelle and family had parties morning and afternoon and come over late afternoon to say goodbye to the children.

We went back to the cottage for a rest and dinner.