Thursday 2 April 2015

B is for Bewitching Breeches at Botallack …



Bewitching Breeches covering a Swashbuckler … a protagonist who is heroic and idealistic to the bone, who rescues Demelza, a damsel in distress.
 
Ross Poldark - first edition
(Ward Lock and Co)

Winston Graham’s books have hit the tv screen again and will no doubt hit the overseas screens too … BBC’s Poldark the 2nd series has started on tv …



A Buff Bottom is seen disappearing into a delightful cove … how many modern Bodice wearers have recently been unlaced?





World Heritage Mining Walk in Penwith (the far west
of Cornwall  (see Botallack south of Pendeen)





Some of Poldark 2015 was filmed at Botallack, while the Botallack Mining Walk goes through outstanding historic and industrial sites set in that coastal heathland, with its rare wild flowers, managed by the National Trust.





Porthgwarra Cove




Botallack Manor Farm was used as Ross Poldark’s home: Nampara.




The tiny Porthgwarra Bay was where the skinny dip took place – in Cornish: Porth Gorwedhow, meaning very wooded cove …



Botallack Mine engine houses


Botallack Mine forms part of the Crown Mine developments at St Just, very near Lands End.  The mine extends for about 400 metres under the Atlantic Ocean; the deepest shaft is 250 fathoms (about 500m) below sea level.

Botallackite mineral





Then there’s a Botallackite mineral.




That is B for Bewitching Breeches baring all briefly in a tiny Bay near Botallack on the Beautiful Granite Bluff where Botallackite can be mined … from Aspects of British Cornish …



Poldark details and information here at the Cornwall Today site.


Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

73 comments:

Fil said...

Loving the new Poldark series - and the scenery is good too :)
Brilliant info here Hilary. Have a lovely day.
Fil

Annalisa Crawford said...

I love the old mines around Cornwall - it's surprising how many have survived so close to the cliff edges.

Annalisa at Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep

Unknown said...

I'll have to keep my eyes open for Poldark to premiere in the US! Thank you for posting.

clarabellerant

Tasha Duncan-Drake said...

I like the sounds of bewitching breeches :) Some beautiful piccies you have there today.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

Bish Denham said...

Ooooo! My sister and I absolutely LOVED the first Poldark series. We watched it more faithfully than Upstairs, Downstairs. I hope this new series is done as well. It's nice to see where it was filmed and that the mines were real places...

Rosie Amber said...

The Botallackite mineral is such a lovely colour. Lovely choices for the letter B.

Nilanjana Bose said...

I will have to wait for yonks for that series too, no doubt. The fruit of waiting is sweeter..an idiom from my mother tongue..

Have gone from St Ives to Sennen Cove..by bus with kiddie in tow, not walking :) Unforgettable scenery, unforgettable journey, and my co-passengers kept me entertained with the local legends...I am so enjoying your posts, Hilary. Thanks for the great reads.

Best always,
Nila.
Madly-in-Verse

Elise Fallson said...

I've never read any of Winston Graham’s books, but they sound like a good read...And that botallackite mineral is beautiful, such a pretty green... Every time I come to your blog, it's like going on a trip and discovering something new. :) Have a good one Hilary!!!

Out on the prairie said...

Are these lead or tin mines? Lots all over it appears.

janice h said...

Love those glorious mineral deposits and that gorgeous wee bay, but I think you could have hit your all time blogging stats high with a photo of the new Ross Poldark's beautiful bod in the bay! ;)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Fil - it's fun to watch isn't and I love seeing the Cornish countryside - glad you enjoyed the info - thank you.

@ Annalisa - the old engine houses put their imprint on the landscape don't they .. and they are close to those granite cliffs .. and the workings could collapse in ... lots of fenced off areas.

@ Clarabelle - I'm sure it'll hit the headlines when it does get to the States - enjoy!!

@ Natasha - bewitching breeches - could have added a few other words too .. but kept it clean! Glad you enjoy the photos ..

@ Bish - I didn't see much of the first series as I played a lot of squash in those days. I think you'll enjoy this series ... lots of the countryside makes it special too .. and you can see the mines etc ..

