Trip to Cornwall  September 2009

On Friday 18^th September 16 members set off to Cornwall for a weekend of dowsing and fellowship. On the journey south west we called in at Glastonbury for lunch and hoped to have time to look around, but due to traffic problems had to cut our visit short. We stayed on the outskirts of Plymouth which was convenient for our trips to the countryside.

On Saturday morning we went to the village of Minions, where we first looked at the museum which is in a former engine house for the South Phoenix mine. There was an interesting display about the making of the local landscape from prehistoric times. We then went to the Hurlers stone circles nearby and spent some time dowsing the area. The Hurlers consists of three aligned circles running NNE to SSW with several stones, some still standing, and with the added interest of the Mary and Michael lines crossing in the central circle. After lunch in the local cafés some of the party then walked to the Cheesewring. On the way we saw Rillaton Barrow where the 3000 year old Rillaton gold cup was found in 1837 by workmen. The Cheesewring is a pile of granite slabs (which look like an old fashioned cheese wring or press) balanced precariously on top of a hill not far away, with wonderful views over the surrounding countryside, with many abandoned mines and their engine houses and chimneys close by. The Cheesewring overlooks a quarry which is popular with climbers. The Michael line runs through the site.

When we met back at the minibus we decided to visit the village of St Neot. This was a very attractive place with an interesting church, beautifully kept with flowers to welcome the visitor at both entrances to the churchyard. We dowsed the energy lines and colours in the lines. In the churchyard we found an ancient carving on top of a cross shaft of the Trinity – God the Father supporting the cross on which His son hangs, His beard looking very like a dove for the Holy Spirit. Then we went to the Holy Well, a short walk away, which was renowned throughout Cornwall at one time, where several members bathed their feet in the water. It was an idyllic spot, calm and welcoming, and we all appreciated this special place.

On Sunday we started the day by going to Trethevy Quoit, which is an ancient burial chamber. There was a good atmosphere here and we all dowsed various energies and found what seemed to be a protective circle round the chamber. Our second place of interest was St Cleer Well, but the energy was not so good here and the water no longer flows. Close behind the well is a modern house and we wondered if the building of this stopped the flow of the water through the well.

After lunch we visited King Doniert’s Stone which was in a lovely spot with wonderful views. In fact there are two ancient stones here, decorated with interlacing patterns and with a Latin inscription, very difficult to read, which translates as ‘Doniert begs prayers for the sake of his soul’. We travelled further west to Lostwithiel hoping to visit the church where there is an interesting font with a gargoyle on it, and where the Mary and Michael lines cross, but the church was closed.

We also hoped for a cream tea but we were unlucky in that respect also. However, one member told me not to worry as something would turn up, and sure enough someone told us where to get a cream tea and we ended up in a delightful spot on the River Fowey, where the church of St Winnow stands just above the water, and where we had the best cream tea ever, with a choice of home made jam! The church had some lovely carving on the ends of the pews and some beautiful old windows, and a wander along the river’s edge was delightful. We sat in the warm sun and let the spirit of the place take us over.

Monday brought our homeward journey but we hadn’t finished our exploring just yet. We first went to Brentor, a church on top of an outcrop of rock, which is over the border in Devon. This small church can be seen for miles around and is dedicated to St Michael. The building is only used during the summer months as there is no heat and only gas lighting. The climb was quite steep, but we all got to the top and were rewarded with another wonderful view and an interesting church. There are ramparts lower down the Tor and the site is obviously very old. The Mary and Michael lines cross within the ramparts. A short distance away we came to the village of Lydford where there is a castle full of dark energies but next door is the church of St Petroc with a very different feel to it, full of light and peace. St Petroc we found carved on the reredos with his wolf at his side. We had an early lunch in the village inn and then set off for home.

The weekend was characterised by good weather and sunny people with no hint of complaint and happy to do whatever was suggested. We grew in our dowsing capabilities and in our friendship with one another. Thank you to our two drivers who took us safely there and back, negotiating the Cornish lanes, with hedges brushing each side of the vehicle, with ease.

Photos