@ Rosie - I was chuffed when I found the Botallackite mineral - just that little bit extra for the B post ..

@ Nila - the waiting will be sweeter I guess ... and a great idiom from your mother. I'm glad you made that trip by bus and were so well entertained by the Cornish along the way .. glad these postings are bringing back plenty of memories ..

@ Elise - Graham's books are a good read - the first tv series was much revered .. and I expect this one will be too. I was so pleased to find the Botallackite mineral ... it sort of looks crystal like ..

Delighted you enjoy coming to the post and always learn something ... it's good to know.

@ OOTP - early on they were tin workings - easy to work .. then copper was found, then that trade declined, and china clay came to the fore. Some mining is still done - using modern techniques .. and geological surveys are still made .. the dumps are being recycled to extract extra materials left ...

The county is covered in workings of various sorts ..

@ Janice - the Botallackite is special isn't it .. and the bay - lots of those coves around.

I could have hit a high with a picture of Ross' beautiful bod - but decided against it!!

Cheers to you all .. and thanks for your visit and comments - Hilary

Luanne G. Smith said...

Buff bottom got my attention. :D

Poldark hasn't started here yet, oh but I will be watching when it starts.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

A TV series? What a great thing. the Mine engine houses are the coolest things. I may want to live there--if they're not dirty with mine dust. hee hee.




Christine Rains said...

Bewitching breeches and buff bottoms! Some magnificent B words today. :) Lovely scenery.

Deborah Barker said...

A wonderful "B' post Hilary. I had hoped to do the A-Z challenge this year but will sit back and enjoy yours instead :-) X

Bob Scotney said...

There's no mistaking Botallackite for anything other tan a copper mineral.

If only the BBC would shut up the gushing woman who announces the programme and gushes more at the end!

Stephen Tremp said...

Europe has so many cool places to visit with amazing history. Thanks for taking us there one post at a time!

cleemckenzie said...

I'll save the series for May or June. I'd love to see it without having to dash off to post something on my blog! :-) Happy B Day.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I would be so terrified to go into a mine that goes under the sea. What views though from above.

Gattina said...

I have never heard of the "Poldark" series, maybe we have it here too, but under another French title.
Two days ago I just saw a reportage about the Botallack Mine, a very interesting place to see !

D.G. Hudson said...

I'm sure we watched that Poldark series in an earlier rendition. Loved it. We like the BBC and especially Masterpiece Theatre productions.
I also like that B-intensive paragraph. It rolls off the tongue easily. Enjoying your series, Hilary!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Hilary,

SO picturesque! It must be quite amazing to do the Heritage mining walk... I'd like to do it some day...

Wonderful theme and as always a very informative post. Thanks for sharing!

Jemima Pett said...

A great romp around Cornwall! Never knew about Botallackite, though :)

Jemima

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Those mine shafts go down a long way. I assume they are filled with water now?

Guilie Castillo said...

I love learning about Cornwall through your blog, Hilary. And thanks for the series recommendation; will be on the lookout for it. Happy A-to-Z-ing!

Sophie Duncan said...

I've been watching the remake of Poldark on the BBC. It's definitely swashbuckling at its best :) And Ross Poldark can buckle my swash any time he likes! ;P
Sophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles
FB3X
Wittegen Press

Rhodesia said...

Love the photo of the mine engine houses, bet it was a bit blustery out there. Great series. Happy Easter Diane

loverofwords said...

I think Poldark is coming here. Cornwall, a magical place, mysterious too, thanks to the De Maurier novels.

Jerralea said...

Gorgeous scenery - and you did well with all the B words!

Unknown said...

He unlaced her, but how on earth did she get that dressed laced up in the first place? :0)

Chrys Fey said...

That scenery is awesome! I'd love to see it with my own two eyes. :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Luanne - it was a good BB phrase I thought - I'm sure it will come along soon .. enjoy when it does ..

@ Teresa - yup the 2nd of them - re-done 35 years later .. but it's lovely. I'd suggest you don't try and live there - lots of sink holes, no roof and probably a lot of wind blowing around ... so not a terribly good thought!

@ Christine - glad you enjoyed the B phrases and the ideas they could conjure up ..

@ Debbie - thanks so much ... and I hope I can satisfy a Cornish lover .. and hope you will join us perhaps next year ..

@ Bob - I know the BBC announcers are painful ... they irritate the hell out of me too ..

It does stand out doesn't it - the Botallackite as a copper mineral.

@ Stephen - doing Cornwall is 'bad' enough - what do I put in and what do I leave out .. I'm just glad you're enjoying the tour around with me ..

@ Lee - can you get it now on your tv or cable or whatever! Yes - it's sensible to watch in peace - without the guilt feeling - help the blog!

@ Susan - I would hate to go mining .. I did go under in South Africa and that was a 'soft' one (i.e. easy for tourists) - really wasn't that happy .. my mother loved it!! The scenery is magnificent ..

@ Gattina - I'm sure you could get the series in English somehow - even on DVD. I'm glad you enjoyed the documentary about Botallack - I'd have liked to have seen it too ..

@ DG - yes I feel certain you'd have seen the first version. I don't know Masterpiece Theatre productions - but I see it's an American organisation - with some excellent actors participating. Delighted you're enjoying the series so far - thanks .. I enjoy writing the last para ...

@ Michael - good to see you. Yes Cornwall is special ... and that walk around the coastline is incredible - the whole coastal path is extraordinarily rich in scenery - I hope you can get over sometime. Delighted you're enjoying the theme .. thanks ..

@ Jemima - I hadn't heard of Botallackite - it must have come from the Scarves from Stones post I did in March .. fascinating site. Delighted you're enjoying the eclectic romp!!

@ Alex - they are deep - considering there was very little technical machinery around to help. I'm sure they'd be caved in or probably closed off for safety .. and almost certainly full of water at sea level.

@ Guilie - that's great - it'll be worth watching when it comes out ... and am delighted you're enjoying the Cornish tour with me ..

@ Sophie - yes I think us ladies are very happy with the new Poldark .. and I agree with your comment!

@ Diane - it is blustery out there .. many a day have I struggled to walk around - the wind whistles in.

@ Nat - I'm sure Poldark is on its way .. and Cornwall is very mysterious too .. du Maurier certainly added to the lore through her books

@ Carole Anne - I know how do they get dressed up .. with a lot of help and pulling and pushing!!

Thanks everyone .. delighted to see you all - cheers Hilary

Paula said...

Your posts continue to delight me!

Smidgen Snippets & Bits

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Chrys .. you slipped in before I realised .. I certainly hope you can come over and see our island and Cornwall in particular at some stage ..
Cheers - Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ and now you Paula - slipped under my radar .. but I'm so pleased you're enjoying the journey with me .. cheers Hilary

Patsy said...

I have a confession ... I don't fancy the Poldark actor. I seem to be the only person who doesn't. Do you think I need some kind of check up?

Diana Wilder said...

Another good one, Hilary! I love the photo of Porthgwarra Bay - allowing for the vagaries of photos on the internet, I wonder if the lovely color of the water is due to the color of the Botallackite mineral.
...and now I must go search for images from the New Poldark series!

Lisa said...

That second to the last sentence is a tongue twister with all those Bs! Too fun, and now I want to see this. I've never heard of Poldark, or read the book. Is the book better than the series?

Lisa said...

Oh, and I REALLY would love to do the Botallack Mining Walk on the coast someday...

holli said...

What a fun post!! I have never heard of that author or series. The picture of the cliff is gorgeous. I'm jealous of your worldly travels of London and South Africa.

TexWisGirl said...

the mineral is amazing!

Patricia Stoltey said...

I love the way you're doing your A to Z posts, Hilary. The wrapup sentence for B was fun to read aloud. :D

EvalinaMaria said...

Lovely post!
Evalina, This and that...

Julie Flanders said...

The title of this post is totally awesome all by itself. I've never heard of this series but I'm curious now, I'm going to keep an eye out for it here. Love the photo of the engine houses.

Jo said...

Not heard of the Poldark series, don't know if they are on in Canada. Never heard of Botallackite either. Looks rather attractive. Don't like the sound of the mine under the sea, mines are scary enough to me anyway. The blue of Porthgwarra Cove is delightful.

David P. King said...

Minerals fascinate me, but I've never heard of Botallackite. You learn something new every day! :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Patsy - I somewhat agree with you re the Poldark actor .. still he seems to be beguiling many. So no - you don't need a check up - you're fine! Carry on writing those winning entries ..

@ Diana - thanks - no the mineral is hard and won't dissolve as in the glacial melt waters. Just the waters can be amazing in the right light ..

I hope your search for the new Poldark was fruitful .. I'm sure they're there ..

@ Lisa - I hate to say I haven't read the book - I know I read one .. but also didn't see all of the first series - too busy playing squash or being out and about. Glad you enjoyed the closing sentence .. I enjoy writing those up!

The Botallack Mine walk is an amazing area ... stunning seas and coastline ..

@ Holli - ah - something to look out for - it will hit your screens sometime and then you'll see what I mean. I haven't really had worldly travels but have been lucky enough to travel to a few places ... I'd love to do Asia and Australia sometime - one day I might get there! I hope you can have some wanderlust travels sometime soon ..

@ Theresa - the Bottallackite is incredible in colour isn't it ..

@ Patricia - thanks so much ... I enjoy writing up my wrap up sentences .. they amuse me! Thank goodness you too ..

@ Evalina - good to see you ..

@ David - nor had I heard of Botallackite and now I'm not sure how I did either .. I expect it's in my notes somewhere!

Cheers to you all - thanks so much for the comments and visits - Hilary

M Pax said...

What a neat mineral. It looks like grass. Untethered Realms

Mark Koopmans said...

I remember the original series... wasn't it from the 70's or so?

And your "A Buff Bottom is seen disappearing into a delightful cove" line made me laugh out loud once I "got" it... I had to read the line twice and then remembered the delightfully English word for arse :)

Silvia Writes said...

So much green and beauty and water all in one place. Not to mention the resources. The picture of the cove is delightful, with that particular structure facing the water. Thank you, Hilary.

Nick Wilford said...

Everyone's raving about Poldark. I hope it brings good business to the area.

Sue McPeak said...

That was certainly a Bewitching Title and worth every read word learning about Botallackite...and the Swashbuckler's Bootie. So interesting about the mine engine houses sitting on the edge of the cliffs. Neat BOOK, too!
Sue at CollectInTexas Gal
AtoZ 2015 Challenge
Minion for AJ's wHooligans

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Interesting. Sorry I can't see this on TV. Yet. Thanks as always for your amazing posts!

Lisa said...

thank you Hilary for a wonderful post, I feel a little like I have time traveled

Marcy said...

Love learning more about your beautiful Cornwall. I'd love to visit someday. I'll have to look to see if I can find Winston Grahams books.

Gwen Gardner said...

Will have to look up the Poldark series. The BBC is my favorite channel. Would so love to visit Cornwall! Gwen Gardner from Untethered Realms! http://ungtetheredrealms.blogspot.com.

Sharon Himsl said...

Have not hear of this author or the series but imagine it will reach us eventually. You have such gorgeous scenery there. Stay the course, Hilary!

Connie Arnold said...

You certainly used a good supply of interesting B words, Hilary! I enjoyed your post and the lovely photos!

Angela Brown said...

I'm beyond thrilled by the beauteousness on display, from the bravo worthy rolling hills to the brilliant white caps crashing ashore.

Rhonda Albom said...

Brilliant Bs, but the best (in my opinion) was the bright color of the Botallackite.

Manzanita said...

Oh goodness, I recall the Poldark series. It was a time when I still read fiction and my bridge club passed the books around and it was our main conversation (besides bridge, that is).
An interesting B, Hilary

Empty Nest Insider said...

I will also stay tuned for the Poldark series to premiere here, Hilary!

Julie

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Mary - to me it looks like green asbestos .. but that doesn't conjure up much happiness does it. But it looks an amazing mineral - one I'd like to see in real life ..

@ Mark - yes I think the first series was mid to late 70s .. I know I didn't see much of it! Glad you appreciated my English buff bottom! As you can imagine .. it's sending shock waves through the sitting rooms of England!

@ Silvia - Cornwall gets a lot of rain, but with all the wind the trees struggle - they lope towards the north east!! So pleased you enjoyed the cove, the mining engine house ..

@ Nick - Poldark could be a boon or a pain ... too many visitors .. still it will bring economic help too ...

@ Sue - so pleased you enjoyed my 'Bs' ... the series will be fruitful for the Beeb! Bewitching Poldark certainly is ..

@ Monti - it will be coming to your screens - just happy you enjoy them ..

@ Lisa - glad you feel like you're in Cornwall with me .. that's great ..

@ Marcy - I hope you can get over to see Cornwall in its real and rural settings - it's a place of its own. The Graham books are there .. enjoy them ..

@ Gwen - Poldark will be coming across the Ocean - at some stage - I don't know how long before they take to transfer over. I hope you can visit Cornwall one day (soon!) ..

@ Sharon - he's very Cornish in his writing .. and that first series in the 70s hooked us all back then (though I didn't see many of the episodes - I was out a lot). It's rugged and beautiful all at once ..

@ Connie - I enjoy doing the posts this way .. makes it fun for me ..

@ Angela - thanks so much for your comment - adding some more B words to the post ... interesting you mentioned white caps - see K anon!

@ Rhonda - thanks .. I was so pleased I found Botallackite .. it looks such an interesting mineral.

@ Manzanita - yes that series was some years ago wasn't it!! How fantastic that it was part of your reading group at the Bridge Club - I hope you enjoy the new tv series when it comes out ..

@ Julie - You'll enjoy the series and will be well worth waiting for ...

Cheers everyone thanks so much for all your comments and thoughts - Hilary

Susan Scott said...

I'll be re-reading this Hilary thank you, lovely use of B.. I love that Botallackite stone ..

Sara C. Snider said...

Brilliant and beautiful. :)

Stephen Tremp said...

I haven't heard of the Poldark series. I'll have to look for it.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Susan - that's great ... I'm so pleased I found that mineral ... it's proved a hit ..

@ Sara - many thanks ..

@ Steve - I'm sure Polkark will be hitting your distributors screens soon .. I'm sure it's not available yet - soon definitely ..

Cheers Hilary

Maria said...

I am curious as to how the rest of the 72 stained glass windows look like ...

Michelle Wallace said...

When I read Botallackite mineral, I thought of stalactites and stalagmites... wonder if it's linked in any way? It's really pretty.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Maria - I've no idea I'm afraid .. but I obviously need to find out.

@ Michelle - not like stalactites or Stalagmites .. as the mineral would have reacted with the chemical around as it was being created in the explosive atmosphere ...

But I agree it is so pretty isn't it - cheers Hilary

J Lenni Dorner said...

I'm loving that view! Pinned another pic from your blog. Had to share it with the world. Great job putting these posts together.

Sara said...

Hilary,

I loved this: "A Buff Bottom is seen disappearing into a delightful cove … how many modern Bodice wearers have recently been unlaced?" LOL

Your mood in the A-Z this time seems more lighthearted, but just as interesting.

I don't know if we get the Poldark series in the States...I haven't seen them on BBC, but I'll look for it.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Maria - I'm afraid I don't know - I hope to visit one day .. but the artist was very well known - Veronica Whall, whose father was very instrumental in the Arts and Crafts Movement. Veronica was a painter, an illustrator and very good at stained glass windows ...

@ J - thank you re the thumbs up for the blog ...

@ Sara - thanks I loved the idea for the B words ... yes I guess the subjects are less serious .. but some are definitely in the old vein.

The Poldark series is only just out - it'll get to the States soon enough ...

Thanks to the two of you - cheers Hilary